Chinese Oud

A Shalimaresque take on Oud or an Oud take on Shalimar? That is the question and how I see Chinese Oud from Areej le Dore. Chinese Oud Part 1 ranks among my favorite ALDs, just behind Antiquity, War and Peace, and Ottoman Empire. It is an Oud heavy perfume making use of a beautiful Hainan Agarwood oil that is the very soul of the composition. The oud presents faint smoky and hay-like facets but the main trait is the leather-like quality. Brown, smooth like silk, rich, suede leather-like texture and smell is what I feel this oud is all about. Blended with creamy florals, patchouli, and vanilla to create an Oriental mirage which to my nose resembles Shalimar and Musc Ravageur, basically that lineage. However, it brings something new to the table, specifically, high-quality natural oud, and a plethora of other marvelous and natural ingredients while Adam's skill makes it feel effortless and expertly blended—smooth transitions with seamless overlaps, no edges, and no misplaced notes. The opening is so addictive as creamy aldehydes and a juicy orange blend to give the impression of an orange creamsicle cocktail—mouthwatering and unique use of aldehydes which for many can be offputing. The heart reveals a lush and creamy floral garden where specific floral accords are difficult to separate as they are blended to perfection. At the same time, the base is a combination of oud, vanilla, patchouli, and Mysore sandalwood. The vanilla gives sweetness and warmth but it is never cloying nor cheap smelling like the usual vanillin and other common substitutes. The patchouli lends a nice chocolaty touch. The Mysore has a rich buttery texture that becomes more apparent after several hours and will continue to come forth as the perfume consumes on the skin. It feels like an Oriental dream. An Oriental take on vintage French perfumery aesthetic that offers another perspective on a well-established genre. As far as Part 2 is concerned, I feel that the composition is identical, however, the Oud used is different and it gives the perfume a different feel, especially in texture. While Part 1 feels smooth and leather-like, Part 2 feels rather woody, like hardwood, with additional bitterness and sourness in the opening as well as a far more noticeable smoky facet. Since Oud is the star and the main note in this perfume, I feel these two are quite different and I feel that way whenever I wear them. I love both, for different reasons. Part 1 for its leather-like quality, feeling like a continuation of Shalimar. Part 2 for its woody and smoky facets, feeling like a more Oriental departure to the same theme. Either way, this is one of the best ALDs to my tastes and a great example of how Oud can be so versatile when used properly and by the right nose. IG:@memory.of.scents

Chinese Oud I count myself as very lucky to have heard about the launch of Russian Adam’s on the day when it first could be purchased. I watched the video Russian Adam released about how this fragrance was imagined, then created. For anyone wishing a wonderful introduction to a self-taught master perfumer describing his creative process in loving detail, I would urge you to watch it on YouTube. Unfortunately, there were only a small number of Chinese Oud produced (in 30 0r 10 ml), in part because of the very rare Ouds used in its production. It is now sold out. I have the 10ml version which, just by the way it is packaged, one can tell it’s something special. If there is anyone who can summon words that can give a feeling that you can almost smell it yourself it is the blogger Kafkaesque. He often writes monumentally long descriptions of scents he loves. Such is the case with Chinese Oud. It will take you a good 30 minutes or more to read it all, but it is well worth it. I think he was gifted with a Nose few will ever have. I wish fragrances would last as long as they do on him! I find he is incredibly helpful when it comes to separating the great from those that are special but not monumental. I find Chinese Oud far different than the many, many ouds I have tested or own. This applies to Russian Adam’s other fragrances as well as the usual suspects from Bortnikov, Ford, Killian, MFK, and Humbert. On me the scent is not a beast, silage is good but not great. Longevity is better and if put on clothes it hangs around for days. Since it is so rare and hard to come by, I will only wear this to very special events or just a day in life when I need to smell a scent that is transformative. Is Hainan the holy grail of Ouds? It may well be, but I just know the fragrance has qualities I have never encountered before.

