Tom Ford for Men (2007)
by Tom Ford

The misleading beginning is like a whiskey with its sheer smokey, orangy, spicy and liquorous vibe. This part is appealing, smells like a niche fragrance and you would almost wish drinking it. In a while the smell evolves in something more conventional  and watered (ginger and citrus, --lavender?) in the middle between Dior Homme and L'Instant Pour Homme but in a really faint and fluidy version, something barely chocolatey-vanillic, slightly nutty, mossy, vaguely laundry, powdery and aromatic of anise and herbs. In this phase the scent smells like a designer fragrance, rather ordinary and mediocre. The woods are too faint to inprint texture and temperament. The lasting power is really faint and the scent becomes soon impalpable.

29th January, 2012.

A fragrance that's really nice to spend the day with. That's good because even after a shower it lingers! But (maybe because I'm a beginner) a description of exactly what the fragrance is eludes me. It's just great to find a fragrance that goes the distance without becoming stale.

22nd January, 2012.

Tom Ford for Men by Tom Ford - The opening treats one to a lovely, lemon accord, fashioned from the lemon leaf oil, bergamot and mandarin orange, which dances nicely with ginger. This lively accord is somewhat tinged with a soapiness, perhaps, from the basil and violet leaf. Transitioning to its evocative heart, this citrus mingles and morphs with the pepper, tabacco leaf, grapefruit blossom and neroli to stew wonderfully, adding a spicy, floral and smokey flavor. The heart segues into a creamy base, evolving from its woody cedar, amber, kisses of leather, wet greens, cypriol root, and hints of bitters and sweetness. This rapturous cocktail melds into a mossy, woody and musky drydown. Not an edgy scent to be sure, rather a well-balanced representation of an established formula, this fragrance exemplifies a woody, earthy and musky scent. The projection is good, and the longevity is average.

13rd November, 2011.

This is a citrus-topped woody aromatic with some leather hints and a bit of a powdery dry-down. It's pleasant and somewhat masculine. Let's face it, no one is going to invent some new fragrance no one has ever experienced before unless some new scent is discovered in the world. There are well-crafted scents and thrown-together scents. Some are overly synthetic and some smell nearly natural.

This is a well made scent. Maybe it's not the most original but... I think some reviews are colored by the feeling that for price or brand there should be something more to the scent than what they experienced. This can be fixed by remembering to get samples before buying a bottle.

Tom Ford for Men is something a classy, well- dressed man can wear and it becomes an impressive ambient aroma. It's the wearer that makes the scent.

25th August, 2011.

Tom Ford is considered a legend in the art of perfumery and like many others have stated, this fragrance was a huge let down. This is partly from the fact that Tom Ford understands and embodies the concept of a true gentleman. M7, Gucci Envy, Rive Gauche, and even his private line all have an untamed beauty and a unique quality that truly captures the modern man with class. For me, Tom Ford for men wasn't all that bad but it wasn't all that great either, not even a hair close. I purchased it blindly because I read a male magazine article that ranked Tom Ford for Men number one in a "Best Fragrances for Men" list and even went into detail with how the fragrance develops, it's appeal and aspects, etc etc..in order to justify its number 1 spot. So, I bought it and was super excited and when I received it, it was just another one of "those" scents. It had this very outdated feel to it but without being too old school. When I smelled it, I thought, "Man, where have I smelled this before?". I was completely disappointed but maybe my standards were too high, so, I lowered them and sniffed it for what it was and not for what it was supposed to be and the results were a bit more positive.

It opens up with a ginger, citrus accord and slowly develops into a woody amber scent. Disregard all other notes because this is all I get. The amber is somewhat creamy and the citrus remains for the scent life of the fragrance but does so in a softly manner over the light woods. The scent itself is pleasant but extremely mainstream and boring, not to mention a bit linear. Then poof, before you know it, it's gone. I figured that maybe Tom Ford wanted a fragrance for the everyday suit and tie kind of guy that works in an office, usually attends black tie events, but has an overall laid back outlook on life. He knows he's successful but doesn't allow it to get to his head. He works hard but can also play hard. When all that is taken into regard, suddenly this fragrance makes sense. Aside from the below average longevity and sillage, this fragrance is actually not that bad. It can be worn all seasons, day or night, by anyone with a formal to semi-formal lifestyle, although it seems it's work better for an older gentleman. My overall rating B-

27th June, 2011.

The very first minute or so is surprisingly light and citrusy, like it's trying to be orange-centric (Varvatos Artisan?). As this recedes, a quiet reassuring musky leather begins to take shape, and brings with it detatched florals in the style of Rochas Lui. Unfortunately, it also starts to get sweeter and more powdery, with a semi-rotten honey vibe. I assume there's some oud hiding in here, because I also get a medicinal quasi-cherry aspect, even though it doesn't clearly stem from a woody ingredient...maybe fruit? Either way, it contributes to what I would call a Habit Rouge air: heavy, poofy and powdery in a strained and phony way. I would not be comfortable at all wearing this.

14th May, 2011.