Tonka perfumes: 15 to try, from almond and coffee to fresh lavender

A good tonka perfume depends on what sits beside the tonka. This guide maps 15 of them by corner: almond and cherry, coffee and cacao, spice and rum, soft florals, and fresh lavender.

Tonka perfumes to try, corner by corner

One to four perfumes from each corner of the tonka map, in the order the guide presents them.

  1. 1
    Най-добър като цяло

    Tonka Bean

    Memo Paris

    Tonka bean alone in the heart, with vanilla, amber and sweet accords and a warm spicy edge.

    от 19,71 €3 ml

    Към избора
  2. 2

    La Petite Robe Noire

    Guerlain

    Sour cherry and almond over tea, licorice and rose, with vanilla, anise, tonka bean and iris below.

    от 8,37 €3 ml

    Към избора
  3. 3

    Rolling in Love

    By Kilian

    Almond milk and a powdery floral heart of iris and peony, over tuberose, vanilla, tonka bean and caramel.

    от 18,63 €3 ml

    Към избора
  4. 4

    Pegasus Exclusif

    Parfums de Marly

    Bitter almond and lavender over a base of vanilla, amber, tonka bean and sandalwood.

    от 8,64 €3 ml

  5. 5

    Coffee Break

    Maison Margiela

    Coffee, milk, benzoin and lavender in the heart, with tonka bean, cedar and vanilla beneath.

    от 8,01 €3 ml

    Към избора
Покажете всичките 12 избора
  1. 6

    Black Phantom

    By Kilian

    Rum, dark chocolate and coffee over caramel, sugar cane, vanilla and tonka.

    от 17,64 €3 ml

    Към избора
  2. 7
    Най-добър за зима

    Oajan

    Parfums de Marly

    Cinnamon, honey and osmanthus over benzoin, labdanum, musk, vanilla and tonka bean.

    от 9,18 €3 ml

  3. 8
    Най-добър пикантен избор

    Tonka Cola

    Mancera

    Cinnamon, cherry, lemon and cola over a base of tonka bean, vanilla, benzoin and labdanum.

    от 6,57 €3 ml

    Към избора
  4. 9
    Най-добър за вечер

    Tony Iommi Monkey Special

    Xerjoff

    Rum and passionfruit over patchouli, leather and rose, with caramel, vanilla, tonka bean and ambergris.

    от 15,93 €3 ml

    Към избора
  5. 10

    Musc Ravageur

    Frédéric Malle

    Lavender and neroli over cinnamon, cloves and orris root, with musk, vanilla, tonka bean and amber.

    от 15,93 €3 ml

    Към избора
  6. 11

    Y Le Parfum

    Yves Saint Laurent

    Apple and ginger over lavender, sage and geranium, with tonka bean, cedar and olibanum.

    от 8,19 €3 ml

  7. 12
    Най-добра стойност

    Luna Rossa Sport

    Prada

    Ginger and juniper over lavender, with vanilla and tonka bean at the base.

    от 7,29 €3 ml

    Към избора
В този наръчник

A good tonka perfume starts with one question: what do you want next to the tonka? Tonka is the warm, sweet base under many gourmand perfumes, and almond, coffee, spice, powder or fresh lavender decides where it goes. This guide maps 15 tonka perfumes by those corners, so you can choose a corner before you choose a bottle.

Tonka Bean by Memo Paris, La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain and Rolling in Love by By Kilian on a pale blue background

If you want the plain definition first, read what tonka bean is. Every perfume below lists tonka bean in its notes, and we offer each one in 3ml, 10ml and 30ml.

