Amber, vanilla and some of the heart notes described above bring the whole thing to a close A really beautiful fragrance, with an extremely elaborate scent gradient.

Underneath this initial layer, and what emerges more and more afterward, is an amber/tonka bean combination. This is when, the perfume starts to get good for me, the sweet smooth notes settling things down. Those two notes really makes the smokiness of the Tobacco Oud Intense, much more tolerable, and it sort of has a leathery quality to it. Tobacco Oud Intense (TOI as of now) follows a similar path, staying truer to the origin DNA. What strikes you immediately is the stronger, more austere and animalic oud note. This was not at all pronounced in the original. This one smells a bit boozy due to the oud and quite warm as a result. TOI has replaced this boozy note in the opening with pure animalic. So the first 2 minutes in the opening are certainly a slap in the face for untrained noses. Mr.Ed has lit the cigar. There are embers glowing in the horse stable. The wisps of smoke fight their way through the manure piles, Mr. Ed takes another drag and then trots out of the stable.Durability is at a top level. Tom Ford typical. 8-10 hours are no problem. The first 3 hours with fierce radiance. This tobacco smell now accompanies the wearer for several hours. While the tobacco was slightly dirty in the normal TO, it is very noble and somewhat more reserved in the TOI. The Tobacco Oud Intense (from now on abbreviated as TOI) starts with a sharp, violent and light-fruity raspberry in the prelude. This is probably the striking difference to the normal Tobacco Oud. The opening of this fragrance, definitely goes hard with the tobacco and oud note. It has a dark and smokey aroma, with a slight spice, which I take is from the coriander. It’s not an intense smell, in my opinion, but there is just a large abundance of those ingredients.

After the intense opening, the fragrance takes a balsamic direction. You can smell various herbs, spices and a lot of hot, scratchy and slightly sweet tobacco. Ultimately, I get a smooth ambery tobacco, with a mix of sweet/smokey and a woodsy base. It’s a warm and very smooth aroma, with a definite masculine edge. Honestly just give Chanel Egoiste a try - it is very versatile, and it is definitely rich, sexy (maybe not provocative) and smells better than 98% of the perfumes out there. It can be dressed up or down, though isn't too casual. It is appropriate for night outs in a wide variety of situations and weather/climate. You just need to apply it smartly (less or more) depending on how you want to use it. Try it to see if you'd like it. People either love it from the get go, never like it, or grow to love it (I'm in this group), but those who love it hardly ever grow bored of it.

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There is a dirty and outdoorsy undertone, throughout the whole wear. I guess, I should just call it earthy, but it is quite noticeable up top before Tobacco Oud Intense transitions to its next stage. Two reasons for exploring - a) Tastes/preferences change b) I feel there are a lot more you could try. It feels like something that should be worn at least in a semi-formal situation or business attire. Tobacco Oud Intense isn’t a Tom Ford fragrancefor casual wear. Nor is it going to be something for the bar/nightlife scene. Also, during the dry down, I find that the oud isn’t as present. Of course, it’s still there, but I get way more tobacco in the last 3/4’s of this fragrance. The other wood notes (cedar and sandalwood) do sit at the base and create a woodier scent, as it moves along, it’s just not that signature oud scent overpowering everything.