Perfume makers have used tonka bean perfume oil in their concoctions for centuries, particularly in oriental and fougère fragrances. Much like musk, tonka enhances the longevity of other notes in a fragrance. And, again, similarly to musk, it becomes more noticeable with time, making it an excellent choice for both daytime and after-dark fragrances.

Tonka bean has a softening effect that makes it ideal for smoky, tobacco or rum-based aromas. It can also be used in citrus scents, adding freshness while intensifying their overall aroma. Tonka bean often reaches out towards other floral notes, as well, such as violet, jasmine and orange blossom, bringing out their powdery facets and tampering down their sometimes overwhelmingly heady character.

Tonka beans are integral to a vast array of world-renowned perfumes, from the rich and powerful, to the alluringly exotic. Get a whiff of tonka in Armani’s Armani Code Eau de Toilette, a sophisticated scent for the modern gentleman. Tonka is used here to fantastic effect, allowing for more vibrancy (and longevity) for notes like bergamot, grapefruit, and guaiac wood. Find this warm note also in Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum. Tobacco, vanilla, and cocoa combine perfectly with creamy tonka bean to create an unforgettable masculine scent. There’s also Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne, a rich, unisex tonka bean perfume lifted by notes of lavender and myrrh.