No.668 Tobacco Oud

Eden's No.668 sets out to reproduce Tom Ford's Tobacco Oud practically note-for-note, and on paper it is a faithful attempt - whiskey up top, a spicy cinnamon-coriander-cedar heart, and a rich base of tobacco, oud, sandalwood, incense, patchouli, benzoin and vanilla. The smoky, resinous character is present from the first spray, and the sweetness from the vanilla and benzoin keeps it from feeling harsh. Where this alternative departs from the original is in intensity and dimension: Tom Ford's Private Blend original is famous for near-overwhelming projection and a dense, layered opulence that fills a room for hours, while Eden's version is comparatively restrained and reads flatter, with the individual notes sitting closer together rather than unfolding in distinct stages. Longevity is respectable for the price point but well short of the eight-plus hours the designer original delivers. It remains a genuinely smoky, boozy, tobacco-forward scent that suits cold-weather evening wear and makes a reasonable stand-in for anyone curious about the genre before committing to the real thing.