L'Artisan Parfumeur Al Oudh (2009) {New Perfume}
As I remarked previously, and early on, this year is seeing a veritable avalanche of oudh or oud, or again aloeswood or agarwood perfumes. Clearly, the perfume world is no different than the world of fashion and it loves trends. Although 2009 is rather pluralistic, with several smaller trends developing, the oud one is taking on the proportions of a tsunami...in a fragrance bottle.
The latest to date is L'Artisan Parfumeur Al Oudh which takes on a marked Arabized flavor with not only the name but the flacon as well which is decorated in an arabesque style like the porticoes of a courtyard or the mosaic motif in a mosque. The perfume was composed by resident-nose Bertrand Duchaufour who sought original inspiration for the scent by going to a desert in the Arabian peninsula, just like he went to Panama for Fleur de Liane...
The new fragrance was presented at the 7th edition of Pitti Immagine in Florence. The composition is described as featuring four main spicy, woody, leathery and animalic accords reminding us of the type of braided construction the perfumer used for Fleur de Liane.
From the list of notes, one can only be struck by the choice to go full-length in using traditionally opulent animalic notes.
The Eau de Parfum has top notes of cumin, cardamom, pink berries; heart notes of neroli, rose, castoreum, civet, leather, musk; base notes of oud, sandalwood, Atlas cedar, patchouli, myrrh, incense, vanilla, tonka.
Via extrait.it
I've heard a lot about ouds (whichever way you spell it). Being an oriental/intense/spicy fan I'd love to try some. So far, the most reviewed ouds are the Montale collection. Only thing is, Montale is waaay beyond my budget (though I doubt this is any cheaper). MH, do you know how this compares to the Montale ouds?
No, I don't know yet. But I'll certainly report when I can. I think that -- judging from the notes -- one can only notice how Duchaufour is putting an emphasis on old-school animalic notes. His signature is not heavy-handed though. We'll see!
Thank, MH.
Sigh. So many scents, so little ...