Old Spice Forbidden Woods Spiced Oud and Amber scent combination. Both ingredients listed have a wide variation of scents depending on the manufacturer. Oud is so expensive that it's never 100%, so here it's blended with "Amber," which is itself a blended scent largely based on vanilla. The result is something unique and not in the least cloying. I put a single spray on my wrist and rubbed it until warm (1 full spray might be too much). I wasn't impressed with the initial scent even after the alcohol dissipated, but the scent dulls down after 30 minutes or so to be subtly underlying but constant, that's familiar but I can't seem to place. The closest that I can describe it is "leathery raspberry/citrus" but more complex. The manufacturer's description says "warm" with "citrus." I'd agree with the "warm." The scent is very smooth and a bit sweet, not overpowering, and is not harsh after the initial 30-40 minutes. Even though the name is "Forbidden Woods," it definitely isn't a pine forest type of smell. It might be closer to an earthy organic soil in a deciduous forest. The price is in line with other blended oud scents. Scent is personal but this might be something to try if you like the oud scents. The bottle with the label background is classy enough to give as a gift. 5 stars - but that's just my personal preference. Read more
Old Spice steps way outside its comfort zone with Forbidden Woods, and the result is far better than most people would expect. Branded as a spiced oud and amber fragrance, this release leans much more into a smooth, wearable woody-spice direction rather than anything challenging or “oud-heavy.” The opening brings a burst of warm spices paired with a subtle mandarin brightness. It’s not sharp citrus—it’s more of a gentle lift that keeps the spice from feeling too dense. As it settles, a soft floral freshness comes through, though the jasmine never reads as distinctly floral. Instead, it blends into a clean, slightly airy sweetness. Where this fragrance really finds its identity is in the drydown. Amber takes the lead, supported by a light vanilla sweetness and a caramel nuance that adds depth without ever going gourmand. Despite the “oud” branding, there’s no funky or animalic quality here—what you actually get is a smooth, approachable woodiness that feels closer to sandalwood or cedar. Performance is one of the biggest surprises. Even at an eau de cologne concentration, this pushes well beyond expectations. Projection is noticeable early on, and longevity reaches into the 6+ hour range on skin, which is closer to what you’d expect from an eau de toilette. It doesn’t just sit close—it actually announces itself. The presentation is solid across the board. The bottle carries that classic Old Spice aesthetic with a more refined twist, and while the cap is average, the sprayer performs well and delivers a satisfying mist. Versatility is another strong point. While it naturally fits cooler weather—fall evenings, winter days, and crisp spring nights—it’s controlled enough to work year-round with lighter application. It also doubles well as a casual, post-shower scent that lingers into the next morning. This isn’t your dad’s Old Spice. It’s a modern, spicy-amber fragrance with a woody backbone that feels easy to wear and surprisingly well put together. The only real sticking point for some will be its price positioning, as it sits in a space with heavy competition—but strictly on scent and performance, it delivers. Read more
My husband is 47 and has used and loved Old Spice most of his adult life. I recently had the opportunity to order Old Spice Signature Cologne for Men, in Forbidden Woods scent. As far I know, this is the first time Old Spice has a traditional cologne fragrance spray like this and my husband has been excited to try it. This is a 3.4 ounce glass bottle with a misting spray nozzle. It looks like a classic men's cologne spray with the classic branding and design of Old Spice and is quite lovely looking. The misting spray nozzle works well and allows for a wide spray on a targeted area. The notes include warm spices, mandarin, jasmine, caramel, amber and vanilla. The scent is pretty classic Old Spice, with a bit of a blended spice smell. He has so far worn it alone and layered it with a different cologne and both smell really nice. He has not had any adverse reactions, nor have I and I sometimes can be sensitive to fragrances. This fragrance is thoughtfully crafted, very nice in quality and works really well - especially as it warms up against his skin. This is not the classic Old Spice your grandpa wore, but a leveled up, sophisticated version that meets tradition and modern meet. I think it’s perfect for any occasion and any type of weather. Ultimately, my husband loves this, the quality is nice, the price is reasonable and I think it’s a great value. I look forward to smelling their other new scents as he tries more! Read more
This is a close dupe to Replica By the Fireplace but not as smoky. It has the marshmallow smell, the oud spiced scent, and cinnamon. It's a nice manly smell, but note that this is an EDT so it doesn't last very long. It smells pretty smooth compared to the other dupe which is Lattafa Ameer Al Oud Intense Oud. That one is a little smokier and spicier, but I wear that one often. This one is smoother and less in your face. It's pretty good for every day use. I'm not a fan of the price. It's not super effective for the price even if the scent is nice. Longevity is ok maybe 3-4 hours. Projection is maybe an hour or two. I prefer this one over Ameer Al Oud, but it's not worth the extra $30 for me. It doesn't last as long as the others. Read more
