Tom Ford introduces Ombré Leather Reserve: juniper, sandalwood and black leather

Tom Ford returns to Ombré Leather with Ombré Leather Reserve, a version that emphasizes juniper and woods while retaining the black leather accord. The new release belongs to the Signature collection and is inspired by the high desert of the American West. The change is visible even before opening it: the dark bottle now has a silver cap.

Reserve sits alongside Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum and Ombré Leather Parfum, two fragrances that share its name and leather accord. The difference the brand announces lies in the accompanying notes: conifers and sandalwood play a larger role in Reserve.

The juniper of the Chisos Mountains

Silver juniper is the main addition. Tom Ford says it captured the scent of silver juniper in the Chisos Mountains using headspace technology, under the name Silver Juniper ScentTrek. The description combines a fresh, aromatic facet with a woody, resinous nuance reminiscent of myrrh.

It is accompanied by cypress, black pepper and violet leaf absolute. The brand also highlights pinyon wood (Pinyon Wood), sandalwood and a white moss accord.

What changes compared with Ombré Leather

Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum combines its black leather accord with cardamom, sambac jasmine, patchouli, white moss and amber. The house itself defines it as a floral leather. Ombré Leather Parfum highlights violet leaf and cedar in another floral interpretation of leather.

Reserve is presented as a woody leather. Its central accord brings together cypriol, cistus and pine tar; sandalwood provides the soft counterpoint described by the brand. The difference, then, is not just one of intensity: the notes surrounding the leather also change.

The name Reserve does not, on its own, mean this is simply a stronger version of the original. The brand describes two different settings for the leather accord: jasmine in the eau de parfum and juniper with woods in this edition. How that contrast develops on skin remains to be tested.

Bottle and sizes

The design retains the silhouette of Ombré Leather, with a dark body and a textured black label. The metal cap and silver lettering set Reserve apart from the other versions.

The range includes sizes of 10, 50 and 100 ml. In the United States, the Tom Ford website shows 50 ml for $205; the 100 ml bottle was listed as out of stock at the time of writing.