Oud Wood Tom Ford 2007 Eau de Parfum

Soon, two years and many moons will have passed since I joined this fascinating community. Back then, driven more by curiosity and a great interest in sourcing from the souk, I let my long-standing passion for perfume run free and dove into the depths of intensely fragrant playgrounds…
It began a time full of magic and enchanting moments. Deeply stirring emotions and tremendous impressions were to shape my perception for the next while, as had not happened in a long time in my life. Coupled with the fact that I got to meet truly unique and generous people here, I had fallen into the Parfumo endless loop.

So, I stood at the beginning of a long journey, and it happened as it had to. I let myself be inspired by the rankings and soon had a sample of Oud Wood under my nose. My first pseudo-niche fragrance, so to speak. At that time, I was absolutely astonished…wow and madness. What a beautiful scent. It went so far that I, full of enthusiasm, bought a small 30ml bottle…after all, it was an expensive little water and I didn’t want to overdo it. Unfortunately, things went just as modestly with Oud Wood as they often do in real life. The influenceability of us humans is enormous, and the deeper I dove into the subject, the more frequently the statements came that Oud Wood is nothing special and is almost pure commerce. Since I saw myself on this relentless search for the special, the ultimate fragrance, I left Tom behind and gave up his friendship and his kind nature.

When I held the bottle in my hands again today after a long time, I thought to myself: “I actually quite like Tom’s works. Some even very much. So, why not, today I’ll wear Oud Wood.” Just at that moment of the collision of scent molecules with olfactory cells, a gigantic film ran in my head! Whoa, what just happened? I felt and experienced that very mysterious magic. The one from back then, two years ago, when it all began. A moment that touched my soul. What had become somewhat clichéd and ordinary in the meantime experienced a kind of renaissance today through Oud Wood.

Since this moment captivated and thrilled me so much, I decided to write these lines. This synaptic olfactory fireworks leads to the spectacular release of endorphins and teleports us to a long-gone time. It lets us feel for a moment like back then, and space and time briefly lose their meaning. That is a unique feeling. For me, triggered by scents and aromas but unfortunately far too rarely. We all know it and wish for it. This chemically induced reaction in the brain I call olfactory programming.

I probably don’t need to write much about Oud Wood itself. There are so many reviews, statements, and evaluations about it. Many others have already done an excellent job here.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that it is a masterful composition. This cardamom-infused veil, framed by soft woods and sensual aromas, evokes a sense of well-being. Even though the oud is only rudimentarily present, it makes the scent, together with the fine sandalwood, shine for a moment. A consistently warming atmosphere is created through the interplay of the components. Even the associated rosewood does not bother me in any way. I believe all the ingredients are extremely harmoniously intertwined, and the slightly medicinal touch coming from the oud closes the olfactory circle harmoniously.

I now wish all of us many such moments, whether triggered by scents or other events. Indulging in the past can be so wonderful. But to feel the past, something new must begin to trust in the magic of beginnings…