Tom Ford – Bitter Peach – Bitter indeed. 3/10.
Tom Ford giveth and Tom Ford taketh away. I think Tom Ford has taken away my sense of smell and taste in perfume. Everyone I know loves this Private Blend scent, but I’m not one of them. There’s something a little off with this one that I can’t quite put my finger on. Might it be the syrupy, boozy notes combined with the bitter herbal bite of the davana? Perhaps. Though, I’m not a fan of the patchouli in this one either. It’s just a weird mix to my nose, maybe even something medicinal about it. Oh well, never mind, plenty more Private Blends to love.
Tom Ford – Vert des Bois – Sappy green goodness. 7.5/10.
Like I said, plenty more Private Blends to enjoy. And with so many, it’s easy to miss a few here and there. Case in point is Vert des Bois, an intrigruing take on the fougere genre. It doesn’t receive too many mentions. But it’s worth a sample. It’s got a certain je ne sais quoi. Olivier Gillotin’s skilful use of herbal and aromatic notes of poplar buds and olive tree creates a sappy, woody, almost pine-like forest aroma. However, there’s a certain darkness and sweetness to the forest that is only broken up by a few wildflowers here and there.
Although, what takes Vert des Bois into a newer realm are the anise and plum notes. Both notes give the scent a hint of sweetness and smokiness. In addition, the tonka in the base imparts a slightly roasted nutty feel to the woods and greenery. In the end, Vert des Bois drys down to a very wearable patchouli base that feels like a welcome grounding following a tour around a forest somewhere on a Greek Island. Recommended.
Tom Ford – Vert Boheme – Galbanum green – 7/10.
I highly endorse the whole “Vert” line from Tom Ford. Vert Boheme isn’t the most original, however. It borrows heavily from the Chanel playbook, namely No.19 and Cristalle. So, if you’re not a fan of those scents, Vert Boheme won’t be to your liking. It’s mossy galbanum green with an ozonic violet leaf in tow. Dewy florals of honeysuckle and magnolia give it a morning fresh lightness and sparkle. Further freshness comes from a minty note. This mint note is not officially listed, but a light herbal/camphorous effect is evident to my nose. Eventually, some woody notes complete the green gathering as it settles into a skin scent. It’s not as good as Vert des Bois, but it’s worth a sample if you’re looking for a more conventional green scent.
Do you know these scents? Are you one of the billions of fans of Bitter Peach? Do you have a favourite from the Tom Ford Vert series?
Note: Bottle images from Fragrantica.