Oud Wood

Tom Ford Oud Wood is what the Spy from Team Fortress 2 would wear. It smells like smoke, dark wood and an expensive suit.

How it smells

It's part of Tom Ford's Private Blend line, and if people have scared you off oud by saying it smells like a barn, this one is safe. There's very little of that funky smell in it. You get dry wood with some black pepper and cardamom on top (think chai spice), and after an hour or so it gets a bit creamier and sweeter, like vanilla. There's a light smoky note the whole way through, and late in the day it goes dry and a little ashy.

Go easy on the sprays

On me it stays close to the skin, so the DPS is low. People across the room won't notice it, but anyone who leans in for a handshake will. You do have to be careful with how much you spray, though. It's only understated at one or two sprays. Anything more than that and it starts to choke you and the people around you. I get around six hours out of it, and I'd wear it in fall and winter, to the office, to dinner or on a date.

Worth your gold?

Yes, but it depends on what kind of player you are. It's around €263 or $460 for 100 ml (Douglas lists it at €358 when it isn't on sale), which is Unusual hat money. Oud Wood is a bit out of the ordinary, so for a fragrance tryhard like me, full price is genuinely great value. For casuals who just want to smell nice every day, it isn't worth full price: wait for a sale, or grab the 10 ml travel size first. If the quiet projection bugs you, Tom Ford released a stronger Parfum version in 2024, but it only comes in 50 ml and costs $402.

Buy it if you're a fragrance tryhard who wants something a bit out of the ordinary, or you find it on sale.

Skip it if you want projection for your money or a loud scent for a night out.