No.541 Oud Minérale

Oud Minérale is one of Tom Ford's more polarising Private Blend releases, pairing a genuinely oceanic, salty seaweed accord against warm oud and pink pepper. Eden Perfumes' No.541 leans hard into that marine contrast from the very first spray, with a bright aquatic and pink pepper top note that lands sharper and more synthetic-smelling than the original's more layered sea-air effect. The heart of seaweed, balsam and salt continues the maritime theme, delivering a genuinely briny, mineral character that is the dupe's strongest point of resemblance to Tom Ford's version. Where the two diverge most is the base: the real Oud Minérale relies on a dense, skin-hugging ambroxan and musk combination that gives it exceptional longevity, while Eden's rendering of oud, styrax and ambroxan is comparatively thin and fades to a light skin scent within a few hours. The overall effect is a lighter, fresher, more wearable take on a niche fragrance that many find intense or even off-putting in its full-strength original form, which may actually suit people who like the concept but find Tom Ford's version overwhelming. It's a fair-weather fragrance best worn when the salty, oceanic character can shine rather than compete with heavy layers.