Tom Ford Oud: Modern classic wood or superseded by newer woody options?

[algebraist]

For something woody, I would encourage you to try Bel Ami from Hermès. Yes, it is an 80s fragrance and some people perceive a leather note, but the woods and citruses are prominent.

Antaeus is another woody masculine from the 80s, with excellent performance if that is a factor. It was a little more animalic back in the day, but suits more modern tastes now without being tame. Give it 30 minutes or so on skin for the woodiness to really show.

 

[kreteknose]

Ultimately, both the modern classic wood or superseded by other options depends very much on the tastes of the wearer.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.

Malle is on my list to go back to. Passed by a Malle stall to have the lady try Portrait of a Lady, but we didn't linger.

I tried a bottle of Tom Ford Oud Wood. My notes:

The lady and I wanted a male woody scent that is not leather/spice/incense (and reference point, she thinks she likes specific gentle current rose/pink chypres Dior Privee Gris, Diptyque Eau Capitale, and Chanel Coco Madameoiselle, and the gentle leather/floral of Hermes Kelly Caleche). This is the easiest starting point, being an easy to like gently woody and sweet scent. She was raving for hours when I first sprayed it all over (chest, back of neck, wrists), though I'm telling her I wouldn't put it on every day as it's still strong enough one could tire of it after a while. We perceive a gentle, sweet woody scent and don't smell the spice. She thinks it's "fresh" although that's not how this forum would understand fresh. The performance, sillage and longevity are OK, she can smell it across the room and we like the gentle sweet opening notes and the gentle drydown. Her first reaction is this is a home run, and viscerally rejected many other prominent ouds as too strong, too sharp, too spicy, too grandpa, or too flat. I'll take my time exploring the more oudy ouds cited on this forum all the way to favorites from the Middle East, but for now, we're not particular on what a real oud is and are happy with an easy to like beginner oud.

 

[kreteknose]

I like the gentle, sweet note of Tom Ford Oud Wood, more than the heavier (or spicy) notes of some recommendations here. (Never found Commes de Garçons in Singapore.)

Any other sweet (but not overly sweet or feminine) woody scents along these lines, even if not strictly oud?

 

[algebraist]

I like the gentle, sweet note of Tom Ford Oud Wood, more than the heavier (or spicy) notes of some recommendations here. (Never found Commes de Garçons in Singapore.)

Any other sweet (but not overly sweet or feminine) woody scents along these lines, even if not strictly oud?

There is a Comme des Garçons store in Voco Orchard in Singapore, part of the hotel. You pretty much have every luxury brand in that city, I love it. Anyway, as an experiment, try Déclaration Eau de Toilette from Cartier. I know you said you don't want spicy but you like Oud Wood and believe it or not cardamom is quite dominant in it, which ties it to Déclaration in that respect.

 

[kreteknose]

Thanks. Tried the current Declaration line, didn’t grab me

 

[imm0rtelle]

Never found Commes de Garçons in Singapore.

 

[imm0rtelle]

Any other sweet (but not overly sweet or feminine) woody scents along these lines, even if not strictly oud?

There's a sweet fruitiness in the opening of Byredo's De Los Santos, but I'm not sure if it smells the same as what you like from Oud Wood. De Los Santos reminds me very strongly of Le Labo's Thé Noir 29, but built like how I wished Thé Noir 29 would have smelled. They both share a similar theme of pairing a fruitiness with earthy, herbal, and woody facets. While Thé Noir 29 can feel oppressive, De Los Santos is kept more airy. I get a feeling of smelling the cork of a wine bottle. I'm really appreciating the tasteful restraint of Byredo compared to many other modern releases.

While Thé Noir 29 reminds me of a rustic log cabin in the woods, De Los Santos feels a lot more urban.

De Los Santos feels like a departure from the brand's usual releases. It feels very LA-inspired, and I feel like they fit neatly with Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent grunge aesthetic. It seems to be one of the few releases that feature Palo Santo, which feels very LA.

I'm personally not a Tom Ford fan, so what I like might not be on the same wavelength as you. The reason I'm not a Tom Ford fan is because I don't enjoy his idea of luxury. His idea of luxury is very accessible, and aspirational, for the mainstream audience and really resonates with most people when they think "luxury" or "expensive". But it just feels a bit too gaudy and a bit too much for me.

 

[kreteknose]

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Escentials is a leading high end distributor and I swear I never saw it on their shelf

 

[kreteknose]

There's a sweet fruitiness in the opening of Byredo's De Los Santos, but I'm not sure if it smells the same as what you like from Oud Wood. De Los Santos reminds me very strongly of Le Labo's Thé Noir 29, but built like how I wished Thé Noir 29 would have smelled. They both share a similar theme of pairing a fruitiness with earthy, herbal, and woody facets. While Thé Noir 29 can feel oppressive, De Los Santos is kept more airy. I get a feeling of smelling the cork of a wine bottle. I'm really appreciating the tasteful restraint of Byredo compared to many other modern releases.

