Oud Maximus 2020

Good grief this stuff is awesome! I already did a review on another version of this, but I was inspired to write again. The initial spray is all animalic oud and civet (newbies be warned/patient!), but give it 5-10 minutes to settle down and everything comes together into one of the most beautiful, uplifting and balanced fragrances I've ever smelled. Primary notes to me on the drydown are oud, rose, musk, orange, and frangipani. It gently, but steadily radiates off the skin creating a gorgeous, natural smelling scent bubble that makes me very happy and relaxed. Works equally well in warm or cool weather. Probably slightly too cloying for hot summer days, but otherwise I find Oud Maximus very versatile. To summarize, this is a sunny, musky-floral oud fragrance with a slight resinous sweetness. This garden of delights is arguably Bortnikoff's best artistic achievement.

Bortnikoff Oud Maximus 2020 (2020) - rose oriental - Hoarding Chanels and Guerlains, this perfume by Mr. Bortinikoff would have been something I would have never considered, as the concentration of intense oud accords would have been too much - even for me. But this was a delight to wear. The animalic oud accord comes out at the start, but that softens giving way to a jammy yet dewy Rose and Jasmine accord. Spices such as Cardamom and Clove create depth. But what surprised me is the mid to drydown, turning into an old-world oriental chypre. Think, Tabu by Dana, Opium by ysl and even Guerlain’s Shalimar - just with better ingredients. For the oud, oh so much warmth and smoothness that elevates the perfume’s elegance. Masterclass in using naturals.

Beautiful Beautiful oud. Right mix of oud, floral and citruses. Not barnyard at all. Just love it 💕

Beautiful scent. Harmony and elegance!

On my skin, opens very sharp and clean calming down to a floral oriental. Spicey/floral when sniffed up-close, powdery-rose oud smelled at a distance. With time the sharpness falls away leaving pink roses and unoffensive oud. The roses eventually leave, for the most part, leaving a clean oud scent reminiscent of Lao Oud's drydown. Unisex in my opinion despite the roses. Nice fragrance.