Tobacco Absolute Low Nico
Tobacco Absolute Low Nico – tobacco leaf without the nicotine
Dried tobacco leaves in a wooden box, with a touch of honey and hay: that is how a good tobacco absolute smells. The Low Nico grade brings this scent to perfumery with practically no nicotine.
Contents
- What is tobacco absolute?
- What does “Low Nico” mean?
- What does it smell like?
- Damascenone – what tobacco and rose share
- Role in a formula
- Practice: dilution, storage, safety
- FAQ
1. What is tobacco absolute?
An absolute as defined by ISO 9235: an extract is first obtained from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum, then taken up in ethanol and freed of waxes. The leaves for this grade come from South Africa; extraction takes place in France. The result is a viscous, light to dark brown liquid.
2. What does “Low Nico” mean?
Tobacco leaves naturally contain nicotine. In this grade the content is reduced to 0.01 % or less. The scent of the leaf is fully preserved.
3. What does it smell like?
Warm and deep, of dried tobacco leaf, with honey, hay and dried fruit and a slightly leathery background. It works as a heart and base note and lasts a long time.
4. Damascenone – what tobacco and rose share
According to the manufacturer's data, the absolute contains traces of damascenone (0.001–0.1 %). This molecule is a key odorant of rose and is also typical of cured tobacco, tea and dried fruit. It explains the fruity, honeyed side of the absolute – and why tobacco and rose work so well together. Because of it the material carries the statement EUH208.
5. Role in a formula
Tobacco absolute gives tobacco, leather, oriental and chypre accords natural depth. Proven partners from the shop:
- Resinous-amber: Labdanum reinforces the warm, leathery side.
- Vanilla: Isobutavan and Vanillin PG Acetal make the accord creamy and sweet.
- Rum: Rum Acetal brings out the dried fruit.
- Woody-amber: Ambroxan (all versions) and Patchoulol add volume and tenacity.
A classic starting point: tobacco + vanilla + rum – the core of many pipe-tobacco scents.
6. Practice: dilution, storage, safety
Dilution: The material is viscous; a 10 % dilution in ethanol is convenient for formula work.
Storage: Cool (below 18 °C), tightly closed, protected from light and air.
Safety: Not classified as hazardous under CLP – no pictogram, no signal word. EUH208 because of damascenone. Contains 1–5 % ethanol from extraction. Wear gloves and safety glasses. Full data on the product page.
FAQ on tobacco absolute
Does Tobacco Absolute Low Nico contain nicotine?
0.01 % at most – practically nicotine-free.
Is it a natural product?
Yes, an absolute from South African tobacco leaves.
Why does tobacco absolute smell of honey and dried fruit?
Partly because of damascenone, which also occurs in rose and dried fruit.
What does it pair with?
Labdanum, vanilla materials, rum notes, Ambroxan and Patchoulol.