One of my favorite fragrance YouTubers is Justin Copeland. The title of this review is a mantra of his, and it has stuck with me: "specificity is polarizing." I think it not only applies to perfume, but all forms of art as well. Most people prefer a $20 bottle of wine to a $200 one. And that is not a failing on the part of those who prefer the cheaper bottle. It's just that the expensive bottle is for more specific tastes. Most people are going to find it below average, but for the few that like the specific tasting notes it contains in that combination, it is going to be a 10/10.
Ébène Fumé is a Specific fragrance with a capital "S." Powerful, smoky, dry, resinous woods with little-to-no-sweetness. Reading the reviews and statements, it seems as though half of the reviewers like me, think it is incredible, while the other half find it linear and one-dimensional. Which it is - balsamic resins, smoky cade, dry papyrus, dusty violet leaf come together to paint an absolutely desolate landscape. For me, it is gorgeous in its simplicity and minimalism. No florals, no vanilla, no spices that would usually be added to balance out the woodiness in most other oriental fragrances.
Fragrances like this are the reason I think blind-buying based on recommendation is pointless. No one is going to call this blind-buy worthy. It is not mass-appealing, it is not easy-to-wear, it is not even necessarily pleasant. But when you only buy fragrances that are 8/10s for everybody, you miss out on fragrances that are perfect or near-perfect to you specifically.
A hidden gem in the Tom Ford private line and one that everyone should try, but never blind-buy.
