Cola Oud

Sampling Aromas de Salazar Cola Oud, definitely among the most interesting-sounding entries in the current catalogue, as I love the taste and aroma of cola and find oud to be a bit of a wildcard. Cola Oud largely delivers on its name, a blend of cola and our, slightly dirty and animalic via the latter but fresh, citric, and caramelized via the former. Like several of Michael Salazar’s other creations, it feels like an artful, inventive mix of opposites, delivering on both the main notes with a supporting cast of blackcurrant, pepper, jasmine, and the (very necessary for cola) citruses. There are two other cola-rich fragrances that are quite excellent if you’re looking for more cola than is in Cola Oud: Hendley Perfumes Cola (currently sold out but occasionally restocked) and Mancera Tonka Cola, which seemingly had a highly-anticipated release in late 2022. Overall, I’m impressed with Cola Oud for delivering on its concept with high quality and creative blend of notes. It’s definitely less easygoing than the other aforementioned two cola fragrances but that’s frankly fitting as Cola Oud is more daring, edgy. Cola Oud is sold via both the house website and Perfumology and is priced at $225 for 50ml, on the higher end of the catalogue, though there are sometimes discounts. And like most offerings in the house, it performs very well. 8 out of 10

To my nose this is surprisingly light, I had anticipated with note list this would be heavier with all of woods and spices, but the florals and citruses in the cola accord balance the heavier elements. Though the name is Cola Oud, it delivers far more than that. The cola merges well with the bouquet of florals and spices, while the oud meshes with the woods. As another reviewer mentions, Salazar has a tendency to have opposites play off one another, and does it very well. The bright, sweet, and spicy cola, complimwnts the animalic, dark, rich oud and woods extremely well. The blending of these elements makes for a complex crowd pleaser. I find this perfume to be quite approachable and easily wearable, despite its unconventional composition. I think this fragrance is an interesting jack of all trades, I think it could be worn well any time of year, any time of day, and in any occasion. It’s most recent price point of $350 is a tad unapproachable, but I do believe it is quite the quality perfume.

An unexpected and beautiful surprise. This is hard to explain but ever so lovely. A freshly popped can of Cola...drank while wearing the best silk Abaya you can buy, drenched in the best Oud money can buy....that is what Cola Oud smells like. Luxury.

I like it. Quite Oud heavy, but not like Bortnikoff Lao Oud type of level. This is a great scent if you wanted more than Papillon Salome, PDM Layton exclusif or even Zoologist Tyrannosaurus Rex. Those are level 1 animalics. Cola Oud is level 2. Bortnikoff and Areej Le Dore are level 3 types of Animalics. I get more Oud than Coca cola. Though I can detect it slightly. Definitely not a fizzy soda scent at all. Not like Dua Brand Kola Tabac or Outremer Cola. I give it four stars. There could be more coca cola notes in this. Maybe a pyramid like this Top: Cherry, Cinnamon, Coca-Cola, Lime,Myrrh,Labdanum, Black Currant, Coriander, Vanilla Absolute, Raspberry, Anise ,Peru Balsam, Cinnamon Leaf, Mid: Geranium, Coca-Cola, Pink Pepper, Heliotrope, Nutmeg ,Jasmine Absolute Base: Black Pepper, Clove,Hiba Wood, Indian Oud, Papyrus,Oak Wood,Coca-Cola Cola oud sort of reminds me of Brooklyn Emporium 100 Tweeds. But more earthy.