Italian Cypress

Woody and aromatic. The epitome of Italian class. The overlooked prodigy in the Private Blends line by Tom Ford, this chypre is a living relic of what the seventies was (from what I’ve been told). Italian Cypress has a soft yet powerful aura to it that makes it instantaneously appropriate for formal occasions. It’s also very retro, as Italian Cypress is very different to many other fragrances I own and on the market today; I dare say it is green, but that evokes a sort of ‘clean’ freshness that isn’t really what I’m looking for. It wraps itself in robust citruses, herbs and spices and eventually reveals the heart of Italian wood. It’s somewhat a ‘slow-burn’ or a gradual release fragrance that changes – but changes very little and very slowly. I think the ingredients in this blend is elaborate but homogenise together nicely to present fewer things than what you’d expect. Italian cypress delivers an air of Italian coolness; and in contrast to say, a French cool or mild quasi-pompousness, we have the deadly, but very minimal gentlemanly Italian style. A man who is rooted in tradition; with a barbershop haircut slicked with brylcreem. The silent, but present type with a demeanour so assertive no words are needed, but perhaps just a deadly glare from across the room (sipping negronis of course). The heart of the fragrance, cypress and woods; sways away from the coniferous archetype. It isn’t dry, piney or bitter in the long run, but very smooth indeed, as the dark woods create a hearty and mellow edge in contrast to the tantalising top notes. Italian Cypress opens with the coniferous archetype however and this only lasts for a moment or so. It’s a blast of everything to come that is invariably discordant and a little contentious, with a bit of savoury basil at the top, spicy clove in the mix, woods asserting themselves and happy-go-lucky spearmint sending a shock-bang reawakening to the senses. The robust Italian bergamot works beautifully with the lively pepperiness of fresh green basil with its mildly anise-esque scent profile, of course this is propped up even more with refreshing and exotic spearmint. The most impressive part of the opening is the herbaceous note of basil that (whilst it is a little discorded) shifts from the soapy scent of an Italian barbershop, tickled with the dry arrangement coniferous woods. Very green; in an Italian way. The clove then asserts its presence but never discriminates. It’s incredibly warming and shifts away from the Italian side of things. The clove gives the fragrance a gourmand light cinnamon vibe, with the natural intoxicating sweetness of clove aromatically shining. It wraps itself in the heart of woods and resins around a beautiful cypress body. Just on that note, this fragrance also has a cinnamon doughnut vibe (don’t laugh) – warm, fresh, sweet (not sickly!) and flavoured with piquant spice. Concurrently, the barbershop sense I receive, in which I envisage hot towel shaves with straight razors and ‘ol fashioned scented pomade reminds me of Old Spice Cologne. Nutmeg, cinnamon and clove, or collectively warm spice notes. Old school never smelt so good. If you don’t like to be the centre of attention, but of course want to smell undeniably good, groomed, clean...etc Italian Cypress is the way to go. Graceful and humble. This certainly isn’t lax either, don’t look like a slob wearing this. A welcome retro coolness; people always say it was better back then, if 1970’s Italy smelt like this I’ll be aghast that I missed my chance to experience this. Nasally pleasing (basil is contender for my favourite note, lavender being my favourite); I am very impressed with this one. Totally underrated. Classssssssssy. 5/5

I feel like this was Tom Ford's homage to the classic, vintage masterpiece Halston Z-14. Knowing his love for that time period, and all things classic...I feel this was his way of bringing back the masterpiece lost through the sands of time and reformulation. And he did a beautiful job. I love this scent. Classy, masculine, powerful, and sexy. It has been discontinued. So expect the prices to continue to skyrocket. With that being said...the most recent iteration of Halston Z-14 is a pale shadow of its original 1970's glory. But it's a crude approximation, and still smells good. It gives a glimpse of what the forgotten gem once was. If you never smelled the original, most likely with nothing to compare it to but TF IC, you'll immediately catch the similarities. IC is just more natural and blended in a far superior way, but at a very heavy price tag. IC is a near perfect re-creation of the original Z-14. The new reformulation of Z-14 while staggering under the weight of reformulation and budget level ingredients still does a nice job of capturing the essence of TF IC/original. Think of the new Halston Z-14 as a "LOW RES PROXY" version of this fragrance. The "image resolution" breaks down, and is crude side by side. But if you can't get TF IC, the latest Halston Z-14 will give you a proxy level (yet still incredibly enjoyable and pleasant) fragrance experience at literally 1/20th or 1/30th the price tag. Don't believe all the hate, now that this classic is discontinued, and of course the original formulation of Z-14 no longer exists except with collectors, get a new bottle of Halston Z-14 and you have the closest thing still on the market to this gem...at a steal of a price. Sidenote: I found with the reformulation of Z-14, skin chemistry is key. It smells amazing on me in the fall/winter and I get loads of compliments...But I have smelled it on others...and it didn't work for them. Again the quality of ingredients makes the new version fickle to skin types. But if your one of the fortunate few that it works for, consider yourself blessed. As for Tom Ford Italian Cypress: 10/10 The original Halston Z-14: 10/10 (which this fragrance is a re-creation of to my nose) The latest Halston Z-14: 8/10 this is factoring in the price which is dirt cheap, and uniqueness which no other scent in the current market even remotely resembles.

