Scents + Memories

I’ve always believed that scents and memories are deeply connected — every fragrance has a story to tell. When I started 5Luxe Scents Co., one of the very first signature candle scents I created was Tobacco Vanilla.

To many, it may simply be a warm, earthy fragrance, but to me, it instantly brought back the memory of someone I loved deeply — my late grandfather, whom we lovingly called Pak Shoh.

Tobacco Vanilla reminded me of his quiet rituals. Pak Shoh enjoyed his occasional pipe-smoking sessions, a habit that brought him calm joy. I can still see the dark brown cupboard in our dining area where he kept his pipe and dried tobacco leaves. That subtle scent of tobacco, mixed with aged wood and lingering warmth, became a nostalgic backdrop to many childhood days.

He was a simple man — kind, patient, and deeply loving. On quiet mornings, he would sit and clean his pipe with quiet focus. I used to just watch, fascinated by his attention to detail. My grandmother, Mak Shoh, would sometimes gently nag him to quit the habit, but he would only smile and continue. Calm and unfazed — just like the scent itself.

He also loved watching wrestling — the dramatic kind. And while Mak Shoh pretended not to enjoy it, she always sat beside him, giggling at the theatrical moves. These were the small, intimate moments that shaped my love for memory and meaning.

When I first tested the Tobacco Vanilla candle in Melbourne, the scent took me by surprise. My immediate reaction was, “Ahhh, Pak Shoh!” It wasn’t that he smelled like this — but the warm, smoky-vanilla blend felt like him. And so I poured a few batches under 5Luxe Scents Co. as a quiet tribute.

That’s the magic of hand-poured scented candles — they can transport you. One fragrance can evoke a thousand emotions. At 5Luxe Scents Co., our scents are created not just to perfume your space, but to tell stories — to spark memories, to feel something deeper.

Tobacco Vanilla is not a bold scent. It’s smooth, warm, and comforting. I believe the soft vanilla base balances the smokiness beautifully — just like how Pak Shoh brought balance to everything around him.

I almost renamed the candle Badang, his actual name. Wouldn’t that have been a story to tell on the label?

If you’ve ever had a scent take you back to a person, place, or time — then you’ll understand why Tobacco Vanilla holds a special place in our artisan candle collection at 5Luxe Scents Co. It’s more than a candle. It’s a memory, lovingly preserved in wax.

Much love,
Eidza Jumanis