Champaca Absolute by Tom Ford

I’m getting towards finishing up my Tom Ford fragrance reviews, in this latest batch of samples. Today, I have a bit of an older release from 2009, but one that is still in production. That being, Champaca Absolute. What does it smell like? How does it perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Champaca Absolute Smell Like?

Notes include: champaca, amber, sandalwood, cognac, vanilla bean, tokaji wine, orchid, jasmine

Click here to try: Tom Ford Champaca Absolute Edp Eau De Parfum Spray Private Blend 1.7 Fl / 50 Ml

My Full Wear Review

Here’s how Tom Ford describes it: CHAMPACA ABSOLUTE PERFUME SHIMMERS IN THE DARK, A PROVOCATIVE AND VORACIOUS FLORAL BEAUTY THAT BECOMES ELUSIVE, JUST AS YOU THINK YOU’VE CAPTURED IT.

Right off the bat, I’ve never actually smelled champaca before this. Never even knew what it was, before getting a sample of this Tom Ford perfume. So, I really didn’t know what to expect from it. 

It opens up with the boozy notes, of cognac and the tokaji wine. I also had to figure out what tokaji wine was, before sampling this perfume, and it seems to be a wine grown in a region of Hungary.

Nonetheless, I don’t think it’s ever that strong, or just gets overshadowed by the cognac…which I do know the smell of quite well.

Along with the cognac, is a hint of citrus, some sweet vanilla, and the emergence of floral notes. Luckily, my nose can pretty readily pick up on jasmine and orchid, to distinguish those aromas from other scents. Here, it has helped me to single out what I deduce is the champaca. 

The composition comes across as warm and somewhat dark, at first, while the booze settles in. Then, it becomes a lovely yellowish floral perfume, with vanilla, and soaked in a sea of amber. The cognac hangs around, but it is never as potent, as it once was.

The good news is that, there is some nuttiness that peaks through more once the cognac has started to fade out. It’s noticeable at times after the opening, but that richness sits in the amber aroma quite nicely.

To my nose, the dry down really develops a creaminess, which I find very appealing. That’s going to happen with these floral notes, when blended with vanilla, and sandalwood. Here though, it is impeccable.

Finally, the two main notes left are the champaca and sandalwood. Champaca Absolute has a drier feeling, at this point, woody yet sweet. Calming and lovely.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

The sillage here isn’t super strong, it has a certain airiness, but hangs around. Champaca Absolute is a perfume which will sneak up on you, with it’s power. It’s not a bomb or anything, but you won’t think that it’s projecting as much as it actually is.

I put some of my tester on a shirt and was catching some whiffs of the perfume, as I walked by a few days later. I had forgotten that I’d even done so.

The longevity for me, was in the 8-9 hour range. That’s on skin. Not elite, but it’ll certainly serve almost everyone’s purpose. What is great about the performance, is that the sillage didn’t completely degrade, and stayed solid even when diminished hours into the wear.

Seasonally, I don’t think that this would have a problem in any climate, really. Champaca is probably much better in the cold, but can make a nice transition when things warm up.

Maybe avoid it in the summer, during the daytime. Autumn through spring is when this one would really be at its peak.

It is listed as unisex. It is, but leans more feminine. Not every guy, will want to wear something like this, but it’s not all that girly either. Mostly going to be one that women would want to wear around.

This has a certain level of sexiness to it. Sultry and a bit seductive, while still being pretty and charming. Probably best for casual or other events, rather than the office. You might not want to have a somewhat boozy fragrance on, at work. 

Overall Impression of Champaca Absolute

Do I like this perfume? I do. It does everything well and has a unique style. This is a great option for floral lovers, who want something different.

While it is different, it isn’t so completely out there as to be unwearable. Champaca Absolute actually smells good, delivers great performance, and changes up the pace.

As a man, it’s not something that I’m going to wear personally, beyond testing it out. However, it is one that I would enjoy smelling on a woman, and is a nice release from Tom Ford. 

The cognac, nuttiness, and sweet fruit aspects of this fragrance are highlights for me. The white floral transition is cool too, but those other notes help this one to not just be another boring floral scent. 

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.