Clean Shaven 23
Brand: Clean Shaven
Unisex · EDP · £14.75
Inspired by Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille vs Clean Shaven 23
Description
23 is Clean Shaven's aftershave interpretation of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, the 2007 release that remains the brand's single most recognised and most frequently duplicated fragrance across the entire industry. Product Overview Sold as 50ml at 25% EDP concentration for 14.75 pounds, the most expensive entry in this batch, against an original that retails from roughly 200 pounds for a comparable size within Tom Ford's Private Blend line. Marketed as unisex, matching the original's own broad appeal. The bottle carries only the Clean Shaven name and the number 23, with the inspiration named on the product listing. Scent Profile Opens on tobacco leaf and spicy notes, an immediately warm, rich entrance with none of the freshness typical of the rest of the Clean Shaven range. The heart of vanilla, cacao, tonka bean and tobacco blossom is where the fragrance earns its reputation, a genuinely gourmand, dessert-like accord that reads as sweet tobacco rather than smoke. It settles into dried fruits and woody notes, extending the sweetness into a long, warm dry-down. Technical Structure and Development Composed by Olivier Gillotin as part of Tom Ford's original Private Blend collection, Tobacco Vanille built its reputation on an unusually rich, honeyed tobacco-vanilla accord that was expensive and technically demanding to formulate at niche concentration. Because the original commands such a premium price specifically for that richness, it is one of the most heavily targeted fragrances in the entire dupe and interpretation market, and budget versions typically deliver a lighter, less resinous take on the vanilla-tobacco accord than the true Private Blend original. Performance At 25 percent EDP concentration, expect moderate to strong projection with longevity in the 5 to 8 hour range, a fair showing given the original's own reputation as one of the longest wearing fragrances in the Tom Ford catalogue. Wear Scenarios - Autumn and winter wear, when the warm gourmand character suits the cold - Evening and special occasion wear - Cold weather layering, where the sweetness has room to develop - Not recommended for hot climates given its density and sweetness Scent Family Positioning Sits in the vanilla gourmand style lane, a niche-originated genre that Tobacco Vanille is widely credited with bringing into mainstream awareness. Inspired By and Style Comparisons Direct interpretation of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. Has no close structural relative elsewhere in the Clean Shaven range, since the gourmand tobacco-vanilla accord is unlike anything else in the numbered catalogue. Flankers and Variations Tobacco Vanille has no official flankers within Tom Ford's own Private Blend line but has become one of the most widely referenced and interpreted fragrances across the entire budget and niche market alike; 23 is built around the standard Private Blend formula. Market and Community Reception Tobacco Vanille is consistently ranked among the most recommended and most searched niche fragrances in online communities, and its accessibility problem, being expensive and hard to sample widely, has made it one of the single most duplicated scents in the entire industry. Clean Shaven's own customer reviews for 23 describe the vanilla-tobacco heart as a genuinely close match to the Tom Ford original, with a shorter overall lifespan given the concentration difference.
Notes
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Heart Notes
Base Notes
Main Accords
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Style Lane
Atlas Match
Best Notes Match
Bujairami Smokilla
Shared notes: Tobacco Leaf, Spicy Notes
From This Brand
Clean Shaven 09
Same DNA Style
Al Haramain Amber Oud Tobacco Edition
Inspired by Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
See Al Haramain Amber Oud Tobacco Edition →
Community Reviews
1 review with an average rating of 7.6 out of 10.
