Casablanca 56

Casablanca 56 takes on one of Tom Ford's most recognisable Private Blend scents, Soleil Blanc, and the resemblance is strongest in the first hour. Bergamot and pink pepper open bright before a coconut-heavy white floral heart takes over, giving the same suntan-lotion-at-the-beach effect the original is famous for. Jasmine and tuberose add a sweet, slightly synthetic sheen that reads more simplified than the real thing but still lands the general idea. The amber, benzoin and tonka base in the original carries the scent for hours with real depth; here it is present but noticeably thinner, so the coconut-floral character fades into a soft, generic warm musk well before the six-hour mark. It performs best applied generously and worn in warm weather, where the tropical florals feel most at home. As a way to test whether the Soleil Blanc profile suits you before committing to the designer price, Casablanca 56 does its job; as a lasting all-day fragrance it falls short of the original's staying power.