Update: I just ordered a bottle at a good price before the prices begin to skyrocket upward. I think this is truly niche of the private blends, and why it's not so popular and discontinued. Few, as myself, Colin Mailard, may say this is the best of the Private Blend line, it's not as "parfumy", and luxurious, worldly as the others perhaps. But we few who love it, for it's beutifull, natural cypress scent. I look for great woodies, and cypress is perhaps my favorite, nothing comes close to Italian Cypress. Creed Boise Portugal is the best sandalwood, IC is the best cypress, natural and realistic. This is one of the most complex fragrances of the private blends. It really does evolve. As I'm sitting here this evening in amazement of the most breathtaking aromatic scents are just unfolding one after another. In the opening you have the Cypress dominating, but it's the best and most natural Cypress note I have ever experienced, miles ahead of "Wonderwood", Rush" or "Encre Noir". It really transports you to a Cypress forest. OK, what next ? The Cypress settles and what unfolds are some of the most beutifull, natural woody notes and accords. The Cypress seemlessly blending with the citruses giving a beutifull aromatic freshness. I get the best cedar note along with a bright crisp, chilly birch, all as fresh as can be, as if the trees where freshly cut and you sqeezed the moist pulp in your hand. OK, now I will go off the deep end and talk about notes not listed. They are indistinct nuances, slight tobaco note, a smokiness, carnation, and a hint of moss. And some beutifull fruity tone of maybe one of the woods or hidden spices. I allmost thought I could pick out gardinija, as it was in vintage Z-14, making a subtle accord with the woods. It's interesting how they made such a rich complex woody fragrance without much balsams at all... It is the most manly of the Private Blends, but in the drydown, some of the beutifull nuances you get, almost floral, have a beutifull delicacy a woman could love. My other two Private Blends I have, Oud Wood and Amber Absolute are allso wonderfull, Oud Wood being more luxurious and unisex, but more linier than Italian Cypress, Amber Absolute is fairly simple, but a beutifull dark rich smoky Amber that can stand alone as a solo - Amber presentation. Rating: 9.5/10

I bought this fragrance to be my primary work scent. Be advised that it does smell very “similar” to Polo Green in that it is a woodsy scent but it is light years ahead of it in complexity. It is does not have an artificial smell and the Cypress is true to reality. I don’t get the pine-sol smell other people mentioned but this is a very “woody” (green like in a forest green) fragrance. It is a truly masculine scent (Outdoors guy think Elk Hunter) in my opinion and is worth every penny. That being said I just bought two 250 ML decanters last week one from Neiman Marcus and one from Nordstrom. Both sales associates said it was going to be discontinued which is what spurred the purchase. I called TOM FORD in Vegas and they stated that indeed there were plans to discontinue it but at the last minute those plans were scrapped. My suspicion is that it was due to the Oak moss limitations in the EU but in either case it will be in full production for some time to come. As of today there are 10 250 ml Decanters available through TOM FORD directly and several 50ml bottles as well. 11/25/15 1/4/16 Update I just received a phone call from Neiman Marcus and they are saying that it is on the chopping block. If you like it I would stock up something strange is going on with this one! 2/2/16 Update#2, I found and purchased a vintage Cosmair bottle of Polo green to compare. Other than them both being green scents that's the only comparison. IC is light years better and doesn't have that disgusting medicinal smell to it. Polo green is so strong it's nauseating and gave me a serious headache. IC no problems at all and no headaches from the scent. I will keep the polo green for nostalgic purposes but was extremely disappointed and will most likely never open it again.

