Champaca Absolute

Wow, this is beautiful! Update: Summer is almost over now. I'm wearing Champaca, and noticing the sweet vanilla/ amber/ chesnuts in the dry-down. This is an Autumn/ Spring frag. I may now classify this as Floral/ Oriental. Easter day, and it was my first full wearing of Champaca. I am 4 hours in, so I was noticing the great dry-down. I'm getting less florals now, and the congac and the chestnuts are coming through, and it's a beautiful, rich accord in the dry-down. The Champaca is still there. This has the best longevity. This is transportive. I can close my eyes, and it transports me to a beautiful countryside on a breezy Spring day. There is a touch of fruitiness to it, unlisted, like a ripe pear. It must be a facet of the floral Champaca perhaps. The congac is not too boozy, it's just a nice nuance, hardly noticable. I'm really happy I discovered this by accident, when lucky Scent threw in a free sample. I think this will be my #1 frag for Spring. The Marron glace is candied chestnuts, so there's a great sweet nutty tone, with a touch of vanilla. It also has a nice touch of bergamot for freshness. The fruitiness may be coming from the champaca itself, and the plum wine, and congac. It's a soft fruity tone, something like pear and ripe bananas. Plume wine is a listed note from other sources. I've been looking for a floral dominant fragrance for the past few years, that I could feel totally comfortable wearing, was not easy. This is my #1 floral fragrance. I'm sure many woman will enjoy this as well :) I think one aspect of the masterfull blending, of these lush, tropical flowers, are that they are composed in a gender neutral way, for me. OK, I understand the ladies feeling this is feminine. It's soft and floral, but it's not so girly as many so called unisex florals are. This floral is complex, without feeling busy. A masterfull work of perfumery here. The clean dewy orchid, balances the heady Champaca. The violet gives it a watery feel. Then they add a bit of a shrub wild flower, maybe grounding the florals to an earthy plane. Champaca smells similar to ylang-ylang flower, which I don't care for usually. Champaca is a variety of magnolia. I like the dewy, fruity interpretation of it here. The plum wine and congac, marron glace, and some slight woody touches; all add their subtle embellishments, to the perfumers interpretation of the Champaca heart. The Champaca is a soft floral, tea-like, yet somewhat lush and tropical. It is great for Spring. I will enjoy it when the weather breaks warmer. PS: Loving it now in early Fall. Now December, rich and sweet for Winter. Rating: 10/10 God bless. John 3:16

Champaca Absolute is ABSOLUTELY sexy, sultry, juicy, nectarous liquid gold! Swoon-worthy. The champaca flower here in Champaca Absolute is essentially a sweet, nectarous yellow/white floral of tropical origin. Imagine frangipani, ylang ylang, and jasmine. Combined with cognac and marron glace, comes a syrupy and saucy dimension that adds both to sweetness and depth. Complete with a smooth, sensual dirty/clean musk; both airy, light, and summery, Champaca Absolute gradually reveals itself something dirty and forbidden. There’s just something magic about this scent. The sweetness is blended so well with the florals and musk in a refined Tom Ford fashion, that really lends itself an enticing experience! Yesterday I received the best compliment in history of ever wearing fragrances! My friend said, “You smell like Turkish Delight!” To me, that’s the best thing you can ever tell me! I mean, who wouldn’t want to be walking around dripping and oozing delicious, sticky, Turkish Delight??! Guess what I was wearing? You guessed right -> Champaca Absolute! (Who knew??) For me, Champaca Absolute was a love-at-first-smell kind of perfume. It didn’t struck me as spectacular at the Tom Ford counter, as there was too much sensory overload in-store. But I knew it stood a chance and I bought a 10ml decant. Beautiful, and I wore it during daily life, and I was sold! Literally! Now I have invested in a larger bottle, and I look forward to whatever adventures Champaca Absolute will bring. It’s a firm favourite that could easily rise to a special sort of signature ;)

