As part of an upscale collection of fragrances, Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood was released with several other scents as Tom Ford Private Blend, a line designed to appeal to a more upscale clientele who wanted a more niche-focused collection of fragrances. The collection started with twelve individual fragrances and grew through the addition and retiring of items to sustain interest in the line.
Oud Wood was among the original twelve and continues to remain part of the lineup despite other scents being dropped, either through natural attrition or low interest. Given the interest in Oud over the past few years, as well as a prior article written about an earlier Tom Ford Oud creation (Yves Saint Laurent M7), it became time for us to give this another look and see how it plays out in a wider selection of niche fragrances in that genre.
Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood (2007)
Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood (2007): Oud is never usually distilled on its own, but rather combined with other elements to form a complete experience. Tom Ford’s rendition is no different. This is a vanillic Oud augmented by other woody elements, Tonka Bean, vanilla, spices, vetiver and amber to form a rounded and accessible scent.
The top notes include cardamom and sichuan pepper form the top notes, followed by heart notes of Oud, sandal wood, Brazilian Rosewood, and vetiver to round out the central theme. Amber, Tonka Bean and vanilla form the base which stands out as mellow and creamy.
Unlike many of Ford’s other fragrances, this is not steeped in deep incense, and the natural resins behind the Oud have an opportunity to be showcased here as augmented by other woods and the greenness of vetiver. The opening, despite the pepper and cardamom notes, is actually mellow but intriguing. The base flows very naturally from the heart notes, so the final dry-down is neither harsh nor overwhemingly sweet. Balance here is the key, so the fragrance walks a fine line of moderation: being intriguing enough without going too far over-the-top or becoming dull.
That said, this is not a “wow-factor” type of scent. It is a very mellow composition that has a mild character and captures an essence for the study of an Oud without being overly augmented. In past and future reviews, you’ll notice many variations on the theme, but without being too prescriptive, TFPB Oud Wood is a simple, elegant, yet subdued point of reference. If you’re seeking powerful and pungent a la Le Labo Oud 27, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a complex and floral elegance much like Bond No. 9′s New York Oud, you won’t experience that? Leather as a note? Go seek out Tuscan Leather, or better still, try layering the two.
This is simple, not very fussy, not showy. Elegant and understated. Everything seems to match well. And despite many of the Private Blend fragrances being termed as ‘unisex’, this is one that could truly work with both genders depending on skin chemistry. Smelling this on a certain woman might not be completely out of the question.
Rating: 3.75/5. Recommended.
Bottom-line: If you’re looking for a well-composed, elegantly understated Oud that doesn’t completely fade into the fabric. This is one I could recommend. It’s very simple. Are there better Oud fragrances available? Simply, yes. But that is a matter of preference in terms of what you’d care to experience from an Oud. Our reservation is the price point, which is slightly high for even a niche market at $195 for 50ml, $265 for 100ml. Other scents in this category, at an eau de parfum strength, would be in the range of $240 and below for 100 ml, less still for the 50ml size. This is a bit pricy for the simplicity that it brings.
That said, it forms a good reference point for an introduction to Oud and worth sampling to determine in what directions you might like to take an Oud fragrance. TFPB Oud layers well, so should you decide to combine it with another scent, you’ll know the layers you’ve augmented.
I'm Andrew Buck, the man behind the words. I'm a published author, project management practitioner for over 20 years, work on Wall Street, and am a fragrance aficionado. I've had a passion for fragrance for 30+ years, and enjoy trying scents and adding to an expanding and rotating collection for some time now. 
