Tom Ford for Men (2007)
by Tom Ford

Notes:
Top: Mediterranean Hesperidic Notes, Lemon Leaf Oil, Basil, Mandarin Zest
Middle: Violet Leaves, Ginger, Grapefruit Flower Morocco, Tobacco Leaves
Base: Oakmoss, Vetiver Mist, Golden Amber, Leatherwood, Cypriol

Tom Ford Men (TFM) is a Classical Woods fragrance...and Tom Ford's cash-cow preying on the unsuspecting casual crowd. Displaying none of the unique, daring streak that Mr. Ford brought to YSL and Gucci in the late 1990s and 2000s, or with his recent releases such as Black Orchid and others, TFM is really for men...men who don't usually wear fragrances.

You could see the blueprint for TFM a mile away ... top load the fragrance with an attractive citrus accord composed of good quality lemon leaf oil which displays the tangy aspects quite nicely, and wrap it in juicy mandarin oil with a zesty zest. Let this attractive citrus burst dissipate over time into a light green 'generic man' violet leaf note, and then insert a 'generic woods' frame on which to hang this (money) sucker. Yes, ignore all the fancy schmancy notes listing such as Oakmoss, Cypriol(nagarmutha...I have used this oil and there isn't any of its distinctive earthy odour in TFM), or Leatherwood...you aren't going to get any of that here, its all going to be one 'generic woods' accord which you have probably smelled before in your forced trips to Macy's by your significant other.

The most interesting thing about TFM are the phallic references in the ad. You may notice that the least interesting Tom Ford has the most catchy ad copy. Commercialism at its best.

Rating: 5.25/10.0

Not bad, not great either. Kinda has a "blah" affect.

I am shocked that Tom Ford for Men is so unpopular here! To me, this is almost the perfect understated winter workhorse.

It opens with a nice, bracing bouquet of dry citrus and spices. There is no sweetness in the citrus at all: it is a very manly opening. Soon after, the citrus fades I get a slightly green but mostly peppery patchouli accord. Mossy woods and tobacco gradually enter the equation and soon we have a nearly perfect masculine base.

The evolution is steady and fluid. Tom Ford for Men is one of those scents that is blended so well that the evolution is difficult to track in terms of distinct phases. It just morphs and evolves as the notes fade in and out. There is nothing synthetic or cloying or obnoxious about it.

It lasts well over 12 hours on me, but stays close to the skin. I feel good in it, and people like it. There are no standout notes, but that is not a requirement for me. It is a standout in that it smells great.

I don't think Tom Ford is overrated as many do (Black Orchid is brillant) and he has some very good ideas but TF for Men just isn't very good. I tried it and was less than pleased with it it left me feeling cold.

This is a great cologne. The dry down is the best. If you only want one cologne, this is the one. Job well done Tom Ford.

For all the hype, this is a disappointing (and very short-lived) fragrance. It’s certainly masculine but in a run-of-the-mill sort of way. If you love subtle scents, which require constant re-application, this one may be for you.

[Original submission date: 10 April 2008]