I’ve written and rewritten the first line of this review repeatedly, but it’s all too difficult to review something one adores as much as I do Champaca Absolute. Simply put, on my skin, this fragrance is absolutely magical. I originally purchased a 5ml decant of CA because I know my boyfriend loves real champaca flowers-- which grow natively all over his home country of Vietnam. Upon testing, it doesn’t smell exactly like the flower, of course, but something about this fragrance is so incredibly well rounded... it has depth (I get mostly Champaca, Cognac, Jasmine, and Vanilla, on me-- a dazzling blend) while still feeling quite ‘tied together’ into one united and overwhelmingly pleasant aroma-- a yellow floral that is neither overly powdery nor indolic... simply perfect, for me. Sure enough, as my usually nose-blind man came closer to me later, he remarked, “You smell amazing!” Though I most oft lean toward perfumes that are quiet and linger close to the skin, CA’s extremely impressive longevity and projection mean I usually only need 1-2 sprays for the day, which makes the hefty price slightly more realistic for me. Hoping to pursue a full bottle for Christmas!! I can definitely see why other reviewers call this a wedding fragance. I was expecting CA to make me feel more on the sexy side, as products marketed 'unisex' usually do, but instead I felt utterly beautiful. Not too feminine, either, but it gives me a kind of confidence that only the most special of fragrances impart upon me. Aroma: 10/10 Longevity: 10/10 Sillage: 10/10

One of the unsung heros of the Tom Ford Private Blend line! For me, this is head-to-head with Luxe Champaca by Comme des Garçons in terms of quality and originality. The primary difference is in temperature and sweetness: Champaca Absolute is situated squarely in gourmand territory, while Luxe Champaca is more floral, with a bitter edge thanks to the angelica note. Another would not be redundant if you already owned one of them. CA is smooth, sweet (but far from cloying or sugary!), and rich. It's already a rather narcotic flower, so it pairs very well with the boozy cognac and candied chestnut notes, which are actually more immediately discernable to me. There's a fair bit of vanilla and sandalwood, too. The champaca flower itself is highlighted thanks the inclusion of a few other floral/herbal harmonies: orchid-violet, jasmine-greenweed. These restore a green quality that isn't quite fresh, but noticeably botanical. I don't get much development, besides the disappearance of the aforementioned floral notes after a couple of hours. But the nutty-boozy-vanilla-amber cradles you gently in a liqueur-induced bliss for a few more hours thereafter. CA is a delight day or night, and holds no allegiances to gender or age. Fairly classy, and beware donning it in very warm weather—it could become a bit stifling!

Guys: Imagine receiving an invitation to a party from a woman that you're dating. You arrive and discover that this is her best friend's birthday party. Your date is only one of maybe 6-10 women there. The rest are guys and the crowd is pre-dominantly gay. You can interact with anyone in this party and probably enjoy yourself with little-to-no reservations. You make connections. You meet your new tailor. You trade notes on grooming tips and talk about football. Your date will be amazed at how comfortable you are in your own skin. If this sounds like you, then you can (and should) wear Champaca Absolute with no problems. I find Champaca Absolute to be feminine AND masculine. It's perfectly unisex. The cognac remains present throughout the drydown, making this a sexual skin scent. This is Bond No.9's Westside - only more refined. The sillage is moderate, yet intoxicating. This definitely belongs on skin. If only sprayed upon fabric, the individual is cheating him-/herself. For me, the longevity is outstanding. I can still detect it after 8 hours and a shower. This is one of those compositions that a couple could/should share. It's quite the sexual skin scent. 9/10, if your'e comfortable with your sexuality.

