Oud Minérale by Tom Ford

Well formulated. Conceptually similar but with different notes, this Oud Minerale competes with fragrances like Orto Parisi’s Megamare and, unfortunately for me (or maybe luckily), Lattafa’s Atlas. The ambroxan in Atlas changed my perception of this genre. It’s much kinder than the previous ones, though it remains challenging: it’s not for a middle-class upper-middle-class girl’s dad, brother, friend, or boyfriend to wear on a summer trip to Cancún, Punta Cana, or Chiang Mai. It’s a conceptual proposal that prioritizes the user and their desire to evoke the sea, skipping the fence of pleasing the surroundings. It offers its notes of algae, salt, ambroxan, and marine elements from the start; these lean more toward dimethyl sulfide and bromophenols than calone, drawing small coves rather than open beaches. Gradually, the Oud appears, extremely kind, almost disappointing because it only fuels a petrolic afternote that many clearly notice, while I feel it peripherally and harmlessly. The result is fresh and relatively kind, though don’t expect compliments (not even by showing off the cost). The projection is just right and appreciated; the longevity is quite good. I don’t imagine it for women, but that’s relative. A very good proposal, less challenging than Megamare and Atlas, in the line of less mainstream sea scents. Worth trying.

Launched in 2017 by perfumer Shyamala Maisondeau. An ideal Western Oud for hot climates that masterfully balances the marine, salty green touch, and Western Oud, nothing like the typical stable Oud. If you own Oud Wood, it will bring back memories but adds marine and salty touches. Longevity: over 10 hours. Projection: 2-3 hours. Versatility: semi-formal to formal events in the heat. A spectacular fragrance, in my opinion.

It doesn’t work for me; I smell salt and algae, but that persistent petroleum note throughout the entire development makes it unbearable 😖. I got the Signature version, but I really hope the Private Blend is more pleasant.

It does have a certain sea smell, but it doesn’t immerse me in that emotion as much. Although I like it, it’s original. To me, more than a sea scent, it gives the sensation of cold, solitude, and independence, especially with people who evolve physically and mentally. Solitude, lots of positive solitude.

Fresh, radiant, and briny in just the right measure; I’d say it’s for afternoons on warm days. It’s pleasant to wear; I suspect it’s tolerated even by those who don’t like marine perfumes. Its opening changes from person to person: very marine for some (algae, salt, breeze) and for others a fresh perfume, less salty, with a woody hint.

Okay, I had already tried a decant of the private formula and loved it. A few days ago I bought the new version in a cardboard box. Smelling it directly from the cap, it smelled as I remembered, but upon spraying, I noticed they added an unpleasant note like oil or petroleum that I don’t like. At the base, it’s still almost identical, only that note ruins it. In my opinion, it fades a bit over time, but it remains present. Longevity, no problem: I put half a spray on my neck, without squeezing the atomizer much, and it lasted about 10 hours. So much that the scent started to bother me during the day. Hope this helps.

One of my favorites. It’s very much in the realm of salty marine perfumes. It doesn’t evolve, staying always in its same chords, which is nothing bad at all. I like that from time to time those sharp hits of scent come through that don’t let you forget what you’re wearing.

Starts with that metallic touch, then wet earth and green. It could use a bit more punch, but otherwise I absolutely love it. First try, I’ll have to wear it and see how it sits on me.

Brutal perfume, it takes me back to childhood playing in the street on rainy days. It smells like wet cobblestones, damp earth, and a bathroom after a shower with soaking wet tiles. I don’t detect any oud. It might seem strange at first for those not used to it, but over time it hooks you and you can’t stop smelling it. It reminds me a lot of Calvin Klein CK2, which does list wet cobblestone as a note; here that specific note isn’t listed, but it smells just like streets on a rainy day.

Men’s fragrance, very salty and MARINE is the keyword. It has a marine algae note that not everyone will like, and I understand why: it’s a challenge for the nose if you haven’t smelled it before. It’s linear and versatile. I don’t love the dry-down, but it doesn’t disgust me either; the settling is bearable and the performance is good. People compare it to Bvlgari Aqva, saying they share ‘a vibe’ or ‘a touch,’ but that’s where the comparison ends. They are VERY different. The quality of Oud Minerale is superior, more challenging due to the algae and very salty. Don’t buy it blindly; smell it first because it’s risky if you don’t know this type of perfume. I give it an 8.