Tom Ford
Oud Wood
Oud · EDP · 2007 · Richard Herpin
A restrained, wearable oud with no hospital note and no animalics. The standard first step into the oud family. You pay for that restraint with neutrality: on skin it partly turns into warm woody powder.
Context
Oud Wood is the most wearable of Tom Ford’s oud hits. Cardamom and pepper give a spicy opening. Oud and sandalwood make a warm core. Tonka and vanilla soften the base. It is oud built for a wide audience. That is the strength, the range, and the weakness: fans of a real oud often find it too polite.
On skin
The opening is spicy and clean. After an hour the oud steps back and warm sandalwood powder leads. Longevity is average, 6 to 8 hours on skin, longer on clothes. Projection is modest: a close radius, short of filling a room.
Batch and reformulation
Tom Ford Private Blend has been reformulated more than once since the move to Estée Lauder. Recent batches smell weaker and less resinous. If you knew the old Oud Wood, the new one can disappoint. Decant a current batch before you buy a bottle.
Verdict
A decent entry into oud, and far from the best oud. For the same money, Nishane Sultan Vetiver and Initio Oud for Greatness are there if you want volume. If you want quiet woody polish, Oud Wood earns its price. Decant first.
Scores
Notes
Top
- Cardamom
- Black Pepper
Heart
- Oud
- Sandalwood
- Rose
Base
- Tonka
- Vanilla
- Amber
Before a bottle
Ask for 2 to 10 ml. Wear it three times on your own skin. A blotter will not tell you what hour four smells like.
Request a decant