My first experience with an Areej Le Dore, and my goodness, what an introduction. Generally, I don't care for natural oud fragrances because where I'm from (Middle East), natural oud perfumes/oils are so common, especially Indian and Cambodian oud; they're the people's go-to for formal events such as weddings. But when I found a 10ml original sample with 6-7ml left of this going for 65$, I couldn't stop myself and blind bought it. Maybe I don't have the most experienced nose, but I honestly don't get the top notes. As soon as I sprayed the perfume, I was blasted with that wild Hainan oud, and it is breathtaking. It's very multifaceted; medicinal, dusty, earthy, and smoky. It feels ancient, and on top of all of that, the oud note feels very textured and detailed. Smelling the oud in this felt like the equivalent of when I came across an 8K TV for the first time, but this time it's a nosegasm rather than an eyegasm. As the fragrance dries down, the intensity of the oud calms, and the floral aspects come out, as well as the lovely vanilla and sandalwood, the dry down is so calming and smooth I feel like it's impossible for anyone to dislike. This composition is so different from the usual natural oud perfumes I’ve tried that I'm willing to say it easily lands a spot as one of my favorite oud perfumes, if not my favorite. It's that good.

I have many ALD fragrances. I just received Chinese Oud I and I am flabbergasted. It shot up into the pantheon of the greats for me. On the level with War and Peace II, Russian Musk II, Ottoman Empire, Oud Zhen.. I don't think I can add much to the discourse that @Dr B1414 has not already shared. The profile offers a striking similarity to Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur, I get the Shalimar DNA. Chinese Oud opens with a juicy, sweet orange / creamy vanilla / sparkling, metallic aldehyde. I'm typically not a fan of the "creamsicle" type combination, but this is SO well done. Shortly after, the oud warms up and makes its contribution - woody, slightly green, somewhat medicinal in quality, recalling a tongue depressor - the popsicle stick to complete the creamsicle whole. I have a more difficult time picking out the accords as it progresses, it's blended to fantastic effect and I just revel in the magic instead of trying to dissect and make it an intellectual experience. Patchouli / sandalwood / lightly vanillic and the oud is so well rounded giving something of a musky, spicy quality. Top 5 from the house, maybe top 3 (it's so hard to pick)

This is a very wearable and non-challenging oud fragrance from Areej le Dore. For those who are expecting animalic and pungent Hainan oud, this is not it. In fact, the Hainan Oud used in this composition is superbly blended with the fruity notes of sweet orange and bergamot up top. There is distinct and powerful smokiness upon first spray which I take it to be Hainan Oud. The scent is balanced by some white florals of gardenia and jasmine, but I do not detect much rose. The dry down is fantastic as the smokiness subsides, giving way to sandalwood and sweet vanilla. I also sense sourness from oakmoss that mixes very well with the sweetness of the fruits, vanilla and patchouli. Overall, this is an enjoyable perfume from Russian Adam, the one that is not offensive. The longevity is excellent and projection is loud within the first 2-3 hours. Enjoy!

Highly versatile and totally a non-challenging oud fragrance. This is not the animalistic, strong Hainan oud that some might be expecting. In fact, the Hainan Oud that was employed in this composition is beautifully complemented by the citrusy top notes of sweet orange and bergamot. Although I don't perceive much rose, the aroma is complemented with a few gardenia and jasmine white florals. The dry down is excellent as the smokiness fades and is replaced by sandalwood and sweet vanilla. In addition, I detect a sourness from the oakmoss, which blends beautifully with the sweetness of the fruits, vanilla, and patchouli. Overall, Russian Adam's perfume is a pleasant one that is not repulsive. Beast at performance!

What a beauty! It really smells like the incense being lit in China buddhist temples. Especially the beginning brings me right back to the visit of a temple on the mountain in southern province of China. I also get a wonderful drydown with the incensy semi-sweet sandalwood and oud combo. Love how it transported me to a vivid memory in past.

Very nice non challenging Oud fragrance with florals,vanilla and Sandalwood.Well blended and one of my fav sandalwood/vanilla fragrance.1 st version have little more depth compared to second version and smells identical.All day any time wear and it has good longevity.

The heart of Chinese Oud reminds me of a (likely idealized) horse stable. I get the sense of leather, polishes, liniments, saddle soap, hay, and horse. For a first impression, it's really lovely.

Mouldy Citrusy opening with a smokey incense shortly afterwards, should be called Chinese Incense because it smells like a temple, Oud is nowhere to be found. The only reason why i'm keeping this is because of the beautiful wooden carved 10ml atomiser! I hope it grows on me.

