Hello, October! If the how-is-it-this-late-in-the-year question? and corresponding lower-temperature readings are causing pause, consider this: Today also marks the official debut of Tom Ford’s latest Private Blend fragrance, a luxe fruit-floral addition, aptly named Bitter Peach ($350).
Like all things Tom Ford, the scent is rather intoxicating—and the “fruity-floral” adjective doesn’t totally do it justice (the official word from the brand is that it is best described as “sweet turns suggestive.”)
If you’re looking for a scratch-and-sniff peach scent, this isn’t it: It’s creamy, warm, multifaceted and, at times, slightly spicy and woody, with spikes and splashes of unexpected sweetness. It’s so unexpected, in fact, that if you didn’t see the name called out on the packaging, it wouldn’t necessarily be easy to pinpoint peach and, for a fleeting moment, the dry down is vaguely reminiscent of Black Orchid.
Adding to the complex nature are notes of cardamom oil, sandalwood, vanilla, rum and jasmine absolute, which give the opening mix of Pêche de Vigne and Sicilian blood orange oil an almost dark and unapologetic sensual tone, while unexpected pairings like patchouli, heliotrope, cognac oil and Tonka bean also make appearances.
The end result is something that’s fully rich and not easily discernible, exactly the kind of fragrance we’ve come to expect—and maybe even need right now—from the brand.
