Café Rose by Tom Ford

Bought a decant of the DARK PLEASURE clone by Alexandria, but there isn’t a trace of coffee in it at any point.

I give it a ‘love it’ for the rose aroma, which is spectacular, but it lacks originality; it smells like something I’ve heard a thousand times. I expected something dark and potent with intense roses and bitter coffee, but it’s a fresh, sweet floral. After 15 minutes, the rose is nuanced with a base of amber, incense, and patchouli, yet it remains a ubiquitous rose classic. The coffee is non-existent, though perhaps it’s a caramelised cappuccino blending with the sweetness of the amber. The longevity is moderate: it projects strongly at first, then becomes intimate. It lasts a bit longer than average but stays close to the skin. I adore the rose scent, but I was disappointed because dozens of cheaper perfumes do just as well. I do love it, but I wouldn’t buy it; I can fill that niche with better and more affordable fragrances. Scent: 9.5, Longevity: 9, Sillage: 6, Value for money: 4, Versatility: 8, Overall: 7.

I adore rose perfumes, especially the dark ones. In Café Rose, the coffee is completely absent; I’ve never detected it, not at the start, not as it dries down, and not at the end. There are only roses, but not a clean rose; rather, a varied bouquet where the roses are scattered, more like a green floral. What I notice most is the pepper at the beginning, with that tickle in the nose, followed by patchouli and a very faint incense. It’s a pity there’s no coffee; I would have loved to try that blend. I feel it’s unisex, perhaps leaning more towards feminine. It doesn’t last long on my skin, around 4 or 5 hours, and the sillage is poor. It hasn’t pleased me enough to justify its price.

Brutal fragrance. One of the most exquisite and elegant from Tom Ford. For me, it far surpassed Tobacco Vanille, which was so highly praised. It’s a sweet ambered rose scent where the coffee remains very hidden. If you can, buy it. It suits any season, especially when you want to make a statement.

Café Rose is floral and fresh. I tried it and before knowing the notes, I thought I smelled some fruit, although now that I see the list, there isn’t any. After the opening, the flowers, especially the rose (according to Fragrantica, there are several types), take over the scent. Sandalwood, incense, and patchouli appear timidly; they’re supporting actors because the star is the rose. What I couldn’t distinguish was the coffee, unless its presence is closer to raw green bean, which I have less of in my memory. I think it suits both men and women; although the floral aspect brings back memories of 80s feminine perfumes, I see no problem in a man wearing it. You can tell the ingredients are of good quality and it’s very versatile for any season, as its floral nature makes it light. It lasted 10 hours and the projection was moderate. Worth trying and getting to know.