Patchouli Absolu by Tom Ford Review

I have only about a handful of Tom Ford samples to finish getting through, after this one, before I’m done with my current stash. Of course, I’ll have to acquire whatever scents are left, in order to do writeups another time. However, today, we have an entry from the Private Blend collection: Patchouli Absolu. Yep, a patchouli based fragrance is going to be a bit polarizing, but we will see how this one ranks. How does it smell? What are the notes? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Patchouli Absolu Smell Like?

Notes include: patchouli, leather, cypriol oil, guaiac wood, moss, amber, bay leaf, tonka bean, rosemary, and cashmere wood

Click here to try: Tom Ford Patchouli Absolu Eau De Parfum 50 Ml

My Full Review

Patchouli Absolu is a part of Tom Ford’s Private Blend series of fragrances. From the start, this particular scent is going to be pretty niche, as patchouli isn’t always everyone’s favorite ingredient. It’s definitely not mine, but it is here in spades. Will you have to like patchouli, to enjoy this? Yes. However, it really doesn’t strike me as, most other fragrances of this type.

The opening act is quite woody, dry, and with a slight spice. You do have rosemary and bay leaf, at the top, but neither strikes me as being all that strong for the duration of the wear. The patchouli is there, but it really starts to break out, a little later on.

Along with the main attraction and herbal spice is: oud, leather, moss/woods. The wood is definitely cypress to go along with that oud note, which isn’t very strong. I like the addition of the leather here, I think that is what is making the patchouli itself, much more tolerable. It’s smooth while being quite earthy/woodsy, with that super dry profile.

During the dry down and the rest of the wear, the patchouli gets stronger, and is flanked by the leather. The moss is the next strongest note, to my nose, with woods underneath. There does seem to be at least some amber and tonka bean in Patchouli Absolu, but it is very little, and really blends together.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage of Patchouli Absolu is pretty strong. This isn’t one that you’ll want to douse yourself with, even if you really enjoy it. A little will go a long way.

Like most other Tom Ford fragrances, this one will last for a long time on the skin, as well. 10+ hours has been my experience with it. Really, it’s one that I just lose track of because it just keeps going.

Seasonally, stick mostly to the autumn and winter months with this one. In my opinion, it wouldn’t be bad on warm days, but keep away from the high heat.

This is a casual to formal wear fragrance. Not really a nightlife or date night sort of scent, unless whoever you’re dating, just loves patchouli.

It’s got a real mature sensibility about it. Most younger guys, would want nothing to do with wearing this. It’s not so offensive to a general audience, but in a lot of ways it will be more of a niche wear.

Overall Impressions of Patchouli Absolu

Overall, do I like Patchouli Absolu? It’s not my style, but for what it is, I do like it. The patchouli and leather are quite good together. Plus, that mossy dryness and wood, create a masculine and earthy scent.

It’s not too harsh, but has a definite classic feeling. I wouldn’t recommend this for most guys to just grab a bottle of. However, if you’re a patchouli fan, I’d definitely give this one a try. It’s right up there with the best of them.

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.