Rose de Russie

I think Tom Ford's leather accord relies heavily on cypriol, because I get a strong whack of it here, as I do from all of the other TF leathers I've smelled. Not that it's bad, but it isn't what I expected. I prefer Rose de Chine [EDIT: Nope, I prefer this!], however this is more wearable for me out and about, at work etc. as a 43 year old man. Anyway, I was lucky enough to get a grey market bottle for 150 euros so I'll be eeking it out carefully over the years. Update: Giving it a proper wear today, and it smells 100 times better on skin than on card or clothes. Imagine the aftermath of a Shakespearean tragicomic massacre, with one guy left alive with a precious rose he salvaged clenched between his teeth to take home to his loved one. That's what this is. I've realised I love this so so much, and for the first time I feel like it's "me" through and through, perhaps a signature scent finally. Not only have I had several compliments from clients over the last two days, one of them said "it's perfect for you". It's bold, but not aggressive, and the jammy, dripping rose on the leather base is to die for. This is waaaaay better than Ombré Leather whilst sharing a little of the leather DNA. Re. comparisons to Rose et Cuir... It's like comparing two different fruit tarts. It's the same principle but one has apple and the other apricot. Here we have rose, the inaccurately named Rose et Cuir has geranium, and minty geranium to boot, so the resemblance is there, but it's more of a genre resemblance, and one certainly cannot substitute for the other. I prefer Rose de Russie, it's jammier and way easier to wear, while Rose et Cuir is perhaps more technically impressive. Another update: I reckon there's a hefty dose of cypriol here. Shem by Nishane does the same trick, using cypriol with rose to make a rosey leather, but Nishane overdid it, this is much better, although not actually any cheaper.

After a long time of questioning whether or not I should get it, as I found a reliable seller for an unopened bottle of this for a much cheaper price compared to what it originally was sold for. I wasn’t sure about it because, while I’m a fan of Tom Ford, I don’t know if they’re always worth the price. And also because of the fact that I don’t particularly want to wear leather scents. Nevertheless, the collector in me wanted to give it a go, knowing that it was discontinued. Why not, it’s my birthday month anyway, so why not treat myself? It’s definitely not a ‘rose garden’ type of scent. In that sense, I feel like it shouldn’t be a part of the ‘Private Rose Garden’ collection. The rose is present, but it’s definitely playing nicely together with the leather, wood and the pepper – all of it nicely balanced out. I was a bit worried about that as well because I don’t really enjoy fragrances where the pepper is too strong, which I heard in some of the comments of some of the people. But it wasn’t like that to me. Yes, it was a bit prickly in the beginning, but nothing overwhelming. In the drydown, the freshness comes forward more, with the smoky, leathery touches still there but perhaps more on the background. Hours and hours later, like ten hours later, surprisingly, the fresh rose is what’s still standing the most as a skin scent. Projection doesn’t seem to be huge, but longevity is great! I’m pleased with it! Is it among my favorite Tom Fords? No. But it’s not a blind buy fail, and I still love it. And it’s great to have in my collection for the fact that it’s discontinued.

rosequeen hits a bricks & mortar store for the first time in 2 years and buys a Tom Ford scent at full retail. This is actually the first full bottle of any Tom Ford scent I've ever bought. Until now, I've always made do with the little 4ml bottles decant sellers offer on eBay. Rose de Russie is that good a fragrance, and that's still so despite its now unfortunate name, considering Russia invaded Ukraine this very week. (All things "Russie" don't have as much of a romantic appeal as they had even 10 days ago.) I didn't walk into Neiman Marcus thinking I was going to buy this either. I strolled up to the Tom Ford counter like a large fly to a spider, thinking I'd spray it and walk away briskly like I usually do. But I love spicy rose scents and this is a good one. I'll go with a few other reviewers who said that it may have a bit too much pepper, but better that than too much rose. You can always add some other rose, like Van Cleefs Rose Velours or something if you think you want more rose in it. I don't though. And like some other reviewer whose words I skimmed, it is a rather scratchy patchouli. I like that too. And unlike some of Tom Ford's other offerings, this one feels like a real fragrance and not a gimmick. Thoughtful, intense, and definitely not ordinary. So far it lasts 5 hours on my skin. It had better, since I bought it at full retail. Next day note: It fades away abruptly at 7 hours, or at least did last night. It probably wore itself out.

Woot! Been trying to land this baby for awhile now since I first encountered it during pre-release at a Tom Ford boutique. There was no question that this scent is a must have since its charm is beguiling and fun. After what seemed like too long and a fly-by before getting a bottle, it is so beautiful to wear. On the paper strip, the leather is not raunchy and there is sort of an Alamo style dried desert chypre with the sweet though polished rose that is like gold sparks on a hot stone. Sizzling. The Voice of The Snake by Gucci and Indompte by Givenchy share the same raw, clean, leathery oud facet that dominates in wear on skin. Ever so lightly rich and sweet, a tart raspberry rose mixes with a chocolaty leather and a hint of almondy marzipan twirls between like a soft poudre.

Purchased this last Thursday at David Jones and I must admit I’m very impressed. Starts off as a peppery rose with an underlying spicy element to it which does add long lasting depth to this fragrance. The leather and wood notes are also prominent very early for mine and clearly last through drydown. That juice colour is amazingly vibrant and another reason I fell for this one. Apparently released with the other two private garden fragrances as part of a St Valentines Day sales pitch here in Oz. I’m sure it will do well.