Agar

I love TF Oud Wood. I was excited to blind buy this and try it out. My thinking was “if this falls in the ballpark”, I would be happy for the price. The first couple of hours, this is not even 50% TF Oud Wood. It goes on a bit harsh (peppery). Personally, I think there is another note (pepper) not listed (pepper is a note in TF). TF Oud Wood goes on smooth and masterfully blended right away. TF Oud Wood is bliss from start to finish. Agar goes on a bit strong...I’m not able to figure out what’s going on. It not bad, but it’s definetly different. Although Agar is not the same and a bit strong, I do not dislike it. It might be unfair when comparing it side-by-side to my TF, smelling off of my hand...but it is trying to clone it. After two hours or so, Agar does begin to come into its own and does get much closer to TF Oud Wood. It continues to dry down and come pretty close to TF. I would say it gets to 80/85 TF. Not bad IMHO for the price. Here’s the really good news for Agar. The longevity is better than TF. At some point, I do not pick up TF while I do still smell Agar. Another positive (depends on how you look at it), TF goes on unbelievably great from start to finish...but for me it’s linear. I don’t mind that because it is a masterpiece. Agar, does change from the opening to the dry down...possibly making it more interesting. I just need to figure out the opening so it doesn’t drive me crazy each time I apply it. Final assessment - is it worth the purchase? For me, no doubt! It comes close enough to TF that I would easily pay the money again and again. Once I figure out the opening, I will probably enjoy it that much more. UPDATE (two months later) - moved “like” to “love”. I’m assuming maceration has taken place. The harsh opening is no longer there. This opens much smoother similar to TF’s Oud Wood. This is now 85/90% TFOW from start to finish. Kind of crazy that some of AFs fragrances need to sit for awhile.

I've decided AF will be supplying any future needs I have for fragrance (unless someone can recommend another "house"). I appreciate their energy as a business, their artistry and the fact that I can get any or all they offer in a "sample pack". Thereby I can "freshen" my home, car, clothing or body with the "highest quality" (designer) fragrances without being enslaved to expensive, full bottles of fragrance.( that I might grow out of or tired of or not in the "mood" for.) So my "system" for rating is based upon a) am I "taken" by the fragrance, b) endurance c) projection in that order , 0 to 10 (as I compare them to other AF fragrance I have........around 30, from "sample packs".) This fragrance a) 9, b) 7 c) 6 (b, endurance..some AF offerings I can still detect the next day, one I could still detect after showering...that's a 10. Projection is can I smell it in the next room if I sprayed it in the bathroom and walked away, that's a 10.)

My wife got a sample of TF Oud Wood from Sephora years ago and gave it me. Oud Wood is what started me down this addicting path of fragrances. It was hands down the most amazing scent ive ever smelled (at that time). Although the scent was godly the longevity was abysmal. I could not bring myself to fork out the $$$$ for that kind of performance. I heard good things about Agar from Alexandria so I ordered a sample. After sampling I ordered a full bottle. Its pretty spot on in terms of scent but the longevity is what sold me on it. Although I think Agar is more "wet" compared to Oud Woods dryness. All in all I think its a great clone and rebuy worthy. I think Agar will fair better in fall/winter but to me its a 4 season fragrance and possibly signature classification.

I love this fragrance so much. As for similarity to the original Oud Wood, I think it's pretty close, but this has something of it's own going on. Just a little sweeter, a bit less spicy, and brighter. There is almost a kind of fizziness to this on my nose, I love it. I wear it almost daily, even if I'm just at home. I spray a pillow with it. I want to be surrounded by this beautiful fragrance all the time. I want it in candles, incense, shampoo, everything. If I had to pick a negative on this, it would be on the longevity, but, the original doesn't last that long either. If you love Oud Wood but can't stomach the price, this is a pretty good choice. As far as dupes go, this is on the higher end on the price range, but is still much less expensive than the original.

This smelled very synthetic and sharp when I first received the bottle but after a month it smells clean and smooth and extremely close to Oud Wood. Is it exact? No, Oud Wood smells a little deeper and richer. Is Agar a beast? No, it really never projects that strongly and it more or less is gone after 6 hours. However, Oud Wood has about the same performance and is priced like 5 times higher than this Alexandria inspiration. if you are smelling up close, side by side, Oud Wood is better but in the air they are virtually identical. I don't know why anybody would pay those ridiculous Tom Ford prices.