Бързо сравнение

Бързо сравнение: Гласове на общността
#ПарфюмОтличиеОсновни ноткиТрайностШлейфСезон3 ml10 mlна ml
1Tonka BeanMemo ParisНай-добър като цялоТонкаДълготрайнаСиленЕсен, Зима19,71 €62,64 €6,26 €
2La Petite Robe NoireGuerlainСладък корен, Роза, Роза от ТаифУмеренаУмеренЕсен8,37 €25,11 €2,51 €
3Rolling in LoveBy KilianФрезия, Хелиотроп, ИрисУмеренаУмеренЕсен18,63 €57,15 €5,72 €
4Pegasus ExclusifParfums de MarlyХелиотроп, Жасмин, ЛавандулаДълготрайнаСиленЕсен, Зима8,64 €24,84 €2,48 €
5Coffee BreakMaison MargielaБензоин, Кафе, ЛавандулаДълготрайнаСиленЗима, Есен8,01 €25,11 €2,51 €
6Black PhantomBy KilianБадем, Кафе, Тъмен шоколадДълготрайнаУмеренЗима17,64 €49,50 €4,95 €
7OajanParfums de MarlyНай-добър за зимаСива амбра, Артемизия, БензоинДълготрайнаСиленЗима9,18 €23,85 €2,39 €
8Tonka ColaManceraНай-добър пикантен изборCoca-Cola, Лист от индонезийски пачули, Портокалов цвятДълготрайнаУмеренЕсен, Зима6,57 €19,17 €1,92 €
9Tony Iommi Monkey SpecialXerjoffНай-добър за вечерБългарска роза, Канела, КожаДълготрайнаСиленЗима15,93 €42,30 €4,23 €
10Musc RavageurFrédéric MalleКанела, Карамфилче, Корен от ирисДълготрайнаСиленЗима15,93 €46,80 €4,68 €
11Y Le ParfumYves Saint LaurentЗдравец, Лавандула, Градински чайДълготрайнаУмеренЕсен8,19 €24,12 €2,41 €
12Luna Rossa SportPradaНай-добра стойностЛавандулаУмеренаУмеренПролет, Есен7,29 €19,08 €1,91 €
Покажете всичките 12 избора

Гласове на общността

How tonka changes from one perfume to the next

Tonka beans are the seeds of a tree called Dipteryx odorata, which is native to northern South America. They have a strong fragrance because they contain a lot of coumarin. In a perfume that reads as a warm, sweet base.

The partner notes do the steering. Almond and cherry make tonka fruity. Coffee and cacao make it dark. Cinnamon, honey and rum make it spicy. Musk and flowers soften it, and lavender gives it a fresh edge.

You can read the note on its own page: tonka bean. For the wider sweet map, our guide to gourmand perfumes covers other styles.

Start with the perfume named after the bean

Memo Paris Tonka Bean
Най-добър като цяло

Tonka Bean by Memo Paris

Средни нотки
Тонка
Час от деня
Вечер

Tonka Bean by Memo Paris is the plainest way to meet the note. Its only listed note is tonka bean, in the heart, and Aliénor Massenet composed it. The accords add vanilla, amber and sweetness, with an aromatic, warm spicy edge.

It is a niche, unisex perfume. Longevity votes from the community land on long lasting first, with eternal next. The sillage vote leans strong, with moderate behind it. Fall and winter top the season vote. Evening wear tops the occasion vote.

Tonka with almond and cherry

Almond brings a nutty note beside the tonka, and cherry adds a fruity one. These three perfumes show how far that pairing can travel.

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire

La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain

Връхни нотки
Бадем, Бергамот, Червени плодове, Вишна
Средни нотки
Сладък корен, Роза, Роза от Таиф, Чай
Базови нотки
Анасон, Ирис, Пачули, Тонка
Час от деня
Нощно излизане

La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain launched in 2012 for women. It opens on sour cherry and almond, with red berries and bergamot. Tea, licorice and rose come through in the middle. Vanilla, anise, tonka bean, patchouli and iris close it.

The result reads sweet, fruity and a little nutty. Community votes on its longevity lean moderate, then long lasting. Fall and winter are the seasons voters pick most often, and night is the occasion they pick.

By Kilian Rolling in Love

Rolling in Love by By Kilian

Връхни нотки
Бадемово мляко, Амбрета (мускусна ружа)
Средни нотки
Фрезия, Хелиотроп, Ирис, Божур
Базови нотки
Карамел, Лактони, Мускус, Тонка
Час от деня
Нощно излизане

Rolling in Love by By Kilian came out in 2019, also for women. Almond milk and ambrette open it. Iris, freesia, heliotrope, raspberry and peony make a powdery floral heart. Tuberose, vanilla, tonka bean, musk and caramel sit underneath.

