TOM FORD
(FOR MEN) EXTREME

2007

PERFUMER
Claude Dir
Pierre Negrin

Basil
Chamomile
Cardamom
Coriander
Cinnamon
Cistus
Lemon

Fig
Plum
Saffron
Thyme
Violet
Cedarwood
Sandalwood

Balsam Fir
Caramel
Leather
Patchouli
Truffle
Rum
Vanilla
Vetiver
Frankincense

I’m always a bit skeptical when people praise discontinued fragrances a lot, but this one seems to be worth the hype. I actually came across it in a store and enjoyed my first sniff, so I picked it up.

Straight away, this is a very serious, alluring and mysterious fragrance. It’s mostly compared to Japon Noir from the other Tom Fords, which I haven’t smelled. For me For Men Extreme feels like it belongs perfectly among their best in my opinion, Noir de Noir and Black Orchid, but as a traditionally masculine leaning ‘cologne’.

It has a similar brooding, dark sweetness. Almost chocolate like earthiness (patchouli and truffle), a powderiness, but also a more oily element (fig and plum).

While it gets quite heavy with a leathery tinge, it has brighter and sharper aromatic touches with some pine like woodiness. It ultimately feels more like the most opulent leathery aftershave with a lot of added sweetness, rather than an amber or gourmand with aromatic touches to me.

I don’t think I’ve come across such a perfect combination of that fresher shaving foam mixed with almost edible notes before. For Men Extreme is quite complex and different things keep standing out for me over the couple of wears I’ve given it so far.

For Men Extreme is making a good case for becoming my favorite Tom Ford scent and one of my most successful (semi)blind buys.