Chinese Oud starts with fatty uplifting aldehydes, sweet orange with a beautiful boozy accord and a bergamot note that reminds me of Musk Lave. I am not sure why the boozy accord and aldehydes are listed as one accord because they act separately. The opening is stunning and it almost feels like orange flavored dark chocolate bar with its bittersweetness. Then the Chinese oud appears but it doesn’t give you the Hainan oud character I was expecting because after all, this is not a straightforward oud based scent, at least to my nose. The oud has a woody character with medicinal, leathery and fermentation touches. The animalic part of the oud is well tamed by the florals and you need to really focus to detect the civet like nuances. The florals here act more like a supportive role (although the heart is undeniably floral) adding a sweet floral touches, thus I couldn’t detect them separately except for the indolic gardenia which I could easily seperate, but there are some fruity berry-like nuances which I think come from the rose. On the testing strip, the rose was more prominent and it was such a beautiful rose with berry like fruitiness and buttery smoothness. There is a very noticeable creamy Mysore Sandalwood note that appears in the heart and remains until the drydown. There is a hint of smokiness but it doesn’t feel like birch tar smokiness. The dry-down consistsed of four notes mainly to my nose, there is the vanilla that goes to Shalimar direction, there is oakmoss and patchouli making the scent go to a chypre direction and lastly the buttery sandalwood which remained prominent on my skin. The patchouli here is not sharp, it feels more like aged patchouli, it doesn’t feel herbacious but dusty and a little bit chocolatey. Overall, even though it was not what I expected ( I expected a more oud-forward scent), I was happily surprised. It is versatile, well-blended, smooth and very easy to wear.

I blind bought this as a catch and release, and I am glad I did. Part of it reminds me of Sayat Nova, and other parts of it remind me those faux-ouds that command a ridiculous price (brands I don't need to mention). It has elements of that 'band-aid' oud that was quite prevalent from 2015 - 2017, but it also has a restrained bombastic element that I cannot look past. I can feel the oud in this, it is PUMPING, it is off the chain, and in many ways, it is restrained so tastefully that I can't help but marvel. Your first exposure to oud is usually the same as a teenager smoking a cigarette behind the bike shed after school -- you don't like it, but you spent SOOO much time seeking and acquiring, you feel disappointed in yourself for not having experienced an epiphany. This captures that first brutal exposure to oud -- those 2 or 3 elements that you HATE -- the condensed leather-bovine element, as well as that off-cheese element, and BOTH of these are blunted AMAZINGLY well. The leathery parts are smothered in a delicious orange that helps suppress the gag-reflex activating elements, and the fermented cheese is muted with the vanillic elements. You get the oud without all the foetid elements. It's the equivalent of the 13 year old drawing back and exhaling immediately. The oud is still there, but only the best parts. And that's what I love about this scent. The oud is there, but it's a vape equivalent without all the posturing and faux-macho bullshit that unfortunately accompanies so much of the oud world...

Chinese Oud 1st Edition is a true olfactory gem, crafted with the finest ingredients to create a captivating and complex scent experience. Opening with a burst of zesty bergamot and spicy saffron, this fragrance immediately commands attention with its bold and intriguing top notes. As it develops, the heart notes of rich Chinese oud and creamy sandalwood emerge, adding depth and warmth to the composition. Finally, the base notes of sweet vanilla and earthy patchouli linger on the skin, leaving a mesmerizing trail that captivates the senses.

Chinese Oud is a collaboration between the Areej Giant and Jamira Oud, a chinese oud collector and distiller who has the some of the best sources and technologies to truly and effectively get vintage chinese agarwood into use. This precious oud combined with gardenia, rose and jasmine essences all produced in China make this a splendid creation. The top is crowned with orange and bergamot and a splash of aldehydes and the final experience is a softer, subtle, modern oud sensation that will take your breath away. ✨

The orange note takes what would have been a typical offering by Areej le dore and made it simply breath taking. Don’t get me wrong, the fragrance is gorgeous but it’s familiar. Definitely has the Areej DNA all the way through. I will say it’s a very non offensive Oud fragrance. The 10 ml bottle came in a carved wooden atomizer and it’s a true collectors item.

Boozy & chocolatey with a persitent orange note. Patchouli oud orgasm. Yes please.

want to buy a bottle if anyone selling please dm me