While Thé Noir 29 reminds me of a rustic log cabin in the woods, De Los Santos feels a lot more urban.

De Los Santos feels like a departure from the brand's usual releases. It feels very LA-inspired, and I feel like they fit neatly with Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent grunge aesthetic. It seems to be one of the few releases that feature Palo Santo, which feels very LA.

I'm personally not a Tom Ford fan, so what I like might not be on the same wavelength as you. The reason I'm not a Tom Ford fan is because I don't enjoy his idea of luxury. His idea of luxury is very accessible, and aspirational, for the mainstream audience and really resonates with most people when they think "luxury" or "expensive". But it just feels a bit too gaudy and a bit too much for me.

thanks I’ll review. we actually never reviewed any Tom Ford marketing material and just tried sniffing Oud Wood a few times, so she liked it blind to all this. We have no idea of Tom Ford’s history.

 

[kreteknose]

By the way, this is what ChatGPT says:

Top 10 Male Perfumes for Men in Their Mid-30s with Woody and Gentle Notes

1. Creed Royal Oud (Top notes: Lemon, pink pepper, bergamot; Heart notes: Angelica, galbanum, cedar; Base notes: Oud, sandalwood, musk) - A refined and regal fragrance with oud as the base note, complemented by fresh citrusy top notes and a warm, woody base that exudes sophistication and elegance.
2. Dior Fahrenheit (Top notes: Mandarin orange, bergamot, lemon; Heart notes: Violet, nutmeg, cedar; Base notes: Leather, vetiver, patchouli) - A classic fragrance with fresh and spicy top notes, featuring a woody base with hints of violet and nutmeg that evokes a sense of confidence and masculinity.
3. Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club (Top notes: Pink pepper, neroli, rum; Heart notes: Clary sage, Java vetiver, tobacco leaf; Base notes: Vanilla, tonka bean, styrax) - A cozy and inviting fragrance with warm tobacco and vanilla base, hints of rum and spices in the heart notes that evoke a nostalgic, club-like atmosphere.
4. Acqua di Parma Colonia Oud (Top notes: Bergamot, orange, agarwood; Heart notes: Coriander, amyris, sandalwood; Base notes: Leather, musk, patchouli) - A luxurious and elegant fragrance with oud as the main note, complemented by fresh citrusy top notes and a rich sandalwood base that exudes sophistication and class.
5. Giorgio Armani Armani Code Profumo (Top notes: Green mandarin, apple, cardamom; Heart notes: Lavender, orange blossom, nutmeg; Base notes: Tonka bean, leather, amber) - A modern and alluring fragrance with a woody base, leather hints, and refreshing top notes of green mandarin and apple that exudes sensuality and magnetism.
6. Montblanc Explorer (Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper, clary sage; Heart notes: Vetiver, leather, patchouli; Base notes: Cocoa, ambroxan, Akigalawood) - A versatile and sophisticated fragrance with a woody base, fresh top notes of bergamot and pink pepper, and hints of leather and spices that exude a sense of adventure and exploration.
7. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L'Homme (Top notes: Cardamom, bergamot, lavender; Heart notes: Cedar, cumin, vetiver; Base notes: Caraway, amber, coumarin) - A sensual and mysterious fragrance with a woody base, floral heart notes, and a touch of freshness from cardamom that exudes an air of seduction and allure.
8. Amouage Reflection Man (Top notes: Rosemary, red pepper, bitter orange; Heart notes: Iris, jasmine, neroli; Base notes: Sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver) - An elegant and complex fragrance with a woody base, floral heart notes, and a touch of spices and herbs that exudes sophistication and refinement.
9. Givenchy Gentlemen Only (Top notes: Green mandarin, pink pepper, birch leaf; Heart notes: Patchouli, cedar, vetiver; Base notes: Incense, musk, leather) - A refined and masculine fragrance with a woody base, fresh top notes of green mandarin, and hints of spices and vetiver that exudes confidence and modernity.
10. Lalique Encre Noire (Top notes: Cypress, bergam
    
    
    