Made back in the day with an inneundo-free name! (Maybe that's why they discontinued it? Many's the time Tom laid awake at night, cursing himself for not naming it 'Needle Prick' or 'Big Green Erection'.) Anyway, it's a dark green woody scent to be sure, but it's so natural-smelling it's almost life-afirming - you could actually be in a forest! It's structure is a modified fougère (containing everything except lavender) and it's a near photorealistic portrait of a tree instead of the traditional fern. As such it's much more autumnal. Calm and collected, rugged, even cosy - possibly romantic. And like many fougères it could go business or casual. Cypress is the main event (unsurprisingly?) and the other notes just serve to highlight its different facets. (It's not a fragrance of contrasting notes but so what?) The opening lemon highlights the freshly-cut cypress needles and sap, making it more of a bright green, slightly sweet fougère (actually in the vein of Houbigant's legendary Fougère Royale). Then the mint and basil highlight the darker, more leafy and herbaceous aspects. The patchouli brings out the earthy forest floor, whilst the incense the burnt wood. This all makes it significantly more autumnal than the spring-like Fougère Royale. Eventually it dries down into a comforting, pale grey-green soapy fougère which is still lovely. There's even a little sweetness throughout from something, which I'm guessing might be coumarin given the fougère smell. Gorgeous. Ridiculous why they discontinued it.

What a great fragrance. I will take everyone's word about the Halston Z14 comparisons. I had Z14 a long while ago but going off memory now. Tf pricy stuff but you cannot doubt the quality of Italian Cypress. The sample I tried was an excellent resume for the job. Italian Cypress will get you noticed , right out of the gate. to me it screams masculinity.. not to be sexist but that is the association I make with this. I got some very nice compliments the first time I sampled it.. it seemed to last a good while on me..kudos on that to Tom Ford. I wonder what this would smell like on a lady..? This is that fragrance that makes me feel rugged and handsome. not a bad combination to have on your bod. Italian Cypress is a powerhouse of a fragrance so act accordingly when you chose to wear it. Now if they will work on the price.. lots of nickles and dimes,that is what I would have to do .. bust open that piggy bank. All I can say if the Z14 of today smells similar..? but knowing my luck it no longer does, but you can bet I am going to find out. Cypress does make me want to own it. This will be on my want list. I wish it was not so expensive though..yikes.. this is killing my wallet. Personally I find Italian Cypress much more appealing than Tuscan Leather and Tobacco V. Scent preferences are so subjective, I do believe this will garner more attention as time goes on..Worth checking out. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

With the discontinuation of Italian Cypress Ford’s PB continues without a chypre. The other two, the abstract leathery Japon Noir and the ... “whatever” Moss Breches have been long lost. Italian Cypress is an aromatic chypre that carries the classic structure (bergamot-sweet labdanum-oakmoss) paired with a forest floor vibe mainly due to a green cypress note. The top and heart are infused for most of the part by a crisp green accord deriving from a mint/basil-sweet mandarin combo that feels very vibrant and pairs nicely with the galbanum blast on top (a highly favorable resin for me that is rarely used anymore) and some carnation in the middle accentuating the spicy-anisic element of the greens. The smoky cypress note is as much pronounced as the moss so the coniferous vibe is well balanced by the humid earthy aspects of the base with a slight animal touch. Italian Cypress smells great but it is not the most innovative fragrance and if you like chypres probably you can find better ones. However, the whole concept is certainly more modern and more presentable and carries the main trait of Ford’s “quiet club” (Grey Vetiver, Oud Wood). This is a short of humble beauty, an elegant, soft-spoken masculinity that doesn’t cry desperately for attention. My favorite PB.

TF Italian Cypress is what I call a real bad ass juice. This is a real aromatic chypre, with a very green/woodsy base. Even thou it's not listed, I almost get a vib of leather which must be coming from aged woodsy note. There's only four notes but there's a lot more happening give me a strong cypres/green earthy vib. I find it best during the fall/winter months especially when it works against the warmth of your body making your partner's knees buckle. The only fragrance which I definitely find close to IC is Vendetta Uomo by Valentino which has that leathery vib as well. Longevity and Silage is very high lasting well past 8hrs sprayed it 2x. Finally, When I smell this juice, it's a throw back aroma from the 70's into mid 80's. I think of a really feral man who's very mucho. This fragrance is a dark mysterious and wild juice. Out of TF fragrance, Tuscany leather and Italian Cypress is what I consider the best. I don't enjoy wimpy fragrance...this is a BEASTLY FRAGRANCE. 10/10.... Italian Cypress the Godfather of TF fragrance. One last note....if you really enjoy this fragrance don't wait...it's been discontinued and soon it will be hard to get. Attention Tom Ford....if this ever makes a come back please keep it authentic and don't cheapen it.

