It took a long time, but I finally had the opportunity to test this supposed masterpiece. I can only speak of luck that I didn't buy it blind, because I can't make anything of the scent. My grandpa was a carpenter; he had his workshop in the basement of the house where my parents and grandparents lived. It's been over 35 years, but I can still remember the smell, and it was very similar to "Oud Wood (Eau de Parfum) | Tom Ford." In the village where I grew up, there was also a sawmill. It's still there, and when I occasionally walk by it today, I notice a comparable scent. In that situation, I find it pleasant, just like when I walk through the wood department at Bauhaus. However, now I have the wood on my arm and can't make anything of it. I simply don't want to smell like this, and to be honest, I can't understand why someone else would want to smell like this or radiate this scent. I always thought I would be into woody fragrances, but it seems I actually prefer smoke and burnt wood. I have "Acqua di Parisis Essenza Intensa - Black Oud | Reyane Tradition," which is very similar to "Oud Wood (Eau de Parfum) | Tom Ford," and I can't make anything of that either. They both have this woody note that I just don't see on people. This note has a slightly raspberry-like quality for me, but not in a good way. Since I've never smelled real oud, I now wonder if I even like it. Ombre Nomade is absolutely amazing, and I also find "Ameer Al Oudh Intense Oud | Lattafa / لطافة" great, but do those actually smell like oud, or do the two that I dislike so much? Or is there oud that I love and oud that I hate, like sugar and aspartame?
Does oud appeal to me or not? I'm really at a loss right now. I only know that I definitely don't want to smell like "Oud Wood (Eau de Parfum) | Tom Ford," and someone else would probably find it annoying too. This once again shows me how different tastes can be, as this fragrance is currently ranked 2nd among unisex scents, one place ahead of the magnificent "Herod | Parfums de Marly." Placing them side by side seems absolutely blasphemous to me, as if comparing a rusty Passat from the 90s with a Porsche.
For those who actually like this scent, I can only recommend "Acqua di Parisis Essenza Intensa - Black Oud | Reyane Tradition," which costs only a fraction of the Tom Ford but is a good deal more potent.
Postscript: Now, a few hours later, it smells like rubber, tires, balloons, whatever - but I don't need that on my skin either.
