Tobacco Oud vs Intense Comparison

For this head to head match up, I wanted to take a look at two Tom Ford fragrances but in particular, the two Tobacco Oud scents: the original vs. Tobacco Oud Intense. Which of these colognes smells better? Which has better sillage? Better longevity? Which one is the fragrance to consider buying?

Tale of the Tape: Tom Ford Tobbaco Oud vs Intense

Tobacco Oud

Notes include: tobacco, oud, amber, whiskey, vanilla, cinnamon, benzoin, patchouli, sandalwood, coriander, cedar, incense

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Oud Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.4oz

Read my original review: Tobacco Oud Review

Tobacco Oud Intense

Notes include: oud, tobacco, amber, cedar, coriander, tonka bean, patchouli, sandalwood, labdanum

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tobacco Oud Intense by Tom Ford, 3.4 oz EDP Spray Unisex

Read my original review: Tobacco Oud Intense

Opening

Tobacco Oud opens up with a big dose of the oud, but also whiskey, which is more prominent than the tobacco at the start. Under that layer, there is the cured tobacco, spicy coriander, and an earthy patchouli. The start is rough and pretty smokey.

Intense starts off with the tobacco and oud notes, it is dark and smokey, but under that is a smooth amber and tonka bean blend. It is much sweeter and not as harsh as the original. For that reason, I will give the opening round to Tobacco Oud Intense.

Edge: Intense

Projection

Is the intense version better in terms of sillage? Yes. Tobacco Oud Intense reaches a higher level of strength and maintains that strength for longer than the original’s peak. Even after that, it is still stronger in its more moderate stages.

Edge: Intense

Longevity

This is where it is actually interesting. With the original, I could get 10+ hours of wear on my skin. With Intense, I only get 7-9 hours. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s the particular batch or maybe the original just has better staying power.

Edge: Tobacco Oud

Versatility

No real difference here. Both are cold weather fragrances. Better for dressed up versus casual. Both attractive, but not particularly sexy. The similarities don’t provide for distinctions in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I like the dry down of the original Tobacco Oud, but the opening act, kind of puts me off. It’s too harsh and boozy. The latter stages get, better before it settles down into a smoother woody fragrance with an underlying sweetness…pretty much what Intense is throughout.

The original has more spice and booziness, which I usually enjoy, but not so much in the composition.

Tobacco Oud Intense, just has a better smell throughout. The amber and tonka bean help to create a smooth, almost leathery effect, in the fragrance.

Plus, the oud is toned down, the further along you get into the wear. For me, it is just a better overall experience. Between the two, I’d definitely go with Intense.

Winner: 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.