This is another great example of a Tom Ford Private Blend that works mainly for cold weather, is outstanding in terms of projection and longevity, and, like Tuscan Leather, is a great interpretation of the main note aspect (in this case, cypress). The cypress and woody aspects dominate the fragrance, with spicy aspects (i.e. clove, and some have said cinnamon) and some citrus standing in the background while the cypress holds serve. Lupe online wisely advises that this is not a compliment-gatherer but nonetheless a power scent, and I agree. It is sophisticated, and a friend of work and formal occasions, but it is not seductive in the manner of Noir de Noir. Rather, Italian Cypress is a very classy but more serious, and evocative of an earlier time, with natural-smelling ingredients. It's also somewhat unisex, as many TF Private Blends are, but I'd certainly argue that this leans somewhat to the masculine side, as I believe most woods-intensive fragrances do. This may have just become one of the next on my list, but I would at least encourage men to try this out, as I've already heard a few times and can corroborate that this is a seriously underrated and under-discussed fragrance. 9 out of 10

I love this juice. It does smell very much like Z-14. The difference is in the quality, whether or not that warrants the price.... I bought 4.2oz of Z-14 for $10 and 1.7oz of IC for much more. For me it was worth it. On my skin IC had better longevity and less (but a more appropriate) projection. It opens with a blast of green cypress. Not long after that it turns into a smokey, woody, clean but earthy fragrance. There is something that hints at citrus but never really is and at the same time something that hints at sweet but also never really is. It remains dry, green, woody, and earthy all while being fairly dense--kind of rich and full but not heavy. Obviously a nod to Z-14 and hairy chests of the 70's. It is more modern and more refined but still lets you know there's a hairy chest under the fitted shirt. I think it's great for work but I also recently tested it on a vacation in the Caribbean. It was beautiful on stormy 77 degree nights. I say BUY Z-14 and get a tester of IC. Neither will disappoint and you may choose to splurge.

Italian Cypress is another classic robust fragrance that reminds me of the 80s. It's a shame that this was discontinued. I wish they would bring it back as it smelt when it was launched and not trying to modernize it. When I spray this spicy chypre, I love the green Cypress and the woodsy base together, it gives a manly rugged appeal. I think of someone whose been harvesting Cypress tress and has that aroma all over them. There's a hint of smokey vib to this juice. Basil helps to balance the sharp green notes..giving it a warmth also a herbal base. Longevity and Sillage is amazing..well past 6+ hours. You're able to smell this juice past further than arms length. I hope that this juice makes a comeback as it was when it was launched. I love this juice, I have 100ml bottle and several 15ml bottles stashed away. I treat it like gold...perfect during the fall-winter months. It's a very expensive aroma even tux occasions. 9.5/10 @TomSword, I agree with your comments about the cologne that God wears. 100% yes

Italian Cypress enters with zesty citrus and fresh green notes, soon after subtle minty/menthol notes join the fray. As the heart phase takes hold the cypress note opens out and present its Mediterranean green and warming embrace, with green resinous notes appearing that add warm and depth, this is the masterpiece stroke that sets this fragrance apart. In my mind I am walking up a path in Tuscany with the late afternoon sun wafting beautiful green and resinous aromas from the tall cypress trees bordering the path, I feel free and confident in me and my surroundings... Wear anytime during the year, however it really comes to life in heat, a warm breeze in a sunny climate seems to awake and lift the cypress and resinous notes, wafting in waves of gorgeous scent clouds. Silage is moderate with a well defined scent cloud enveloping the wearer, however warm air lifts and wafts the scent further. Longevity is very good, and the skin scent persistent. A subtle, classy, high quality fragrance... Great stuff.

This is one of the best in Tom Ford's Private Collection IMO. It's dark, dark, dark, with a prominent cypress note along with tons of resins and cedar and just a hint of citrus. To me, it's not sweet at all; it's dry, herbal, almost acrid but in the most beautiful way. I don't know if it's the fact that I wore it in a funeral yesterday, but it does smell kind of formal to me and perfectly attuned to that haunting sadness. I also find it more masculine than unisex, but still, it's not something that a confident woman cannot wear. A great scent to be worn during the mediterranean summer, with good -though not as good as the ouds in the collection- lasting power. Still, I'm not ready to buy a FB of this. I'll probably start with a decant and see how that goes. Update: Tried it again in the winter and the effect is the same; I might even say I like it even more. I'm tempted to go for the FB but my reduced wage is preventing me. Stiil a decant is absolutely necessary for my peace of mind:)

Undoubtedly it's quite similar to the pine needle oil bomb Ralph Lauren's Polo (1978), but IC is not that intrusive and it's more refined with photorealistic ingredients. Not surprisingly the same perfumer stands behind the two fragrances. A trained nose easly can pick out most notes like cypress, mint and basil. This is green, fougére fragrance for sure and no one can persuade me of the other way around even without having one or two main accords to make it completely as such one. Imo this scent joins the very masculine fellowship of Beau de jour, Fougére D'argent, Zino Davidoff, Paco Rabanne pour homme(1973) and more as the greener brother😊. Italian cypress is long -lasting with persistent scent bubble that shapes up shortly after the initial spray and sillage. A classical masculine and well-crafted perfume that deserves attention. Despite it's been discontinued, still can be found re- released in certain Tom Ford boutiques on inflated prices.