There is no way for me to accurately describe the way this perfume smells, but it is absolutely beautiful. The initial spray is bright and bubbly like champagne. There *is* a cognac note in this fragrance, which the scent profile describes as "reminiscent of aged grapes and oak barrels", and BAM - spot on. Though this is classified as a yellow floral, it's syrupy, cheerful, uplifting, sweet and refreshing. The notes listed are all present, but they are so well-blended that they are almost impossible to pick out, though you can feel where they are. I don't get the 'powdery' accord at all, which is a relief - some powdery fragrances get very cloudy and dusty on my skin, and this fragrance is crystal clear. There is a slight hint of a fruity undertone somewhere in this from the sweetness, and also something that reminds me of a classic clean bubble-bath scent. One of the few Tom Ford fragrances I've come across that I'd classify as slightly more "feminine" though, of course, a man could still pull it off- very comforting, peaceful, blissful and ridiculously addicting. I haven't found a perfume I've loved so much (immediately) in a long time!! Definitely a must-try.

Champaca is one of those distinct flowers that is absolutely narcotic. I grew up in the Philippines and Champaca is one of those flowers that is warm, boozy, sweet and green at the same time and Champaca absolute I think is the best interpretation of this exotic flower. CA opens with a solid cognac but if you grew up from tropical Philippines it is very much smells like deep rum. The cognac/rum is prominent for the first hour but the Champaca waits to take main stage. After an hour the narcotic flower presents herself. Evocatively distinct. The sweetness of the champaca is ever so slightly balanced with the green bitter edge of jasmine, the violet and orchid gives the powder effect. Two sprays and this phase of the fragrance lasts on my skin for 6 hours. Absolutely DIVINE! When I wear this fragrance I am transported back to warm lazy summer nights in the tropics. Champaca flowers for me smells like a tropical beauty and so is Champaca Absolute. This for me is the best of the Tom Ford fragrance collection.

This fragrance is one of a kind. It's like they took a classical flower fragrance and added a modern twist to it. It's radiant, rich and wrapping. The champaca note is amazing. It's smells sunny and very creamy. The violet note is a delight, it's sweet, fresh and powdery. Jasmine is a little left behind wich is a good thing. Orchid here reminds me of Classique but in a less synthetic way but i'm not fond of orchid actually. The amber is strong but i can't find any sandalwood. The marron glace note is to die for and even if marron glace doesn't smells very much in real life (it tastes wonderful by the way), it's like they reproduced the taste of marron glace in the fragrance, very funny experience. It adds a final sweetness that makes you wanting more. It lasts for hours and the drydown is very typical of Tom ford's fragrances. Bittersweet and dirty. Anyway due to the boozy/flowers/sugar mix, you have to avoid the sickness with this one. One spray is enough. And with such a prize, you want to keep it long!

I purchased this fragrance twice. The first time convinced that it would become my signature fragrance before loosing it in a piece of luggage I left in a taxi during my first trip to Paris. With my sights still set on making Champaca Absolute my signature fragrance, I happened on Frederic Malle's ultra feminine Portrait of a Lady before repurchasing it and eventually decided, despite my original obsession that it was too masculine for my taste and gave the second bottle to my husband who adores it. While I occasionally, steal a spritz or two...this is definitely not for me with my taste leaning more towards "obviously feminine...definitely made for girls" fragrances. However, whenever I smell it it still inspires visions of being wrapped in the strong embrace of a wealthy, salt-n-pepper, well-travelled, good-looking man, who's favorite past-time is exploring the world's finest cognacs, cigars, and exotic foods. Ugggghhhh!!!! This is such a sexy fragrance but just not feminine enough for me.:-(

Most of the time TF fragrances don’t last on me, but this one is like gorilla glue it STICKS! For the price it is so worth it if you like florals. On me the florals come out all thoroughout this fragrance. They never disappear, so the mid notes are super strong on me. Can this be unisex yes, it’s more feminine leaning in the winter but in the spring and summer I can see this on anyone! I do not get wood as many have mentioned below, I will say I have the older version of this. As for longevity, it’s excellent and I know most TF fragrance disappear on me, but this stay around forever. Sillage is there and strong, people will notice you in fact a women in the post office asked me what I was wearing. I of course happily told her. I always am upfront when I can help someone in the fragrance world, I don’t gatekeep at all! I would say this is a 10/10 if you want a floral,almost tropical because of the Champaca. A wearable TF with excellent lasting power and excellent performance!