It is a niche perfume, and the accords read vanilla, almond, floral and musky. Most community voters rate its longevity moderate. Most community voters put the sillage at moderate too. Fall and winter lead its season votes, while night and evening lead the occasion votes.

Pegasus Exclusif by Parfums de Marly

Pegasus Exclusif by Parfums de Marly is a 2020 extrait de parfum for men. Bergamot, pink pepper and bitter almond start it. Jasmine, lavender and heliotrope follow. Vanilla, amber, tonka bean, patchouli and sandalwood make the base.

Here the almond turns warm and powdery rather than fruity. Longevity votes lean long lasting, then eternal. Voters describe the sillage as strong first and moderate second. Fall and winter are the seasons voters choose most often, and evening is their occasion.

Tonka with coffee, cacao and caramel

Coffee, cacao and caramel sit beside the tonka in these three. These three go in that direction.

Maison Margiela Coffee Break

Coffee Break by Maison Margiela

Връхни нотки
Черен пипер, Портокалов цвят, Пачули
Средни нотки
Бензоин, Кафе, Лавандула, Мляко
Базови нотки
Кедър, Ванилия, Ветивер
Час от деня
През деня

Coffee Break by Maison Margiela launched in 2019 and is unisex. Black pepper, orange blossom and patchouli open it. Benzoin, coffee, lavender, milk and tonka bean sit in the heart. Cedar, vanilla and vetiver finish.

The accords read warm spicy, sweet, coffee and powdery, with a lavender thread. Voters lean long lasting on longevity, with moderate second. Sillage votes lean strong, then moderate. Winter and fall are the picks, and so are day and night.

By Kilian Black Phantom

Black Phantom by By Kilian

Връхни нотки
Ром
Средни нотки
Бадем, Кафе, Тъмен шоколад, Хелиотроп
Базови нотки
Карамел, Сандалово дърво, Захарна тръстика, Тонка
Час от деня
Нощно излизане

Black Phantom by By Kilian is a niche, unisex perfume from 2017. Rum opens it. Dark chocolate, coffee, almond and heliotrope form the heart. Caramel, sugar cane, sandalwood, vanilla, tonka and vetiver form the base.

Its accords read sweet, warm spicy, caramel, coffee, chocolate and rum. On longevity, the community vote leans long lasting, with moderate in second place. Sillage votes lean moderate, then strong. Winter is the season voters choose most often, and night the occasion.

Bad Boy Extreme by Carolina Herrera

Bad Boy Extreme by Carolina Herrera came out in 2022 for men. Bergamot, cacao, ginger and plum open it. Clary sage, incense and tonka bean make the heart. Davana, labdanum, opoponax, patchouli and vetiver sit below.

Cacao sits with incense and patchouli here, and the accords include warm spicy, amber, smoky and balsamic. Most community voters call its longevity long lasting. Most voters give its sillage a strong verdict. Winter and fall are the favoured seasons, and night and evening the favoured hours.

Tonka with spice, honey and rum

Spice and sweetness sit around the tonka in this corner. It has four perfumes, all of them listed for men or as unisex.

Oajan by Parfums de Marly

Oajan by Parfums de Marly is a niche perfume from 2013. Cinnamon, honey and osmanthus open it. Benzoin, labdanum, ambergris and artemisia fill the middle. Musk, patchouli, vanilla and tonka bean end it.

Amber, warm spicy and honey lead the accords. The longevity vote leans long lasting, with eternal in second place. The sillage vote leans strong, then moderate. Winter is the most frequent season vote, and evening and night wear are the occasions.

Mancera Tonka Cola
Най-добър пикантен избор

Tonka Cola by Mancera

Връхни нотки
Череша, Канела, Индийско орехче, Сицилиански лимон
Средни нотки
Coca-Cola, Лист от индонезийски пачули, Портокалов цвят
Базови нотки
Бензоин, Лабданум, Тонка, Ванилия
Час от деня
Нощно излизане

Tonka Cola by Mancera is a niche, unisex perfume from 2022. Cinnamon, cherry, Sicilian lemon and nutmeg open it. Cola, Indonesian patchouli leaf and orange blossom form the heart. Tonka bean, vanilla, benzoin and labdanum finish.

