Caban

Caban, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent Caban (2015)

Tonka bean carries Caban. YSL describes facets of almond, caramel, hay and tobacco in it, and those shades come and go as the scent settles. At the top, pink and black pepper with elemi give a brisk, spicy lift. Olibanum and osmanthus, a flower with an apricot-like, slightly leathery tone, fill the middle before sandalwood and patchouli ground the base.

About the original

Caban was one of the five scents that opened Le Vestiaire des Parfums in late 2015, alongside Tuxedo, Saharienne, Caftan and Trench. Its name refers to the caban, the pea coat Yves Saint Laurent introduced in 1962. YSL's current UK page credits Carlos Benaïm. Launch coverage named only pink pepper and tonka bean, whereas the brand's present pyramid is longer; it is not clear whether the formula changed.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Yves Saint Laurent stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Someone who reaches for tonka or tobacco-leaning scents, but wants them framed by pepper and wood, will find Caban easy to wear. YSL presents it as a day-to-night fragrance. The patchouli base is earthy, which may disappoint a buyer hoping for a straightforward gourmand.

Related scents

• Yves Saint Laurent Baby Cat
• Yves Saint Laurent Tuxedo
• Le Labo Tonka 25

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Top notes: Pink Pepper, Black Pepper, Elemi

Heart notes: Olibanum, Osmanthus

Base notes: Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Patchouli

Pink pepper and black pepper open it, with elemi adding a resinous, lemony note.

Olibanum brings a thread of incense to the heart, and osmanthus contributes a fruity, suede-like floral tone.

Tonka bean dominates the drydown over sandalwood and patchouli: almond-like and hay-like, with a shade of tobacco.

Is Caban the same as YSL Tuxedo?

No. Both come from the 2015 launch of Le Vestiaire des Parfums, but they are separate scents. We make Tuxedo as well.

Is Caban sweet?

Tonka bean gives it a gentle almond and caramel sweetness. Pepper at the top and patchouli at the base keep it from reading as a dessert.

Has Caban been reformulated?

We have not found a statement from YSL about a change. The note list published at launch in 2015 was shorter than the one on the brand's site today, and our page follows the current list.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Yves Saint Laurent and Caban are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Yves Saint Laurent in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.