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Community Ratings
- Overall: 7.6/10
- Scent Accuracy: 7.8/10
- Longevity: 7.2/10
- Projection: 7.0/10
- Value: 8.5/10
What Reviewers Say
Atlas AI Analysis — 7.6/10
Clean Shaven 23 represents a significant departure from the brand's typical fresh profile, pivoting into the dense tobacco-gourmand territory established by Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille. The composition emphasizes a honeyed, spice-forward opening that transitions quickly into a core dominated by vanilla, cacao, and tonka bean. Rather than pursuing a smoky or photorealistic burnt tobacco, this interpretation leans heavily into the dessert-like sweetness of tobacco blossom and dried fruits, maintaining a rich and resinous character that aligns with the niche origins of the inspired-by profile. Performance is consistent with a 25 percent Eau de Parfum concentration in the budget tier. While the original Private Blend is noted for extreme persistence, 23 offers a more controlled 5 to 8-hour window with moderate-to-strong projection. This reduction in density compared to the original makes it slightly more versatile but necessitates reapplication for full-day wear. The scent remains linear through the dry-down, retaining its warm, woody sweetness without the complex transitions found in higher-priced formulations. Positioned within one of the most saturated segments of the dupe market, 23 serves as a highly accessible entry point for consumers seeking the Tobacco Vanille aesthetic without the luxury price point. It is a utility-focused interpretation that prioritizes the recognizable vanilla-tobacco heart over the more expensive resinous depth of the original. Its utility is strictly bound to cold-weather scenarios; the high sweetness and density make it unsuitable for high-temperature environments, finding its optimal use in autumn and winter evenings or formal settings.
Where to Buy
Check current price and availability on Amazon.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the signature scent profile of the Clean Shaven brand?
Clean Shaven focuses on the "Barbershop" and "Grooming" aesthetic, specializing in scents that are fresh, crisp, and undeniably clean. Their DNA is built around the idea of a fresh-out-of-the-shower experience, focusing on high-quality citrus, cooling mint, and traditional aromatic herbs like lavender and rosemary.
Can Clean Shaven fragrances be used as aftershaves and perfumes?
While the brand has its roots in traditional grooming, their fragrances are formulated as Eau de Parfums to ensure they last far longer than a standard aftershave. They are designed to be "skin-friendly" while providing enough punch to work as a daily-wear fragrance that stays noticeable throughout the workday.
Is Clean Shaven a good brand for the office or gym?
Yes, Clean Shaven is arguably the best "utilitarian" fragrance house for those who want to smell fresh without being overwhelming. Their profiles are non-offensive, uplifting, and professional, making them a top choice for office environments, gym bags, and warm weather where heavy ouds or ambers might be too cloying.
What is Clean Shaven 23 a dupe of?
Clean Shaven 23 is a dupe of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. It interprets the original scent profile using high quality alternative ingredients at a fraction of the price.
What does Clean Shaven 23 smell like?
Clean Shaven 23 opens with Tobacco Leaf, Spicy Notes, moves into Vanilla, Cacao, Tonka Bean, Tobacco Blossom, and settles on a base of Dried Fruits, Woody Notes. It is built to capture the character of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille.
Is Clean Shaven 23 long lasting?
Clean Shaven 23 is EDP with a community longevity score of 7.2 out of 10 and a scent accuracy score of 7.8 out of 10. It offers a budget friendly alternative to the original.
What does EDP mean?
EDP stands for Eau de Parfum. It typically contains 15 to 20 percent fragrance concentration, giving stronger performance and longer longevity than EDT. Most Middle Eastern clone brands release their fragrances as EDP, which is a significant reason they tend to outperform designer equivalents in longevity and projection at a lower price point.
What is an extrait de parfum?
Extrait de parfum, also called pure parfum, contains the highest fragrance concentration, typically 20 to 40 percent. It lasts the longest, projects most richly, and develops the most complex dry-down. Bujairami releases all its fragrances as extraits, which is a significant part of why the brand has developed such a strong reputation for performance.
What is maceration and should I let my new fragrance macerate?
Maceration is the process of fragrance molecules fully integrating and settling after production. A newly bottled fragrance can smell sharp, synthetic, or unbalanced because the individual ingredients have not yet harmonised. Leaving a bottle to settle for two to four weeks is standard practice in the fragrance community. Remove the cap and let the bottle breathe overnight to accelerate the process. Most heavy Middle Eastern releases benefit significantly from maceration.
What is a blind buy in the fragrance community?
A blind buy is purchasing a fragrance without having smelled it first, based on notes, reviews, community consensus, and comparisons to fragrances you already know. The Atlas compare tool, scent accuracy scores, and community reviews are specifically designed to reduce the risk of a disappointing blind buy by giving you data before you spend money.