Head to head
Old Spice Original and Mäurer & Wirtz Tabac Original are often compared by people choosing between the two. Old Spice Original is an amber fragrance and Tabac Original an aromatic one, and they share lemon, aldehydes, geranium and vanilla. They are related in style but clearly different once you smell them side by side.
Old Spice Original stands apart with orange, spices and sage, while Tabac Original brings bergamot, lavender and pepper. Tabac Original lasts longer (moderate against weak), and it also projects more (moderate against soft). Old Spice Original is the cheaper one: about $15 against $25 for a standard bottle.
How we picked. We put the two fragrances side by side using the data in our catalog: notes, olfactory family, longevity, projection, the seasons and occasions each one suits and its typical price. A fragrance smells different on each person, so try both on skin if you can. Prices are typical US retail prices and may differ at checkout.
| Old Spice OriginalOld Spice | Tabac OriginalMäurer & Wirtz | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $15 · 4.2 oz | $25 · 3.4 oz |
| Concentration | Eau de Cologne | Eau de Cologne |
| Launched | 1937 | 1959 |
| Family | Amber, Aromatic | Aromatic, Fougère |
| Top notes | Orange, Lemon, Spices, Sage, Aldehydes | Aldehydes, Bergamot, Lavender, Lemon, Pepper |
| Heart notes | Cinnamon, Carnation, Geranium, Jasmine | Geranium, Oakmoss, Sandalwood |
| Base notes | Vanilla, Musk, Cedar, Incense, Tonka bean | Tobacco, Musk, Vanilla, Amber |
| Longevity | Weak | Moderate |
| Projection | Soft | Moderate |
| Best seasons | Fall, Winter | Spring, Fall, Winter |
| Occasions | Everyday | Everyday, Office |
| Style | Classic, Cozy | Classic, Cozy |
Old Spice
$15 · 4.2 oz · Eau de Cologne · Men · Amber
Warm clove, cinnamon and carnation with a powdery vanilla finish. The comforting scent of generations of fathers and grandfathers.
Choose Old Spice Original if you want a lower price, a quieter scent that stays close to the skin and something better suited to cold weather.
Mäurer & Wirtz
$25 · 3.4 oz · Eau de Cologne · Men · Aromatic
Soapy aldehydes, lavender and a warm, powdery tobacco base. The smell of a traditional German barbershop in a white ceramic bottle.
Choose Tabac Original if you want longer wear, stronger projection and something better suited to warm weather.
Answer 7 quick questions about the person and the occasion, and we will match the fragrances that fit best.
Take the quizTabac Original lasts longer (moderate against weak), and it also projects more (moderate against soft). Longevity also depends on your skin and on how much you apply.
Old Spice Original is the cheaper one: about $15 against $25 for a standard bottle. These are typical US retail prices for a standard bottle and change often, so check the current price before buying.
They share lemon, aldehydes, geranium, vanilla and musk. They are related in style but clearly different once you smell them side by side.
For spring and summer, Tabac Original is the better fit. For fall and winter, Old Spice Original is the better fit. Old Spice Original is at its best in fall and winter, and Tabac Original in spring, fall and winter.
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