This is another superb fragrance by Tom Ford. It reminds me of Halston Z-14 almost exactly but with a more urbane, congenial nature. Italian Cypress' opening is of a smoky, herbaceous pine that welcomes attention and yet exudes class and nobility. This Eau de Parfum is in a different class, it smells of a country club's library of overstuffed leather chairs, wood panelling, roaring fire, and bookshelves stuffed with dusty, first-editions.



As the heart begins to appear, the herbaceousness softens into the background as it morphs into ashy, charred embers and wisps of smoky church incense; to elaborate on the incense facet, it has the hint of Japanese incense as well. It is so well combined, that the herbs and incense are so intertwined yet definable. Furthermore, I seem to detect Agarwood, which seems to be a favorite of Mr. Tom Ford and lends to the woodsy aspect of the scent.



At the dry down, Italian Cypress does not develop. It stays linear.



This is a linear Eau de Parfum albeit, complex. This scent is, to my opinion, age specific; this is a fragrance that is touted for the mature, not old; a man of class, character and urbanity. If generously applied, then it would smell as if a boy got into his father's cologne. This scent carries an air of colognes past, to name some: Z-14 by Halston, M7 by Yves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche Pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent and the original L'Homme by Roger & Gallet. Longevity is excellent and the sillage is moderate but if worn sparingly; if overapplied, then this scent can be ostentatious.



I feel this is a special occasion fragrance; a romantic date, an evening out, a candlelight dinner or black-tie affairs. However, at the asking price of $180, I would wear it quite often and not hoard it away, enjoy the complexity.



Tom Ford Prive Blend Italian Cypress is a must buy and is highly recommended!

I agree with grommingguru for the most part. This is a marvelous men's scent. Though most of the TOM FORD PRIVATE COLLECTION is tabbed as unisex, I can't fathom a woman wearing this.



Not familiar with Z-14, so not sure about that, but I have seen others in Basenotes make that comparison.



When I tried this, there was something vaguely familiar and pleasing.



Then it struck me. This is a modernized, cleaned up and somewhat tamed version of the original Polo green.



I guess you could save the money and buy Polo, but I find this so much more dignified and refined I may have to pop for 50ml. I could see myself and many B&B guys wearing this a lot.



The TF scents are interesting in that I note that like the Creeds, there is something slightly similar from one to the other, but I don't mean that in a bad way. This wears very nicely on me, and the longevity with TFs I've tried is fantastic.



If you liked Polo or Z-14, give this one a sample.

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