I GENERALLY favour sweet scents but like to experiment with something a bit heavier and muskier, particularly in the Summer months.

Tom Ford's latest fragrance, Oud Minerale, will be launched on July 14, and contains one of the most expensive perfume ingredients in the world.

It is derived from the tropical agar tree, which is thought to originate in Assam in India.

When the wood gets infected with a certain mould variety  it reacts by producing a precious, dark and fragrant resin, which is the perfume ingredient oud.

I'm testing a small, sample bottle but the scarcity of the key ingredient means a 50ml bottle will set you back £155.

The unisex scent also contains pink peppercorn and salty seasweed and the first hit is like a blast of ocean spray.

It later develops into something seriously dark and smoky and I'm transported to a sun-drenched beach party in Mustique.

Verdity - four stars of musky luxury

Tom Ford Oud Minerale will be available from House of Fraser, Glasgow and at www.tomford.com