Purple Oud

Dior Purple Oud is a entry in the new Maison Christian Dior collection, which supplants the Dior Privee line launched early in the millennium. Purple Oud has the distinction, along with Santal Noir, of being an offering that is not available through standard retail means in the United States, but rather only on the UK and other websites worldwide, just not the US. The name is bit perplexing, as well, as there's nothing fruity or floral about the fragrance that conjures purple. Regardless, the fragrance itself is a mix of orange, pink pepper, saffron, cedar, and eponymous oud. It opens with proportionately more citrus and then dries down to the spicy woody blend. It's never really overpowering in any one aspect, but the citrus gives way to a woodier dominance on the dry down, with the saffron adding plenty of character and pepper adding some spiciness, predictably. It comes off as a somewhat masculine-leaning classic, by no means a fougere as far as scent type, but surely a woody/spicy work that strikes me as a versatile offering for my own wearing, the splash of citrus providing just enough levity to keep this from being an evening/autumn/winter fragrance. Purple Oud's performance leaves something to be desired. While I'm unsurprised that a freshie like Balade Sauvage does not boast much longevity or projection, Purple Oud does not project for very long, and ideally it'd be a little bit more robust in this area. Still, modest projection with very good longevity is a combination that's useful its own way as far as being inoffensive, though this scent is not likely to offend even if projecting or close proximity. Overall, it's an offering that is nice and has some gravitas, unlike the majority of the fragrances in the Maison Christian Dior collection that are available in the US. 8 out of 10

This is my second review of this fragrance, this was the first big bottle of my collection, outrageously strong, very masculine. Some juicy orange and rich pink pepper to open, settles into a brilliantly balanced saffron/vetiver with some slight balsamic oudiness. Suitable for all seasons and occasions, I would say to be careful when spraying this, from your skin you will smell each note separately, it's in the sillage where the magic happens. My nose is particularly spoilt, by so many luxury fragrances that get layered daily, I wish I could go back to the day I first smelled this, so sexy, bright and comforting with a dark woody edge, definitely a masculine fragrance but could be worn by anyone daring enough :) Top class perfumery, longevity is understated here because you will go nose blind if you over spray, I recommend 2-3 sprays maximum and those 3 sprays should be spread out. The woodiness can be overwhelmingly dry if you spray too much, the vetiver note will drown the orange, it's too much. My housemate loves this on me but as soon as I gave her a decant, she went and sprayed about 3ml everywhere and regretted it, she has now made herself hate it, please be cautious, it's beautiful and it's priced high for a reason, you don't need lots to be noticed. 10/10 a must have in any man's collection, your partner might steal it occasionally but that's a mark of quality surely?

Of the three ouds in the Maison Christian Dior line, Purple Oud is the easiest to wear. It’s certainly not weak and has above average longevity, but it’s not as monsterous as Oud Ispahan and not as skanky as Leather Oud. I’ve yet to figure out why it’s called Purple Oud. There’s nothing “purple” about it apart from the colour of the juice. Nothing about the smell profile seems to naturally conjure up the colour purple. The opening has a prominent orange note (mandarin?) coupled with pink pepper. The orange recedes a little over time but never disappears. As it drifts into the background, the oud takes centre stage. Compared with the oud notes of OI and LO, it‘s cleaner and less piercing; no barnyard or fecal undertones. I also occasionally pick up a vetiver note, very similar to that found in Chanel Sycomore. It’s a very unique scent, at times fresh and clean, at others spicy, smoky and a little dark. I’m happy to have it in my collection and I’m glad to have a Dior oud that I can wear without gassing my office co-workers!

Quite simply...fantastic! I had hugely high, even unrealistic expectations about this one to the point I was preparing to be disappointed and it’s not! Purple Oud is a really impactful scent with a bold, provocative and highly original opening. Purple Oud is a Purple as Prince! It’s fruity, but not sweet and definitely not playing around, it means some serious business and although completely changes when settled, some scents you can feel the basenotes lurking from the very first slightest, waft, like gazing at a distant storm you know a short time from now will be right upon you. I’d say it’s berry like, blackcurrant and hints of dark licorice melt away into a leathery, woody, Oud smell, which is rubbery and with hints of skankiness and minimal touches of smoke. The very deep drydown after about 6 hours is a very low lying, clean woody smell. It’s intoxicating, interesting, even a little strange and challenging at times but Demachy has created something I think deserves a great amount of merit.

Using it in a tropical climate, I don’t get oud at all in the opening of Purple Oud. It’s a burst of pepper, loads of vetiver and a touch of citrus in the beginning then dries down to more woody scent similar to Encre Noir. Perhaps there are just traces of very mild oud that come through very late in the dry down. Lingers as a skin scent for some time but definitely not a beast mode fragrance. Very subtle in fact, but extremely elegant. It is the smell of quiet luxury. Complex yet unimposing. Prestigious yet understated. People won’t immediately notice when you walk into a room wearing it, like they would if you had on LV’s Ombre Nomade or Chanel’s Coromandel, but close enough to you, the Purple Oud on you will tell them you are from among the discerning and higher class. 8/10 overall only because I prefer stronger scents on me. For those who prefer milder fragrances that float closer to the skin, this might be a perfect 10/10.