Bois Marocain is a beautiful, evocative woody incense that's sadly let down by its dismal performance, especially the later reformulations. It's truly a "try before you buy" situation, as the scent profile proves divisive, ranging from 'stunning' to 'morning breath'.

A budget read of Tom Ford's Bois Marocain - the same dry, peppery cedar-and-incense spine, but Vernacular Wood renders it flatter and more linear. The smoky cypress edge that gives the original its quiet authority is softened here, and the woods turn a touch synthetic on the drydown. A capable office-woody if you want the silhouette without the price.