Patchouli is the new Black Satin: Tom Ford White Patchouli Review

Patch notes are popping up everywhere in the new fragrance releases. Perfumers are tweaking the note to be "un-patch" like. Tom Ford wanted "to free the patchouli from the cliche and present it in a truly innovative way." His way is mixing patchouli with white flowers(think peony and jasmine) and bergamot. The patch note he utilized is a patchouli orpur. According to the release, this is a "precious ingredient that perfumers give the reserve status of a gran cru". This is fancy talk for "it smells like patchouli leaves." All kidding aside, White Patchouli is slightly confusing.

This is not a head shop worthy patchouli nor is it whispery light. It is the star of the fragrance yet it is largely overshadowed by the ingenue note of bergamot. This note somehow manages to steal the show. It is hard to imagine that any note can steal away the thunder from a note as powerful as a patchouli.

The bergamot note truly adds a lightness and clarity to the fragrance. It almost makes it fizzy. This is also one of the most powerful bergamots I have ever witnessed in a fragrance. Bergamot usually appears in the beginning of the fragrance and quickly introduces the wearer to the rest of the scent. It's typical life is brief and quick. This bergamot not only stays strong throughout the opening but lasts well until the end of the mid notes.
The dry down is a mix of ambrette seed(Chanel 18-like), more patch, incense and woods.

The 30 ml bottle retails for $60, 50 ml is priced at $92 and 100 ml is priced at $138. The bottle is white opal glass with 23 karat gold accents. It is available at Nordstorm, Bergdorf Goodman

Credit: Tom Ford

Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Tom Ford