Bois Rouge
Tom Ford (2007)

Just for a second it reminds me of CK Obsession for Men, but it goes into its own direction. It has a distinct 70s/80s masculine dark vibe. Opens up with a beautiful citrus, then goes straight into the dry woody cedar note, leather backs it up. It has a beautiful spicy smokiness. Nighttime fall/winter only.

Also this is a cousin to Japon Noir, except this is more woody and dry.

This one always flew a little under the radar, sitting in the shadow of Japon Noir from the same original lineup. This is a potent composition of smoked leather, resinous woods, and ambered patchouli. It's beautiful in the cooler seasons, and one of my favorites from the house.

Finally wearing the discontinued Tom Ford Bois Rouge, a bottle that I blind bought earlier this year, a great deal and purely by chance–considering it's a discontinued fragrance from the Private Blend line that's generally difficult to come by–having read good things about it, and those good things are generally true.

It's spicy, woody, semi-animalic fragrance that feels both a little antiquated and right-on-the-nose as far as contemporary scent profile. Its note list consists of bergamot, florals (jasmine, lily of the valley), patchouli, woods (cedar, sandalwood), amber, leather, vanilla, and vetiver. It's provocative while being harmonious, with patchouli, leather, and vetiver giving things a kick vs. the freshness of bergamot and the relative comfort of the florals, amber, vanilla, and woods. I enjoy its density and again how it harkens back to more classically masculine powerhouse fragrances while simultaneously being a modern unisex multifaceted creation.

It's an outstanding performer, really quite great and consistent with the Tom ford Private Blend releases of the late 2000s, albeit not as much of a powerhouse as Tobacco Vanille, Noir de Noir, or Amber Absolute. And while it's in the same vein as Japon Noir–another discontinued Private Blend from the 2000s–in terms of its spicy and slightly animalic character, Bois Rouge is not quite as provocative overall, I'd say, despite being a little bit easier to wear than Japon Noir. The comparison is warranted, though.

I'm quite impressed by Bois Rouge and glad that I have it.

8 out of 10

I am a little baffled after wearing Bois Rouge and comparing its listed notes with what I smelled. My perceptions are also rather different in its details from what most reviewers assess this scent to be. I primarily find it to be a spicy, woody scent with prominent leathery undertones. I find an accord of woods and leather that isn't far removed from Bel Ami or Declaration. I find Bois du Portugal mentioned, but they are somewhat different in my books due to the nature of the spices. While I am not able to isolate individual spice notes in the Creed, Bois Rouge smells of something that distinctly hints at cumin. On my skin, Bois Rouge lasts an appreciable six to seven hours with moderate projection for about the first three hours.

Bois Rouge isn't anything special, but a decent, commendable woods fragrance in an overcrowded genre. I find it to be a tad synthetic smelling at times (as is usual with Tom Ford Private Blends) as opposed to something like Bois du Portugal or Bel Ami which possess natural elegance. Bois Rouge has some mild smokey aspects that add a dimension of interest. Bois Rouge sits at the cross roads of the leathers (Bel Ami) and woods (Bois du Portugal), but is much less distinctive than something like Declaration that occupies the same niche in my books. Overall, Bois Rouge is more likely to appeal to Tom Ford collectors than discerning enthusiasts.

It is nice, but is nice good enough?

3/5

Atypical, pleasant, and thought-provoking are the main descriptions I'd give to Tom Ford's Bois Rouge scent.

Woody-oriental-leathery-sweet-green is the vibe I get from BR. Requisite bergamot opening leads into the funky forest of fragrance sensation that closely resembles TF's Japon Noir. Earthy, sexy, sublime EdP that defies immediate definition, BR feels smoky, oily and mossy as well, with tasteful dashes of jasmine and patchouli.

I read some reviewers liken aspects of BR to a soiled rag soaked with mechanical oil; I agree with that assessment, but I'm glad that this is not the dominating essence of BR...just a daring quality that takes it to a new direction (I got a similar vibe from Bulgari's Black, which has a candlewax and smoke thing which smell odd on its own, but it is a contributing aspect that shapes that scent into something much greater).

Moderate sillage and okay longevity. Worth checking out for its atypical quality; opinions may differ on whether it'd be wearable, man or woman, and that would require an in-person test spritz.

Probably one of the weirdest TF private blends if not the weirdest. It has the skeleton of Japon Noir but has this sweet woody band-aid ish hypnotic thing going on. I guess it's sandalwood. I don't get leather at all...I'm at a loss for words on this one, it really is very hard to describe and not in a good way. Not sure why I ended up buying this one...probably because it says Tom Ford Private Blend on the bottle and is discontinued. Unlike Japon Noir though, which is one of my favorites, this one barely gets any use at all. This one like Japon Noir isn't masculine or feminine, it's just plain weird! Sorry I know that isn't doing it justice or helpful, but I don't know what else to say lol.