Tom Ford Oud: Modern classic wood or superseded by newer woody options?

[kreteknose]

I've been looking for a first signature scent being a latecomer to fragrance. Among others, I want a woody scent but not one which is leathery, incense or peppery, which are scents paired with a lot of woods.

I came across Tom Ford Oud Wood because it has none of these notes, and has something sweeter and gentler, but nothing too sweet. Also different from some patchouli and vetiver top notes I tried.

I was looking through old threads for this. I thought people recognize Tom Ford Oud Wood as one of the firsts in a new wave of men's woody scents, but people talk about other woody scents these days and talk more about Tom Ford leather scents. I was also reading on people's opinions on Tom Ford in general, and I tried his other scents (nice new cherry, but pass.)

Is Tom Ford Oud Wood a good starter choice for what I want, or have people passed this over in favor of newer options? If it helps, I was also interested in Gucci Guilty EDP, and was interested in Terre d'Hermes and Terre d'Hermes Intense Vetiver for something woody with a more citrus finish.

I was surprised it's carried by Sephora etc. but has a higher price point, so should read up on Mr. Ford's history.

 

[ultravisitor]

I just think Oud Wood smells more like Comet cleanser than oud. I've also never really been all that impressed by the Tom Ford fragrances.

 

[imm0rtelle]

I'm not 100% sure what your ideal wood fragrance you have in mind is like, but maybe Comme des Garçons' wood series would be worth a sniff.

Hinoki:

Laurel:

Sugi:

Yoyogi:

 

[NoseFragrances]

personally not a fan of the DNA. I'd go for Thameen Carved Oud for it probably, which is very similar

 

[dogtoe]

I quite like TF Oud Wood, but the real question is: do you like it? I also don’t pay attention to whether or not a fragrance is dated. If I like it, I buy it and wear it. I’ve read that the Thames Carved Oud mentioned in the previous post is better performing than Oud Wood, but haven’t tested it.

 

[hednic]

I've also never really been all that impressed by the Tom Ford fragrances.

My feeling also.

 

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

Is Tom Ford Oud Wood a good starter choice for what I want, or have people passed this over in favor of newer options?

Is it a good starter choice? Sure, if you enjoy it enough to want to buy it.

Don't worry about what other people do. Follow your nose. I know this will sound obvious, but, if you only buy scents you love, you'll end up wearing scents YOU love. If you buy scents because other people love them, you'll end up wearing other people's favorites instead of your own. That grows old fast.

Personally, I prefer Creed's Royal Oud over Tom Ford Oud Wood. I have a decant of Oud Wood and I rarely reach for it even though I like it, but I love wearing Royal Oud. That's me though. You're not me, so let your nose decide what smells best to you.

 

[primotenore]

I really enjoy Oud Wood. So does my wife. Win-Win. I think I'll wear it today.
To the OP, wear what you want. Every opinion you get will be just someone's subjective thoughts. They're not yours.
I wear what I want---when I want. So should you. (yup...another opinion; and you know what they say about opinions)

 

[sjg3839]

TF Oud Wood is great IMO. Not your example of an Oud fragrance. Just think they should have gave it a different name.

 

[kreteknose]

TF Oud Wood is great IMO. Not your example of an Oud fragrance. Just think they should have gave it a different name.

thanks, this explains my confusion in trying to research ouds!

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Is it a good starter choice? Sure, if you enjoy it enough to want to buy it.

Don't worry about what other people do. Follow your nose. I know this will sound obvious, but, if you only buy scents you love, you'll end up wearing scents YOU love. If you buy scents because other people love them, you'll end up wearing other people's favorites instead of your own. That grows old fast.

Personally, I prefer Creed's Royal Oud over Tom Ford Oud Wood. I have a decant of Oud Wood and I rarely reach for it even though I like it, but I love wearing Royal Oud. That's me though. You're not me, so let your nose decide what smells best to you.

Creed Royal Oud is a good one to look at. I would also add Bois Du Portugal but that one I think is more of an acquired taste.

 

[Diddy]

Is Tom Ford Oud Wood a good starter choice for what I want, or have people passed this over in favor of newer options? If it helps, I was also interested in Gucci Guilty EDP, and was interested in Terre d'Hermes and Terre d'Hermes Intense Vetiver for something woody with a more citrus finish.

Is it a good starter…? Yes, if you like it enough to buy it. Have other people passed…? Yes and no, because people wear what they enjoy wearing. For some people, it’s perfect and they haven’t looked for anything else. For others, they don’t like it and have moved on.

Every fragrance you’ve listed is perfectly fine, if YOU enjoy them. Wear what you like and don’t obsess over the opinions of others. I’ll give the edited version of what was trying to be said about opinions earlier… ‘Opinions are like butts. Everyone has one, and thinks that their butt smells nicer everyone else’s.’

 

[Varanis Ridari]

I was never a fan of this one.

 

[PrinceRF]

I think it's still a great option. Another one to try that's a similar style but even better, IMO, is Unholy Oud by BTSO.

 

[StylinLA]

It only matters if you like the scent kreteknose. Some people here hate it and some love it as is the case with almost anything.

It's a fine scent to start with if you like it. Don't get too hung up on all the back and forth discussions here and other places online. When you choose a scent you like and are confident in wearing it, all the other opinions are meaningless.

 

[kreteknose]

yes thanks, it's enriching for me to understand why people like or hate it and if my taste is similar or not, as I haven't smelled as many Ouds.

 

[WarmJewel]

yes thanks, it's enriching for me to understand why people like or hate it and if my taste is similar or not, as I haven't smelled as many Ouds.

I can't stand it myself, but then I don't particularly like any Tom Ford fragrances. I think they're over-priced, over-rated and over-hyped.

I agree with @StylinLA in the sense of use your own nose and judgement as the best guide. Don't pay too much attention to what others may say or think. If you like something buy it, wear it and enjoy it.

 

[ChuckW]

I've owned a slew of Tom Ford scents, including Oud Wood. I've never kept a single one of his scents for the long haul. I guess I'm not a fan of the house. It hasn't been for a lack of trying.

 

[otterlake]

I'd go for Thameen Carved Oud for it probably, which is very similar

Yeah, the Thameen surpasses the Tom Ford. It's very similar, but it's both better and more affordable.

@kreteknose , don't let the grouches here at Basenotes put you off grabbing a scent in this style. Basenoters skew a bit old-fashioned in their tastes.

 

[Ken_Russell]

Ultimately, both the modern classic wood or superseded by other options depends very much on the tastes of the wearer.
Personally, though liking it enough to consider this among the better TF scents, still having other favorites from TF.
And also likelier to recommend (re) testing Guerlain Homme Eau Boisee, since CDG was mentioned-CDG 2 Man, Frederic Malle Bois d'Orage, almost any Dsqaured masculine, l'Erbolario Accordo di Ebano over this.