Private Blend: Tuscan Leather (for women and men)

andyray

There are some fragrances that one can live with SO easily, rather like putting on a pair of old Levis, or a favorite pair of Timberland loafers. They're what you always gravitate towards, slip-on, and always feel good without any real effort. They are familiar, comforting and shape our identity on a regular basis.

Other fragrances, however, can make one feel self-conscious of wearing the perfume no matter how good the pedigree of the designer and the creation. They are a bit too loud, or are way different from one's everyday hues. For me, 'Tuscan Leather' falls into this second category.

At first, Tuscan Leather reminded me of a friend in the mid-late-80s who had a high-flying job in London (those were the days?) and a Saab 900 turbo - its seats redolent with that brand-new leather smell. It's that 'old memory lane' thing again with perfume but, prime facie, I found Tuscan Leather sexy and interesting... taking me back inside cars....sorry, we're back to 'Crash' again: I'll stop!

The trouble I have with Tuscan Leather on recent encounters is that, firstly, it is one-dimensional: I don't even find the vanilla: just leather layered over leather.
Secondly, it has a sort of burnt smell that verges on the unpalatable, reminding me of the anti-social sods over the back of me who occassionally have stinky, 'plasticy' bonfires and gas the neighbourhood out before the Fire Brigade arrive to quell them. Maybe there's a new-age Tom Ford trying to make his own 'Tuscan Leather' on the cheap? Anyway, it's a bit of a crematorium-type smell and runs the risk of being another fragrance with the capacity to summon the Cenobites, or a 'go-to-jail' fragrance of the 'too-much-cologne guy that we've all encountered at some time or another!

Atypically, England is in high summer June 2009 and it's hot: very Mediterranean hot like Ray Winston's character in 'Sexy Beast' says. So, it's not the time for bonfires and I don't want to summon the Cenobites (or do I ?) so I'll re-try this in the Winter and see if it's any better. I won't hold my breath!

Andyray.
Ps Once again I'm indebted to the '2 categories' concept that Chat Lunatique created in her stunning ( you MUST read!!) review of Vivre Molyneux.

guest_jayjayell

I agree with the negative and positive comments - it's raw and a little crude, and does little beyond it's initial impression (even save the monosyllabic vanilla that appears), and it's a rude version of a leather. But, it is a sexy scent and very modern. It's a good crossover to a more classic leather, such as Cuir de Russie.

tessture

Horrible. Sawdust, sour sawdust and redwood going sharp. Horrid. There’s a bunny rabbits note that is okay, but it goes away into …sour sawdust. There's leather in this? Where?

veruska

The first time i tested that i thought i liked because it seemed very light and giggling for a leather scent. But after some testing i must admit it relly bores me. I don't even care fror the cheerful opening notes(in some blogs they said that it smells like cocaine, but i really can't confirm that). In my nose is just sickly sweet and fruity. Later on when the olibanum hits the nose is fairly pleasant, but it doesn't last and the faint leathery odor that follows is highly unreamarkable especialy for someone with the taste and instict for perfume as Tom Ford.

Aiona

Leather jacket. Diesel exhaust fumes. Oil change. I have never smelled ANYTHING like this before!

I take that back. I have never smelled a PERFUME like this before. But I have smelled a leather jacket, diesel exhaust fumes, and the smell that comes from changing one's car oil. And this is it.

Three hours later, there's a vanilla smell that just gets stronger and stronger. Vanilla leather! Wow! I think I'm in love.

Staying power is awesome. Over 12 hours later, and I still am smelling vanilla leather. Amazing longevity, with just a little tiny dab.