Champaca Absolute is like an exotic garden of flowers at night. In your hand you have a glass of good cognac. You step outside into the darkness and smell the powerful jasmine, fragrant champaca, the beautiful and majestic orchid, the dark violet. At night you can smell them so much better when your senses are not distracted by noises and you can concentrate on the plants that surround you. This fragrance is like a symphony of those flowers... It is wonderful, rich and soft, velvety and full. I would say there is some rose in it, but it is not listed I used to have a jasmine bush in my garden and the scent at night was so much fuller- with every breath you took, you could inhale this wonderful scent. And Champaca Absolute makes me remember those nights I spent on the porch of the summerhouse... As Champaca Absolute dries down, you get some dry woods sweetened by vanilla undertones, with the flower accords still lingering in the air. It is hard to get enough of it.

What an incredible bright and exotic bouquet. 🖤 Strong Notes: Champaca, Tokay Secondary Notes: Orchid, Jasmine, Amber, Sandalwood Discreet Notes: Greenweed, Violet, Vanilla Nonexistent Notes: Chestnut, Bergamot That's the perfume of The Jungle Book, Javanese princesses or other sacred deities of Indomalayan botany. Bali, Jakarta, Jaïpur... it's a fantastic olfactory journey. How sad to learn of the end of its distribution. Unfortunately, I haven't often come across such creations in my life. It is above all a woody magnolia-iris combo. Displaying various colors and undertones, resembling those of Ylang. Thousands of flowers and hypersensual Sandalwood. The Cognac gives it an alcoholic fermentation, amber and floral liquor. On the other hand, I don't detect Chestnut, but what is similar to Copaiba (Copahu). After an hour it vaguely reminds me of "Ubar" by Amouage. Spicy, floral, narcotic, intoxicating... it's spectacular. 🖤 10/10 🖤 BRING BACK THIS MASTERPIECE

I am confused. Overall, it is very nice perfume. My general feeling is very positive, I like it, it's rich, creamy, flowery, but there's also a pinch of something dirty, woody plus burnt sugar, like "grown up" sweet. And I like all of that. And, apparently, I like yellow florals. Projection is perfect. But I have some problems with it as well. It reminds me of something (or someone?) and I cannot remember what it is, but I think I don't like it. Plus, it has a few notes and phases that are really common in niche white/yellow florals and even though I love them, I am kinda fed up with them, because they're nothing special anymore, everything smells the same with a few changes. However, I think this one is something special. Maybe not because of the notes, but there is something in Chamapcas behaviour that I love. It is strong, but gentle, it has something so rich and alive you cannot forget it. It has perfect relationship with my skin. For me, pure sunshine.

This is the day my dreams come true about finding a real sillage monster that I love I don't know how champaca and maron grac smell in reality,but I can smell a dominant floral note,which is familiar to my nose but I've never smelt it in a perfume,very natural,nostalgic and nice smelling,soaked in a nutty honey..there is no cognak to my nose I know this kind of explaining a scent is childish but this is the best way I can picture it It is warm,sweet and deliciously sexy,there is a hint of powderyness,also a hint of spices and to be honest I find champaca absolute,absolutely feminine..very differant from other perfumes I own and very strong Great longevity and enormous sillage I will wear it all around the year except summers(maybe not bad for summer nights) I think it's better for +35years old so not for my age but I like it and I wear whatever I like.this is a special fragrance and I'm going to use it in special events I will edit this after several uses

I cannot believe I almost gave this perfume away too soon. It was a blind buy for me, because in real life I love the cognac and marron glace aromas, and in my mind the combination of those two notes in a perfume sounded amazing. And they indeed are! Champaca Absolute is a warm, boozy, sweet oriental floral powerful perfume. Very sensual and feminine,not dainty or shy. It is a rich and syrupy concoction of champaca and 'carbohydrate rich' candied chestnuts flavored with brandy. Best suited for cold weather,this perfume is a true oriental floral that doesn's smell gourmand despite its few edible accords, it has an even animalistic or a tad 'skanky' element in the drydown.Chestnuts do have an earthy parameter, I'm wondering if this is where I get the animalic tones from. One of the difficult perfumes to describe, as it is so unique. I wouldn't recommend as a blind buy, since it is quite expensive anyway..