The younger brother of the venerable Polo by Ralph Lauren. That one was a green/ fresh/ piney/ collegiate all-American preppy. This new Tom Ford was raised in the Continent in the manner of Roman "la dolce vita." Suave, urbane, and endowed with a considerable dose of "sprezzatura" as only the Italians have. They are kin, but not alike. A perfectly balanced and invigorating mix of citrus and basil opens this wonderful juice, then quickly segues into the dominant green and refreshing cypress note that lingers all the way to the end. Mint colors the pine a little, then the drydown becomes woody and a little powdery. This is a fresh/ cypress green/ aromatic and woody fragrance that smells wonderful! By far one of the better Tom Fords around. It's a shame it got discontinued. Scour the internet to get one, if you can. Tenacious and clingy. With moderate sillage. This is one beautiful Italian. Highly recommended!

The cypress tree is also a symbol of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, young girls, and the moon. Copy n paste from Wikipedia...I'm not that insightful... as you would know if you'd read my previous reviews. :) Wow...Wow...Wow!!! This juice is incredible, it genuinely transports you to another place. I get the feeling of being a lumberjack high up in a tree in a north American forest rather than maybe the leisurely stroll though a beautiful Italian garden bordered by pruned Cypress trees. I think the citrus and mint give it that airy fresh feeling of altitude which adds to the super woody and green, sappy notes which are obviously the heart of this fragrance. It's stunning! Just the right combination as it could easily have been linear or boring. Tom Ford's Private collection strikes again with another hit for me....arrrggghhh can't afford them all!!!

I find this fragrance to be fantastic like they took the smells of a Mediterranean garden and bottled it. It opens very green with lemon citrus like your smelling lemons from a lemon grove in Tuscany. This is closely followed by a stunning cypress note on a resinous woody backdrop. The woods feel a little smoky like smouldering woods that have been in the direct sunlight for to long. I love how this fragrance has a combination of fresh citrus with warm woods with a stunning cypress note. A amazing fragrance. I get about ten hours longevity but it does reign itself in after four/five hours in the projection and sillage department. But I can still pick up gentle wafts of the scent for most of the day. To sum up a very classy masculine fragrance that reminds you of a Mediterranean garden with cypress trees and lemon groves. A big thumbs up from me.

★★★★ This is a very well blended green spring scent for an outdoorsy man. It gives a nod to the vintage formula of Ralph Lauren Polo (green), therefore it is a 70s style fragrance. When sprayed on the skin, initially I get bitter coniferous notes, a serious and masculine beginning. In short time it starts turning into a spring time walk with the scent of pine needles in the air, surrounded by cypress trees and everlasting green. It's the epitome of green in the Private Collection. The heart of the fragrance is probably the one that resembles Polo the most, a creamy wood character that often gets slightly leathery . I would certainly pay for a vintage formula of Polo anytime, but not for this. It lasted 5 hours on my skin and is nowhere as rich as the Ralph Lauren creation was. It was a pleasant sniff test though.

Without looking at any reviews, I just thought to myself, hmm...a fresher, brighter, yet intense, Halston Z-14. I wouldn't say it's exactly the same and that by getting Italian Cypress, that would be a foolish move when you could have the same with Z-14, because you can't. Italian Cypress is referential to Z-14, but there's more going on here; better blending, more intricate composition. One could say if you loved Z-14, Italian Cypress would be the modern update; new and improved sillage, longevity, and more interesting dry-down. Instead of getting thinner and losing its citrus and leather accords toward the end, you get to enjoy it all the way through. I also get a hint of tobacco, which I don't get in Z-14, but that could just be the more dense wood making itself known.

I have this one sitting on my Bathroom counter and it smells beautiful. The mix of scents are really intriguing and it deserves its name perfectly. I like the Cedar note in this, but its the lemon and Resin that really pull me in, its a wonderful marriage of ingredients. All i can picture is laying in the hot italian sun and i've never been to italy but it sort of provides some sense of false but sincere nostalgia with its dry down where the scent becomes soft but still retains a woody smokiness that is wonderful. I think skin chemistry plays a huge role with Italian Cypress. I dont detect anything feminine or remotley masculine about this fragrance, its one of those scents that sit somewhere in the middle and thats something that can be easily appreciated about it.