    
11. Top 10 Niche Male Perfumes for Men in Their Mid-30s with Woody and Gentle Notes
    
    1. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood (Top notes: Violet, cinnamon, oud; Heart notes: Bulgarian rose, iris, vanilla; Base notes: Sandalwood, benzoin, amber) - A luxurious and opulent fragrance with a velvety oud base, floral heart notes, and a touch of warmth from vanilla that exudes richness and sensuality.
    2. Byredo Oud Immortel (Top notes: Limoncello, incense, cardamom; Heart notes: Patchouli, papyrus, rosewood; Base notes: Moss, tobacco leaves, oud) - An intriguing and unique fragrance with a smoky oud base, spicy heart notes, and a touch of freshness from limoncello that exudes mystery and allure.
    3. Xerjoff Oud Stars Mamluk (Top notes: Saffron, bergamot, jasmine; Heart notes: Oud, rose, cedarwood; Base notes: Sandalwood, musk, amber) - A rich and sophisticated fragrance with a prominent oud base, floral heart notes, and a warm, woody base that exudes elegance and refinement.
    4. Amouage Bracken Man (Top notes: Lavender, nutmeg, clove; Heart notes: Patchouli, vetiver, cedarwood; Base notes: Musk, leather, oud) - A woody and aromatic fragrance with a unique twist of fern-like notes, warm heart notes, and a touch of leather and oud that exudes masculinity and charisma.
    5. Le Labo Santal 33 (Top notes: Cardamom, iris, violet; Heart notes: Sandalwood, papyrus, cedar; Base notes: Leather, amber, musk) - A modern and captivating fragrance with a prominent sandalwood base, spicy heart notes, and a touch of leather that exudes confidence and individuality.
    6. Tom Daxon Iridium (Top notes: Juniper, angelica root, carrot seed; Heart notes: Orris, jasmine, leather; Base notes: Vetiver, cedarwood, musk) - A refined and elegant fragrance with a woody base, floral heart notes, and a hint of leather that exudes sophistication and timeless appeal.
    7. Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace (Top notes: Pink pepper, orange blossom, clove; Heart notes: Chestnut, guaiac wood, juniper; Base notes: Vanilla, peru balsam, cashmeran) - A cozy and nostalgic fragrance with a smoky and woody base, hints of chestnut and vanilla in the heart notes that evoke memories of a crackling fireplace.
    8. Amouage Jubilation XXV Man (Top notes: Labdanum, orange, coriander; Heart notes: Frankincense, rose, blackberry; Base notes: Oud, patchouli, musk) - A complex and luxurious fragrance with a rich oud base, resinous heart notes, and a touch of spices and fruits that exudes opulence and grandeur.
    9. Ormonde Jayne Montabaco (Top notes: Air note, orange absolute, bergamot; Heart notes: Leather, suede, tobacco; Base notes: Oudh, vetiver, sandalwood) - A sophisticated and refined fragrance with a leathery base, tobacco hints in the heart notes, and a touch of oud that exudes elegance and masculinity.
    10. Nasomatto Pardon (Top notes: Spices, cinnamon, incense; Heart notes: Violet, rose, geranium; Base notes: Sand

 

[imm0rtelle]

Escentials is a leading high end distributor and I swear I never saw it on their shelf

The best bang for the buck I'm guessing would be official Comme des Garçons stores rather than shops that stock Comme des Garçons products. The official store might have the widest selection compared to shops that stock the brand's products.

 

[imm0rtelle]

thanks I’ll review. we actually never reviewed any Tom Ford marketing material and just tried sniffing Oud Wood a few times, so she liked it blind to all this. We have no idea of Tom Ford’s history.

That's no problem at all. There is nothing wrong or bad to liking Tom Ford's olfactory aesthetic. Just from your wording about longevity, it feels very congruent with the mainstream understanding of what an expensive fragrance should be like.

 

[toasty]

Maybe folks are concentrating on the Oud vibe but for woody I think of CDG Wonderwood and Terre d'Hermes.

FWIW I find Royal Oud way too heavy and cloying. Not my thing at all.

 

[kreteknose]

That's no problem at all. There is nothing wrong or bad to liking Tom Ford's olfactory aesthetic. Just from your wording about longevity, it feels very congruent with the mainstream understanding of what an expensive fragrance should be like.

Hahaha, I have an audience of one.

Maybe I am now discovering she has hidden expensive tastes! Time to try on that Brut...

 

[kreteknose]

I’ve now sampled various woody scents, particularly those with sweet gentle notes, in contrast to those with more typical spicy or smoky scents, or stronger rose-oud pairings. I appreciate the Tom Ford scents more, such as Oud Wood and Tobacco Vanille.

Has anyone compared Xerjoff Alexandra to Oud Wood? I thought Alexandra had a similar vibe, maybe a leas sweet but more sophisticated or complex for lack of a better term.

 

[Franco65]

Modern Classic!

 

[kreteknose]

@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.

I bought a bottle of 5711 to understand the Basenoters like @ultravisitor, except I can't figure out how to add it to my wardrobe.

 

[kreteknose]

I've now tried a variety of oud scents, and most don't grab me because the more typical pairings with spice, leather or rose don't grab me. I honestly wonder if I'll outgrow Tom Ford Private Blend from the comments here, but so far, I like the line and was considering Neroli Portofino for a fresh scent.

The only oud kind of scent that grabbed me so far is Xerjoff Alexandria II, which strikes me as a more refined, sophisticated rendition of Tom Ford Oud Wood and also sweet. I was also interested in Roja Ambre Oud but wonder if that is so syrupy it's over the top. Imagine I have yet to be initiated into real oud scents.

 

[bschiller]

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.

Have a sample of TF Oud wood. Like it after the first 5 minutes. There is something chemical in the top note but it bcomes more pleasing after a while. Dont believe there is any natural oud in the juice. Just bothers me that the first whiff is very strong like a cleaning fluid. Any comments on the top note?

 

[DudeLebowski]

I could never enjoy OW. The combination of cardamom, amber and vanilla, gives me headaches after 30 minutes.