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.

This was a really pleasant surprise to me! It lasts longer than I ever would have thought even though I did go into it thinking it'd wear off after like 20 minutes lol. The rose is the star of the show easily here but you do still get a little leather. I somehow think this would suit amazing for the horse races as it's just a beautiful fresh rose scent. I feel it's mostly feminine but could be unisex as well and good for warmer weather. This is a love for me.

Peppery, slightly spicy, delicious dirty rose. A pungent, smoky rose. Sophisticated. Intoxicating. Dangerous. There’s something nefarious about her. You can smell it. It emanates from her pores like billowing black smoke from an extinguished fire. Succulent smoky smoke you inhale as deeply as you can because it tastes so delectable. Maybe it’s the roses at its center, petals singed & curled...once blood red, now burnt black...like her vengeful heart.

TF's Rose de Russie is a very ashy, green stem of the rose scent if I had to sum it up. The dry down is pretty much 'class-ed' and dressed up incense and pepper. Solid fragrance with a good perfumery backbone going on and a tad Middle Eastern and yet ultra-French smelling at the same time. 5 stars and class in a bottle personified!!!

Was genuinely and pleasantly surprised by this. It didn't last on me all that much (maybe Melbourne's current state of humidity.. you can always have too much of a good thing in a muggy climate) but the opening of pepper just lasted the entire ride. Light rose in the background. Felt like strength. Has an undeniable presence.

There's something about this scent that brings to mind the now defunct Amouage Tribute attar. This reads as more rosy and sweet, grounded by woods and roots and smoke, whereas Tribute felt more wood/vetiver/leather forward. I appreciate the more diaphanous aura vs the denser attar, but I do love Tribute much more overall.

A blast of pepper from the start with rose supporting it. As the pepper calms it turns into a leather-rose. I liked this the least out of the trio at first, but it has really grown on me and I will most likely purchase. 1. Russie 2. Chine (close second) 3. Amalfi - plastic candy rose that turns into powder.

Easily my favorite of the three new fragrances. This is actually pretty stunning, if I’m honest. Interesting, too, that most of the floral quality of this fragrance comes from the pepper and not from the rose. Also, for a recent Tom Ford, this is pretty powerful in terms of performance.

Guerlain Santal Royal + Amouage Interlude Man dry down + Tom Ford Tuscan Leather without the artificially sweet and tart raspberry note. Much smoother, more balanced and well-blended than each of the above three individual perfumes. NAAAAAAIIIIIIIIISSSSSSEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unique rose fragrance. Very realistic rose. It’s a fresh rose bouquet. Doesn’t smell like any rose fragrance I have smelled before. It smells like fresh cut roses. It’s a lot better then Roja’s, FDP etc...

This is NOT a realistic rose. It's a dark rose. I love it, but not for the price. It's mainly rose with leather and some spicy edge to it. Pretty. Powerful.

This is a favorite fragrance, please reach out if you have a bottle, desperately looking for another.

I have a boxed, sealed 50ml bottle, Paris, France, if anyone is interested in buying.

I really love this but sadly it’s discontinued because of those idiotic woke culture

An ass kicker. I wear it whenever. Sometimes I add a touch of Aqualina’s Pink Sugar.

Most realistic rose I’ve ever smelled. Beyond next level for me. I adore it.