Venetian Bergamot Tom Ford 2015

Full disclosure: I tested 4 Tom Fords last week within 2 hours. This was the first applied and I was wild for it at the beginning! Springlike magnolia breeze and just a tiny wisp of buttery gardenia, with a gentleness and never overwhelming Earl Grey note. I sensed a dull steady woody backbone, wearing a spicy ginger suit. My initial reaction was "Ummm...creamy, yet fresh...definitely Unisex, easily a 3-season signature scent...sold!" Then as I contemplated the infamous Tom Ford price tags, and let the scent open up on my arm, that cashmere and sandalwood base became louder and more insistent "Hey Girl, Can I have your number?", it began to shout. I felt that sudden sense of annoyance I have experienced with Illuminum's "Bergamot Blossom" and Lubin's "Nuit de Longchamp". None of these are bombastic, cheaply acquired, all are substantial and display masterful work...but as inexplicably as a heartfelt ballad by Michael Bolton, these three scents just get on my nerves, literally. What was happening to my 'Precious' was it a malvolent Sauron in disguise? I wondered on to test TF's "Shanghai Lily" on paper and then gave "Champaca Absolute" a second testing on my other arm. Meanwhile chatting away about fragrance with the SR and how "Neroli Portofino" is my go-to summer fragrance but I can't bare it when it is cold and grey and I am filled with bitter tears...30 minutes flew by like 10. Back to the Venetian Bergamot, now fully warm and fully developed on my arm, I went from Love to definitely not happening in the span of an hour. But you can't knock a guy for trying. The good news is that if you are looking for an effervescent splash of ginger, not unlike Origins "Ginger Essence", to chaperon a dry woody bergamot-centric main event with notes of light fresh magnolia dancing about, this will provide adequate sillage of 6-8 hours, fairly close to the skin and without compromising on quality ingredients. It's perfectly fine really, just not perfect enough for me.