Velvet Tonka

Velvet Tonka, inspired by BDK Parfums Velvet Tonka (2021)

Velvet Tonka pairs tonka bean, which smells of almond, hay and vanilla, with almond and orange blossom from the start. Rose and a Balkan tobacco absolute add depth to the heart without making it heavy. Vanilla and amyris wood then soften everything into a sugared, powdery trail. One review describes it as sweet but airy, with a talcum-like softness.

About the original

BDK Parfums, a niche house, launched Velvet Tonka in 2021 within its Collection Matières, and Alexandra Carlin of Symrise created it. It is an eau de parfum, still sold by the brand. BDK later added Velvet Tonka Extrait, a different composition built on pistachio, tonka and vanilla; our version takes the 2021 eau de parfum as its reference.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Its sweetness is gentle, so it works for someone who likes gourmands but finds most of them cloying. The powdery almond character is central, and a wearer who dislikes marzipan or talc notes should sample it first.

Related scents

• BDK Parfums Crème de Cuir
• BDK Parfums Rouge Smoking
• Guerlain Tonka Imperiale

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

Top notes: Orange Blossom, Almond

Heart notes: Rose Absolute, Balkan Tobacco Absolute

Base notes: Tonka Bean Absolute, Madagascan Vanilla Absolute, Amyris Wood, Amber Woods

Orange blossom and almond open it, floral and nutty together.

Rose absolute and Balkan tobacco absolute give the heart a rosy, lightly smoky body.

Tonka bean, Madagascan vanilla, amyris wood and amber woods form a powdery, sweet base.

Is this Velvet Tonka or Velvet Tonka Extrait?

The 2021 eau de parfum. The Extrait is a separate composition with pistachio.

Is Velvet Tonka very sweet?

It is sweet, but reviews describe it as airy rather than cloying, with almond and powder balancing the vanilla.

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.

BDK Parfums and Velvet Tonka are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to BDK Parfums 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.