Oud Wood vs Intense Comparison

I reviewed Oud Wood by Tom Ford, in the beginning of this year. I also had a small batch of Oud Wood Intense, but only got around to testing it recently. Now, that they’re both out of the way with the reviews, I wanted to do a head to head comparison post between them. Oud Wood vs. Oud Wood Intense. Which is the better fragrance? Which lasts longer? Which has the greater sillage?

Tale of the Tape: Oud Wood vs. Intense

Oud Wood

Notes include: rosewood, sandalwood, oud, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, cardamom, and vetiver

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood Eau De Parfum Spray – 50ml/1.7oz

Read my original review: Oud Wood

Oud Wood Intense

Notes include: oud, juniper, leather, cypress, angelica, ginger

Click here to try: Tom Ford Oud Wood Intense 1.7 oz./ 50 ml Spray New 

Read my original review: Oud Wood Intense

Opening

Oud Wood starts off with a strong blast of the oud note and cardamom. Underneath that, is a peppery sort of spice. It’s warm and dry, with sandalwood and rosewood, already being prominent at the base. It’s a very spicy and woody, sort of aroma up top.

Oud Wood Intense is a monster from the start. It too, is spicy, with less of the oud in the beginning. What you get is a spiciness from the ginger, with an animalistic spice, and the smell of rich leather. Quite a different experience.

Which opening is better? It’s tough to say, but I think I’ll give the edge to the original. Intense can be pretty harsh and bold, in the immediate stages, while Oud Wood gets right to business.

I think that the original has a better balance, even if it is the more understated scent of the two of them.

Edge: Oud Wood

Projection

This one isn’t even close. Oud Wood Intense has a bomb-like sillage. It is loud and can project itself like crazy, off of a few sprays. Oud Wood is more of a moderate, then, a lighter scent after some time has past.

I’m glad that they made an intense version that actually lives up to the title. Oud Wood itself, isn’t terrible with the sillage or how far it projects. It’s maybe a bit above average, in the initial stages of wear.

It just doesn’t compete with its flanker, though.

Edge: Intense

Longevity

The original Oud Wood, was pretty mediocre on my skin, with how long it lasted. I only got 4-5 hours of wear from it. Meanwhile, Intense, will hit 10+ without even a problem. It really is an all day kind of fragrance.

I’m not sure if other people have had problems with the performance of Oud Wood, but it really didn’t hold up for me. Intense, however, is great and lives up to its lofty price point.

Edge: Intense

Versatility

Oud Wood and Intense are both cold weather fragrances. Oud Wood can be worn formally, to an office, or casually. Not a club beast, nor will most folks find it particularly sexy.

Intense, on the other hand, has some limited uses. It is very loud cologne. It’s not really office suitable, and would seem, to be best used casually. It’s a niche sort of scent, that isn’t going to have a wide appreciation among the public.

Neither of these perfumes is super versatile, with when or where it can be worn, but the original is much more accessible.

Edge: Oud Wood

Overall Scent

This is a pretty challenging call. For one reason, I’m not a huge oud fan. Secondly, these are ultimately quite different fragrances, with period of overlap.

In my mind, Oud Wood Intense, is the better fragrance. I find it intriguing, even if, I don’t ultimately love it. The fiery and smoky qualities. The leather. The dry cypress. The bold presentation. It’s great.

The downside? It’s so niche and powerful, that most guys won’t be able to wear it. Heck, I couldn’t wear it for much beyond testing it out.

Oud Wood is the safer choice. But, I don’t really care for it, as it isn’t super interesting like its flanker. The smell is better initially, but Intense has more going on, start to finish. The performance of Oud Wood was pretty crappy, especially at the price. Had that not been the case, it would have taken it.

As it stands, I’m giving the win to Intense, even if only a few will find it to be something they can use.

Winner: Oud Wood Intense

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.