Bois Rouge (2007)
by Tom Ford

Opens with a crisp citrus accord (bergamot?) and then dries down into a base of cedar, sandalwood and patchouli sweetened by some vanilla, a little amber and to my nose maybe even a little cinnamon.

Unfortunately this scent stays fairly close to the skin, not unlike some of its brothers from the Private Blend. It certainly doesn't project in the same fashion as something like Tobacco Vanille does.

It is however a very gentelmanly scent, in the same vein as Guerlain's Heritage (EdT), Habit Rouge (EdP ), or Creed's Bois du Portugal. However I'm not sure I prefer it over them.

I hesitated to give it a thumbs up, since projection and sillage are such large factors with scents, especially with this kind of price tag.

I have some serious doubts about this being unisex. I would take a seriously brave or butch woman to pull this one off. That being said I think I'd like this on my husband. Maybe. I get an inky accord in the top notes I hope goes away-being just sprayed I'll have to wait to find out. I do get the medicinal quality as well. Like opening a new package of bandage wrap. Other than that I get the wood note. I have it, I know where I have smelled this before. The smell of a tree being cut down by a chainsaw: the fresh cut wood that is "hot" from the blade cutting into it and the scent of chainsaw oil and maybe a little gasoline. When I was young I was around someone who did this and I know the smell. That's what Bois Rouge reminds me of. I'll give it a neutral because it's a little out there for me. I wouldn't consider this a scent one should smell like unless you're a lumberjack.

Smokey tea with a slice of lemon...then settling into a smokey, spiced wood. Very comforting, dry and warm. For me, it leans toward the masculine, although it is completely wearable by either gender.

A light spice and sweet woods not too unlike Bois du Portugal. I get some vanilla in the base and gives it a gourmand twist.

The open was satisfying and acceptable but nothing I got excited about. It was decent and pleasant, but forgettable. However, I really don't like the midle. It turns sharp, medicinal (not in a good way like a good oud), and "cheap" if that makes sense. The drydown is actually quite nice but I can't fight all the way through just for a 'nice' end result.

I LOVE the private blend series and have plenty on my top list, but this one fell very short. I don't hate it, but I wouldn't buy it compared to the rest in its class.

A woody and spicy scent of the strong and boozy variety, like liquid wood concentrate. It almost has a gourmandy quality of cherry, marzipan or bitter almond. Quite original!