Neroli Oud

I really like this odd/interesting combo. It works. Oud and rose have been done to death. On my skin, the oud is amped with that sour, dark quality offset by the sweet neroli and a bit of jasmine in the top then deepened by some musk. Very pretty on the skin. My friend's amped the neroli. I also own Neroli Blanc Intense which is the sweet neroli floral and Tubereuse Rosee that is very weak and light on me. Of the three, this is my fave.

Review: Calvini sums this up perfectly in the comments below; I'd just omit the "goat-cheese" reference based on my experience. Fragrances from this house often disappear like they never existed. This is one of them (as is the amazing Lavande Ombree). Masterpiece? No. Unique, and uniquely good? Yes, and worth penciling in if you're a hunter of the very obscure. Years ago I bought an Au Pays discovery set from a niche perfumery store, when Neroli Oud had just been released. I wore the Neroli Oud sample one night when my friend and I went out. She was so smitten by it that she bought an entire bottle for me to wear. This is the only time she's ever done this. I still have the bottle, which I use sparingly, and she still loves it. I like it a lot myself; it's not like anything else I've smelled before or since. Wearing Neroli Oud this past weekend prompted this review. Yes it was here. Yes it was polarizing. And yes, it's a reminder that the fragrance world has almost endless possibilities for discovery, ranging from the houses we hear about ad nauseum to the quiet ones like Au Pays.

Not much oud to speak of, but a deep and sensual neroli with a strong waxy Castille soapiness . Umami in food describes a pleasant rich broth or mushroom highly flavoured taste, I have no idea how you could convert that principle to scent. But there is something in this that begs to be defined that way. Moderate sillage and longevity. An interesting one for certain. I won it on eBay for a song as the brand probably isn’t that well known here, and am grateful that I got a chance to experience it. I don’t think I would have paid full price for this fragrance in a boutique, definitely a try before you buy candidate.

Neroli Oud is a sweet, rich, honeyed neroli, with a distinct fruity aspect and a warm woody glow. It is quite gourmand in character. The neroli is luscious and dense, but the other notes, particularly the oud accord and its interplay with the neroli, suggests pastries or buttery shortbread. Although this fragrance is marketed at women, I think perhaps men will enjoy it more as it is recognisably "fresh" and orangey, yet simultaneously warm and comforting. Neroli Oud is good for morning wear or for cool evenings.

BITTER. That's what it opened with (to my surprise), along with the slightly sour goat-cheesy oud (probably the same kind as in Dusita Oudh Infini)--quite unpleasant to be honest. Then it softens and opens up with more warmth & sweetness, which is still bittersweet, never stepping into the gourmand zone although very dried-fruity (not juicy). I feel like the neroli only aids the sharpness & bitterness (closer to petitgrain than orange blossom); the sweetness probably came from jasmine. Smells very "indie" as opposed to "niche" or luxury...I prefer Boadicea Hyde Park with similar theme but different interpretation. I agree with @rob2b's "sweet, rich, honeyed neroli, with a distinct fruity aspect and a warm woody glow" for the drydown ONLY.

This is not an oud, this has bitter fruits with musk, lime maybe, and kind of lily of the valley with red roses. After all, the quality isn't shown in their fragrances. It feels quite normal and kind of commercial.

What are the fragrance notes in this? There are none currently listed. Or is Neroli the only note in this?

Head: Bergamot, Orange blossom. Heart: Jasmine, Rose, Fruity Candied, Oud. Base: Balsamic, Gourmand, Oud.