White Patchouli by Tom Ford

The patchouli in this perfume impressed me greatly; it feels ceremonial and is the most elegant I’ve noticed. It smells like ultra-luxurious incense. I gifted it to my sister because it’s not my style, but it is hers; on her, it becomes dusty, not powdery in a talc way, but powdery like incense. If you are the kind of person who meditates but doesn’t shy away from luxury, this is your chance to smell the planet’s most opulent ashram.

It’s not entirely feminine; it borders on unisex. It smells elegant and opulent; the whiteness is only in the bottle; the reality is dark, earthy, and spicy. The patchouli is peculiar and unique, blending brilliantly with the flowers, coriander, and woods. The musk and incense merely support. It’s linear but perfect, suitable for neither women nor men blindly.

This isn’t purely a feminine fragrance; it sits right on the unisex borderline. It smells elegant and opulent, but the whiteness of the name comes only from the bottle; the reality is a dark, earthy, strong, and spicy scent. The patchouli note is peculiar and unique, and I adore it; it blends beautifully with all the flowers, the whites and the rose, alongside the coriander. The woods are always present, and although the musk and incense are there, they only serve as support. It’s a good perfume, definitely not one to buy blindly, nor exclusive to women or men. It’s linear, but perfect as it is.

I love the patchouli; it transports me and is very present, mixed with citrus and white flowers. The base is strange, the only thing I don’t like. A man can wear it without any issues.

It gives me the impression of a scent that embraces you but feels somewhat hollow, as if someone had lightly erased it; the heart is empty, and then you’re left with a patchouli that isn’t incisive but is persistent, surrounded by white flowers and jasmine. Compared to Black Orchid, this is far more versatile and remains elegant. [Update] If you’re looking for something more subtle yet persistent, I recommend Montale’s Starry Nights. It’s a toned-down patchouli: if Tom Ford’s Woody Oud were a 10 for patchouli concentration, Montale’s SN would be a 7 minus the incense. With careful application, it works well in warm weather, is easy in temperate climates, and suits rainy days.

I tested it on a blotter a few days ago. The opening was nothing outside the classic, but once it settled, what beauty. The middle notes reminded me a bit of Narciso Rodríguez, I suppose the rose. The patchouli comes in slowly, earthy but very harmonious. The flowers are always there, soft, creamy, slightly powdery. I wore it in my jacket pocket, and when I opened it, the aroma rose… it dried out a bit more citrusy, and three days later it’s still noticeable on the blotter. Oh dear, if I had that money, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it. This and the Orchid Soleil…

I saw it in my mother’s wardrobe today and decided to put a little on my forearm. I remembered it as something yes and no, but what a surprise that it smells unpleasantly of oxidised iron. I went to a tester later and it gave me the same sensation.

Today I finally found Tom Ford in my city, almost crying with joy hehe. I was dying to try it, and today I started with two. I’ll go on testing more and posting reviews later. This perfume is very linear and much softer than expected, but it’s very good. It’s a masculine patchouli softened by white flowers, which are very perceptible and pleasant. I’m sorry I can’t say more as my nose isn’t in condition these days hehe, I’ll re-review and comment more later.