Im a guy that doesn't necessary care whether a fragrance is made for a man or a woman, I like what I like. And as for Champaca...I def like it. I get the hairspray opening some complain about, as it does start off with a sweet, almost chemically pungent aroma. I don't know what a Champaca flower smells like, but to me its super sweet-fruity, almost leaning toward ripe bananas. Take that sweet banana smell and give it a back bone of amber, sandalwood and cognac then top it off with some violet and thats what you have here, It's very different and there is something underneath it all that I can't describe and maybe thats a good thing. Throw a little mystery and confusion out there and let people come closer to try to figure it all out. Overall, it's sticky sweet/honey rich and that may make some love this, or make them run from it. I for one am intrigued by it. I like to wear it just to see what happens.

Champaca Absolute is one of my very favorites by Tom Ford. The florals are just heavenly. It does remind me of magnolia, but maybe even a tad sweeter and somehow darker. A candied chestnut base slowly begins to creep up, giving the perfume a depth and richness that most florals don't have these days. I'm so tired of the mainstream florals with citrus. In contrast Champaca Absolute is a velvety smooth floral; warm, nutty, and perfect for fall and winter. Think Organza, but the quality and beauty of Ford's creation is like Organza extrapolated to infinity. Champaca Absolute's development takes hours on my skin. It's about 3-4 hours when the turning point comes at which I think I smell more honey-drizzled chestnut than champaca. This perfume from start to finish is drop-dead-sexy. If the florals weren't beautiful enough, the drydown is spellbinding!

This is a LOOOVE for me. The note chart above, describes this fragrance perfectly, so I won't repeat the content, but I can tell you this: Champaca Absolute is versatile. It can transition from day to night and is great for all seasons. Terrific for a summer evening out, and terrific for autumn/winter days. Not at all loud due to it's moderate projection, but this fragrance has presence and excellent longevity: 8 hrs+. Champaca Absolute is opulent, dark and soft at the same time. Elegant, beautiful and confident. Completely signature worthy, if I could have a signature scent, but alas, so many perfumes... so little time. I must first cull my collection, but this beauty will certainly be mine! I suggest you read stephanieklein's description below, totally on point!

When I heard that Champaca Absolute is now being discontinued I felt sad because it is the only Tom Ford fragrance that represents me, my character and part of my story which is S.E. Asian (Filipino). Not a lot of fragrances hold a story, some are simply made for the sake of producing and selling something but this fragrance brings memories to me, of warm tropical nights surrounded by sounds of crickets and the distinct smell of champaca and jasmine. This is one fragrance that brings me back to my childhood and my home in the Philippines. My full bottle of Champaca Absolute is something that holds a lot of value to me. A scent that I think could never be replicated. A scent that will now be part of a memory when perfumes were made with artistry and love.

I broke this out on a chilly winters day and it takes me back to warmer and longer days, brighter sun and less clothing. This is beast mode and wearable in winter. Totally made me smile - sunshine in a bottle. Spraying this on is like stepping out your front door into a balmy sunny day with a warm breeze, bright blue skies and a blast of happily chattering bird song. Thick fleshy yellow florals - fruity but in a juicy mango/apricot way versus banana so the florals are dripping nectar and verdant greenery, dewy and cool, underpins these lush fruity florals. Feminine leaning to my nose, but the sweetness level makes it more wearable and timeless. Projects and performs strongly for more than 10 hours. Happy to hold this in my collection.