Arabian Wood (2009)
by Tom Ford

Although a definite chypre , it's not as harsh as say, Safari , very like Sisley's Soir de Lune, it has a brightness which opens with a bit of lavender underpinned by the bitterness of the Oak Moss which is replaced with the smoother texture of sandalwood . The rose takes a while to kick in and shares the stage with the patchouli about an hour into the event. Unlike Soir de Lune , AW dries down into a much creamier texture .

This is a scent for both hot and cold climates which is unusual for Tom Ford .
I'll bet it heats up into something else in a warm climate .

I too get more oud than clinical Germoline/ Elasoplast

I love it , I just wish that at the price, the silage was better as MikePerez23 has also commented.
Can't really see this as a male scent - it's very feminine .

12nd January, 2012.

This mixture of rose and wood is sexy for a woman to wear, but for me I couldn't wear it. Too feminine.

22nd July, 2010. (Last Edited: 23rd August, 2010.)

Its ok... Not at all worth the price in my opinion.

16th May, 2010.

Although the name 'Arabian Wood' is redolent and enticing, it in no way -- IMO -- describes this divine, bitter soapy chypre.
Very much of a nod to the great soap-and-galbanum chypres of the past, such as: 'Safari', 'Ivoire', Jacomo "Silences", and 'Niki de Saint Phalle', 'Arabian Wood' is a respectful, complex chypre with a surprisingly "old-school" flavor. How wonderful is that?!

But it's not only a pleasure to encounter a modern chypre with good bones, it's also totally exciting to see this genre of bitterhot chypre 'expanded' to unisex status; fragrances like this, twenty years ago, were marketed to women only, even though I have long thought their dry, bitter and soapy effect to be well-suited to a warm, clean, elegant men's aesthetic, too.

That said, modernists need not veer clear of this classically-styled fragrance; it's subtlety, composure and crisp rose accord lend it a decidedly modern air and set it apart -- in terms of intensity -- from it's much-"louder" style-progenitors. And, for this reason, I actually consider it preferable to the above-mentioned classics: it manages to satisfy my strong-chypre craving without making me feel self-conscious that I am over-perfumed.

Finally, this is a very inviting, warm, and sensual fragrance. And one of those rare unisex offerings that really manages to really 'sex-up' both female and male attributes of its respective female and male wearers. For me, personally, the associations I have to it are, perhaps, more erotic than any other modern scent I can conjure.

Five Stars Plus...
So great, it's even worth the price. And another total must-have for fans of the bitter, thick chypre...

15th February, 2010.

For those who are familiar with Arabic scents, you will definitely find its character in Tom Ford's incarnation. Heavy on the rose and patchouli, with a heavy woody tone at the base. The difference is in the concentration, however. Despite it being labeled as an eau de parfum, it's about half the concentration of your typical Arabic eau de parfum. It smells much like an Arabic fragrance I used to own, called Sultan by Swiss Arabiya, or a perfume oil called Shaikhah by Al Rehab.

Since it was created for the Arabic clientele, they would definitely smell a familiarity with the rest of their native scented creations, but they might balk at the price for such a pallid concentration.

I applaud TF for creating an Arabic style fragrance in its classic structure, but it fails to wow me in exoticism and originality. You can have a true Arabic concentrated perfume oil, bottled in a fancy jeweled and gilded flacon, and housed in a satin lined box for under 50 bucks or less (compared to a TF fragrance costing $185), and will last you for a very very long time because it is so concentrated, all you need is way less than a drop that will produce a dense sillage. Let's not forget to mention it doesn't start to dry down until after 12 hours or so...do the math. ;)

13rd January, 2010.

The first spray of Arabian Wood is neither woody nor ‘Arabian’ but something imperceptibly fougère-like, herbal and slightly nose tickling (angelica?) combined with a sharp varnish / nail polish remover accord. It took a couple of wearings for my nose to become accustomed to it and then only when it’s warmed on skin for at least 20 – 30 minutes do you start to perceive a warm, ashy gentle frankincense accord.

I’m familiar with a handful of pure aoud oils, which to me vary greatly in overall smell and complexity. A few of the high quality oils are just gorgeous. Arabian Wood conveys this same accord not as an oil, but as a fragrance (not easy to do) while avoiding the typical medicinal (Band-Aid like) sharpness. It reminds me of the dry down of aoud fragrances (the Montales and Amouages) after a couple hours – almost as if 5 to 10 hours of sharp, medicinal notes are fast forwarded and skipped and you instantly arrive at the plush, velvety floral/wood aroma. I love it! The frankincense blends seamlessly with the taif style rose and then a gentle white floral note finishes it off in a luxurious and sensual style.

Arabian Wood by Tom Ford is exclusive to the city of Kuwait (one of the richest countries in the world) and this scent feels appropriately decadent. However, unlike genuine Middle Eastern attars, Arabian Wood diffuses and doesn’t wear thick or heavy – its incense and complexity aren’t trapped close to the body of the wearer. I wish it lasted longer – it is gone in 3-4 hours. I also wish it was more affordable – but compared to pure Arabian attars prices, Arabian Wood is lower priced (for once). Imagine that?

Notes for Tom Ford Arabian Wood: Patchouli, Lavander, Galbanum, Bergamot, Gardenia, Jasmine, Rose, Oakmoss, Orris and Sandalwood

26th May, 2009.