Dueling Dupes - Oud Wood vs. Woody Oud (re-up'd)

Hey frag fam! Today's frag: Tom Ford's Oud Wood (Maison Alhambra Woody Oud) Wow, I think a certain clone company has a "little man" complex. Seriously, MA just took TF's presentation and made it, well, bigger! But how's the juice? Well, let's find out...

TF Oud Wood has been around awhile and seems to be very popular. Heralded as the "entry level" oud, I'm expecting a strong showing. I went with 8 sprays across the shoulders and chest. I applied the dupe to my left arm for comparison.

Doing a little research, I found the Oud Wood is a 'linear' fragrance, having largely the same scent profile throughout the wear. And it is a smooth and easy going, woody scent that is not fecal or animalistic. Rather it's clean and even, balanced with a touch of cardamom and vanilla. The blend is expertly done, providing an even-keel to the main woodiness notes. Woody Oud starts in the same manner, but is less balanced, favoring a bit more sweetness than woodiness.

There's a noticeable difference in projection. Where Oud Wood stays relatively soft, Woody Oud pushes out a bit further. Both are not beastly projectors, staying relatively close to the skin. The profiles are very similar, and can easily be the signature fragrances for the average Joe. Versatile, I see this being used year round, day and night, and good for the office as well as intimate date nights.

Oud Wood is warm, a touch spicy, but not at all too strong. It's easy-going and inoffensive. Another noticeable difference is at what would be considered the "dry-down" stage, where Oud Wood is still a blend of woodiness, Woody Oud has transitioned more into a soft sweet, vanilla-y scent. The two fragrances diverge at this stage. Longevity for TF Oud Wood is, well, less than stellar. If I really bury my nose into my skin, I may get 5-5.5 hrs. Woody Oud lasts a bit longer, say another hour or so. So in the duplication, MA sticks to what the original does.

Tom Ford Oud Wood 50ml: Retail 295 USD, My Cost 160 USD (Maison Alhambra Woody 80ml: 22 USD)

Final Verdict: Tom Ford's Oud Wood is a great "entry" oud fragrance for those who like woody scents and would like to move to the next level. It's ultra versatile, but longevity is sub par! It's also soft, staying closer to the skin. Woody Oud does a decent job of copying, but it's woodiness lacks staying power. Woody Oud transitions into a basic sweet, vanilla-y scent. Both can easily be a signature scent, but be prepared to reapply by mid-afternoon. A big drawback for Oud Wood is the price tag. Very lopsided for the overall performance. Very tough to justify it. An excellent, but pricey, blend, the Joe Average take, grab a decant to see if you want to splurge on a full bottle. Score 8/10

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