Reserve Collection: Velvet Gardenia

I had always been curious in trying this out. I finally got a bottle and have since bought 2 more since I’ll probably never be able to get this one again and especially not at the insane prices that I got them for. Never smelled the original, so I can’t comment on how the re-release compares. To me, this is a masterpiece in the Tom Ford collection. It’s not currently discontinued, but I bet they drop it again soon. It really is a very realistic gardenia. It blooms so perfectly in warm weather. There’s a good bit of jasmine that sits on display alongside the gardenia, but the gardenia is the main note. It does remind me of Creed’s White Amber. I’ve still been familiarizing myself with this fragrance, but I’ve been in love every time I’ve worn it—constantly smelling it and loving when it wafts up. Longevity and sillage are pretty good.

As a guy who is also a Tom Ford hoarder, I picked this up looking for something to wear during the Spring. Took me a few wearings to truly understand this one. It is very linear but also complex. You can smell a creamy almost mushroom scent along with a bitter/sour citrus. But yet these scents come together to create a beautiful floral note. Nothing crazy, nothing exciting, just a nice, Spring floral. Glad I picked it up.

Velvet gardenia is a work of art. Honey. White florals and and earthy undertone. The reserve collection is more refined and less screetchy than the OG bottle. 9.3/10

beauitful work of art. Complex mushroom earth floral scent with bursts of white florals. Amazing

I got a 250mL sealed reserve flacon for sale. Its really good. Sad they discontinued it.