It sets tonka against cola, citrus and spice. Most community voters rate its longevity as long lasting. Sillage votes lean moderate, then strong. Fall and winter are the usual picks, with night and evening wear.

Stronger With You Intensely by Giorgio Armani

Stronger With You Intensely by Giorgio Armani launched in 2019 for men. Pink pepper, juniper and violet open it. Toffee, cinnamon, lavender and sage follow. Vanilla, amber, tonka bean and suede end it.

Think of a toffee-like sweetness held in place by cinnamon and amber. On longevity, most community voters answer long lasting. On sillage, most voters answer strong. Winter and fall lead the season votes, and night and evening the occasion votes.

Xerjoff Tony Iommi Monkey Special
Най-добър за вечер

Tony Iommi Monkey Special by Xerjoff

Връхни нотки
Бергамот, Здравец, Маракуя, Ром
Средни нотки
Българска роза, Канела, Кожа, Сингапурски пачули
Базови нотки
Сива амбра, Карамел, Лабданум, Мускус
Час от деня
Нощно излизане

Tony Iommi Monkey Special by Xerjoff is a niche perfume from 2021, listed for men. Rum, passionfruit, bergamot and geranium open it. Singapore patchouli, cinnamon, leather and Bulgarian rose make the heart. Caramel, vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood, labdanum, ambergris and musk form a deep base.

Its accords read warm spicy, woody, sweet and vanilla, with rum, caramel and patchouli together. On longevity, most community voters pick long lasting. Most voters also call its sillage strong. Winter and fall come first on the season votes, with night and evening wear.

Soft, powdery and floral tonka

Musk, orris root and white flowers sit beside the tonka in these two.

Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur

Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle

Връхни нотки
Бергамот, Кориандър, Лавандула, Нероли
Средни нотки
Канела, Карамфилче, Корен от ирис, Османтус
Базови нотки
Амбра, Животински нотки, Кедър, Гваяково дърво
Час от деня
Нощно излизане

Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle is a niche, unisex perfume from 2000. Lavender, tangerine, bergamot, coriander and neroli open it. Cinnamon, cloves, orris root, rose and osmanthus fill the heart. Musk, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, guaiac wood, cedar and patchouli follow, with animal notes.

The accords read warm spicy, vanilla, powdery and musky; if musk is the part you like, our guide to musk perfumes goes further. Its longevity is rated long lasting by most community voters. The sillage vote leans strong, with moderate behind. Winter tops the season vote, and night and evening top the occasion vote.

Ange ou Demon by Givenchy

Ange ou Demon by Givenchy launched in 2006 for women. Saffron, thyme and mandarin orange open it. Lily, ylang-ylang and orchid sit in the heart. Brazilian rosewood, oakmoss, vanilla and tonka bean make the base.

Tonka here sits under white flowers. Community voters give longevity a long lasting lean, with eternal behind it. Community votes on its sillage favour strong, with moderate behind it. Winter and fall are the picks, and night is the occasion.

The fresh edge: tonka under lavender

If gourmands feel too sweet for you, tonka also works as a quiet base under herbs and citrus. These two lean aromatic and fresh in their accords.

Y Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent

Y Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent came out in 2021 for men. Apple, aldehydes, grapefruit and ginger open it. Lavender, sage and geranium make the heart. Tonka bean, cedar, olibanum and patchouli end it.

The accords read aromatic, fresh spicy, herbal and citrus. Most community voters judge its longevity long lasting. Most voters call its sillage moderate. Fall and winter are the seasons they pick, and night wear the occasion.

Prada Luna Rossa Sport
Най-добра стойност

Luna Rossa Sport by Prada

Връхни нотки
Джинджифил, Хвойнови плодове
Средни нотки
Лавандула
Базови нотки
Тонка, Ванилия
Час от деня
През деня

Luna Rossa Sport by Prada launched in 2015 for men. Ginger and juniper berries open it, lavender fills the heart, and vanilla and tonka bean sit at the base. That is a short, clean list of notes.

