Christopher SheldrakeThe nose · 94 fragrances · also made Feminite du Bois (1992)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Serge Lutens · Sold as unisex
Sidi Bel Abbes
The quiet intimacy of a forgotten love affair, where tobacco smoke lingers in the air and beeswax candles flicker softly.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Sidi Bel AbbesPremium · $100–250
48%Similar accords, often for lessVibrant Leather & Tobacco Elixir · ZaraBudget tier, under $40 · shares tobacco and vanilla8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2015, Sidi Bel Abbes by Serge Lutens is a composition that evokes an erased past and forgotten time. Perfumer Christopher Sheldrake weaves together tobacco, beeswax, leather, and vanilla to create a rich blend of scents. The top note of tobacco introduces a smoky, earthy warmth, while the heart note of beeswax adds a subtle sweetness and waxy texture. The base notes of leather and vanilla bring depth and comfort, grounding the composition in an almost nostalgic embrace.
This fragrance blooms slowly on the skin — apply it with two sprays and allow it to settle before venturing out. It reads better close to the skin than across a room, so layering is key for optimal effect.
Fig. 01 — Sidi Bel Abbes, Serge Lutens
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Christopher Sheldrake
From Serge Lutens' shadow to Chanel's spotlightChristopher Sheldrake is a British-born perfumer who studied art history before extensive travels sparked his interest in fragrance.
Designer Serge Lutens
More from the house · France
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalSidi Bel AbbesSerge Lutens · Premium · $100–250Zara · 2024Vibrant Leather & Tobacco ElixirShares Tobacco and Vanillaunder $40★ 4.42 (163)45%Match
Azzaro · 2018Azzaro Pour Homme Naughty LeatherShares Leather and Vanilla$40–100★ 3.81 (111)44%Match
Hugo Boss · 2024Alive AbsoluShares Leather and Vanilla$40–100★ 3.37 (137)49%Match
Zara · 2024Zara Man Uomo WinterShares Leather and Vanillaunder $40★ 3.81 (31)
With Aromas de Salazar Heavenly Tobacco
Adds woody, amber and musky; shares tobacco.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 53%, disliked or hated by 6%.