Ombre Leather 16 by Tom Ford

OL 16 is a luminous, sweet, floral feminine and delicate leather. The bottle already smells of violets before opening. I know that violet leaf is listed, but there is clearly violet flower here: sweet, bright, sensual and feminine. Along with a soft leather (I compare it to half-tanned suede), they are the absolute protagonists. In the opening, that bright, sweet violet goes with green streaks which I suppose are the leaves. It is nothing dusty like other violets and although it has a slight bitterness, it is sweet and bright; my nose detects a fruity facet. A few minutes later, the thin leather emerges like unfinished brown suede, not black leather. It maintains a tug-of-war between the violet that softens and creates a trail and a sensual leather, a little dirty but elegant at close range. The moss is a third-string player, adding a dry, earthy touch, not wet. I cannot find the cardamom and the patchouli is very weak, only at the end. It is very pretty, more feminine than masculine due to its floral-sensual facet; as it dries, the leather disappears and the violet remains, more earthy, close to the skin. I love it for myself but I would not wear it daily (I would get saturated). I have read on Fragrantica that it has good projection and longevity; on my skin (only twice in temperate weather), the projection is moderate at first, 75% violet and 15% leather. After an hour, it becomes an aura scent, close to the skin. I like that T.F. uses synthetic animal notes so realistic. Incredible value for money. T.F. has other pretty ones (such as Tobacco Vanille) that for me lack depth. Ombre Leather 16 is sensual, elegant with soul and mystery. Post-script: I saw it discontinued but I bought a small bottle yesterday, 06/09/17, at the official T.F. perfumerie in Barcelona. Post-script 2: I forgot to mention one of the best phases: the opening and early middle are tarred, rubberised, luxurious. Marvelous.