Its accords read vanilla, aromatic, lavender and fresh spicy. On longevity, community voters lean moderate, with long lasting next. For sillage, moderate is what most voters pick. It is the only one whose season vote is spring and fall, with day wear as the occasion.

The map at a glance

The tonka map, with five corners around one centre, the perfumes in each and a first one to try
Corner of the mapPerfumesWhat meets the tonkaStart with
The centreTonka BeanTonka alone, with vanilla and amber accordsTonka Bean
Almond and cherryLa Petite Robe Noire, Rolling in Love, Pegasus ExclusifSour cherry, almond, bitter almond, vanillaLa Petite Robe Noire
Coffee, cacao and caramelCoffee Break, Black Phantom, Bad Boy ExtremeCoffee, dark chocolate, cacao, caramelCoffee Break
Spice, honey and rumOajan, Tonka Cola, Stronger With You Intensely, Tony Iommi Monkey SpecialCinnamon, honey, cola, toffee, rumOajan
Soft and floralMusc Ravageur, Ange ou DemonMusk, orris root, white flowersMusc Ravageur
The fresh edgeY Le Parfum, Luna Rossa SportLavender, ginger, apple, juniperLuna Rossa Sport

Tonka perfumes for women, for men and for everyone

The catalogue lists three of these perfumes for women: La Petite Robe Noire, Rolling in Love and Ange ou Demon. Seven are listed for men: Pegasus Exclusif, Bad Boy Extreme, Oajan, Stronger With You Intensely, Tony Iommi Monkey Special, Y Le Parfum and Luna Rossa Sport.

Five are listed as unisex: Tonka Bean, Coffee Break, Black Phantom, Tonka Cola and Musc Ravageur.

Try two corners of the tonka map in 3ml

Pick a sweet corner and the fresh edge, and start with the 3ml size of each. A 3ml holds around 60 sprays, which is plenty to get to know a perfume before you commit.

For a sweet corner, Black Phantom in 3ml is 17,64 €. For the fresh edge, Luna Rossa Sport in 3ml is 7,29 €. When one of them wins, step up. The 10ml size gives around 200 sprays for weeks of wear, and the 30ml size gives around 600 sprays to keep.

Many of these are voted for the cold months, so our winter perfumes page is a good next stop. If vanilla pulls you more than tonka, read our guide to vanilla perfumes. To see how a decant works, read what a perfume decant is.

Често задавани въпроси

What does a tonka perfume smell like?
A tonka perfume smells warm and sweet. The notes beside the tonka decide the rest: almond and cherry make it fruity, coffee and cacao make it dark, cinnamon and rum make it spicy, and lavender gives it a fresh edge. Tonka Bean by Memo Paris is the plainest place to start.
What is the best tonka perfume?
There is no single best tonka perfume, because the right one depends on the corner you like. For almond and cherry, try La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain. For coffee, try Coffee Break by Maison Margiela. For rum and spice, try Tony Iommi Monkey Special by Xerjoff. For lavender, try Y Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent.
Is tonka the same as vanilla?
No. Tonka beans are the seeds of a tree native to northern South America, and the coumarin in them gives them a strong scent. Vanilla is a separate note, and several of the perfumes in this guide list both.
Which tonka perfumes are good for winter?
Community voters most often pick winter for Black Phantom by By Kilian, Oajan by Parfums de Marly and Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle. They pick winter and fall for Bad Boy Extreme and Stronger With You Intensely. Tonka Bean by Memo Paris and Pegasus Exclusif are voted for fall and winter.
Can I try a tonka perfume in a small size?
Yes. We offer each of these perfumes in 3ml for around 60 sprays, in 10ml for around 200 sprays and in 30ml for around 600 sprays. A 3ml of Black Phantom is 17,64 €.

Източници

  1. Tonka bean

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Дизайнерски и нишови аромати в деканти 10ml, за да поживеете с аромата, преди да се обвържете.

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