OAIRE

First try of one of Caswell-Massey’s most recent releases, Oaire, from 2024. While I’ve been familiar with the house of Caswell-Massey for some years, I’ve never actually smelled anything from them until relatively recently, having ordered the Legacy Discovery Set trio of fragrances. Oaire is a spicy, fairly dark blend with some fresh touches, described as an aromatic fougere, and it definitely smells like a classic fougere, for the most part. Geranium, osmanthus, patchouli, pepper, cedar, and suede dominate this risk. It has a bright, lively, sharp, peppery, floral side to it, but more so an underbelly of dark, spicy, resinous/leathery side, which, to me, gives it more distinction. It performs outstandingly, and I think I would find it challenging to wear in the summer but otherwise works for most seasons, and leans a bit more formal than casual. While I do not regard it as super innovative, or an especially notable example of “classic meets modern” (it feels mostly classic to me), I think it’s great execution of the concept, a masculine-leaning blend that can serve one very well throughout the year and is likely to turn heads in a positive way. Oaire is EDP concentration, priced at $200 for 100ml, and available in discovery sets, also, via the house website and seemingly a few retailers, though I bought my set via the house website. I think the main bottle pricing is very reasonable in the current market and the discovery set, if on sale, isn’t bad either, with three-7.5ml spray bottles priced at $90 retail, though it can be less expensive with a coupon. 8 out of 10

This fragrance is wonderful for inexperienced noses to help them identify particular notes. Every note is easily distinguishable in Oaire. The patchouli, black pepper, citrus, resins, and cedar are quite realistic in this fragrance, and the exceptional quality of the ingredients is apparent. This reminds me of a tincture that was created in a 19th century apothecary. I don't really find this fragrance to be a mass pleasing like most of the modern mainstream scents for men. Oaire is a profound work of art that belongs to a highly sophisticated outdoorsman. It's a mature fragrance for a man who has his affairs and priorities in order. I am grateful to have such a wonderful fragrance in my collection.

I have the soap, a strong classy scent that smells mysterious to me, almost like the quality of Tom Ford Black Orchid. It is very musky-ambroxany, with a pepper drydown. One of my favorite Caswell-Massey scents, up there with Jockey Club and Greenbriar.

Light and airy, yet dark and mysterious. A unique fragrance that is suited for any time or occasion, and performs beautifully.

Reminds me a lot of Bleu de Chanel. It's very fresh and herbaceous with a solid woody resin base. I don't pick up much osmanthus in the top notes, which seem to be dominated by the sage and tarragon. The pepper notes are quite soft, lacking the harsh hot pungency of a freshly cracked peppercorn and instead providing a nice even warmth which helps to tone down the high aromatics. It's not a groundbreaking or particularly unique fragrance, but it is incredibly balanced and easy to wear. If you'd rather support a small American house over a mega conglomerate like LVMH, I think this is a wonderful choice.