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.

This will always remind my trip to Osaka.. my friend told me that i was not smelling to perfume which i do every minute of the day haha.. So we went into a shop but uninspired cuz we smelled so much.. then saw this purple oud .. I thought you know what lets just spray and see.. Whoow it opened amazing! Oud wood kinda like the first minutes then immediately a fresh orange dropping on a bed of OUD! Slowly the saffron accord is also joining and making it warm air and tiny spiced.. but it stays somehow airy animalic kinda oud. Very good blended. The drydown is a very classic and familiar oud saffron combo. But thats fine.. the blending is absolutely quality and the performance was very good in tjat weather. 22 degree with wind... back in Europe bought a fb. 8/10 just because its a bit familiar in the drydown but still an amazing blend!

I love the scent, very “purple.” It’s also not real oud, but that’s almost to be expected with designer fragrances. If you want real oud go to the super niche houses like Ensar, Bortnikoff, and a few Arabian houses like Ajmal. If you’re looking for amazing longevity, this ain’t it. You’d literally have to spray 15-20 times for it to kind of still be there 5-6 hours later, and it’s only faint. So it’s a personal scent. Would do well indoors. It’s an intimate scent. People are going to have to come very close to you to smell it. I am in love with it, and would personally buy it again (on the grey market). Its just a bit of shame it’s not long lasting, but that’s only one aspect of a fragrance. For me, scent only is 9/10.

It’s a beautiful fresh oud, a very clean fragrance and with character you can feel some animalic notes very (very) far but it gives the strength to the whole perfume. The opening is spicy but fresh and the dry down is pure woody and clean oud, I don’t know who to explained it but it smells expensive in a good way. The longevity it’s fine but maybe not what you can expect for something that includes “oud” in its name, the silage is more in the personal side, not a skin fragrance but you can feel that is a very sensual smell and the people who want to smell it will have to get close to you. It’s a good way to discover the oud world but maybe not the best. And the price is perfect for the luxurious aroma you will find.

UPDATE- I can't stress this enough... YOU MUST WEAR THESE FRAGRANCES IN THE ELEMENTS THEY'RE MEANT FOR!!! If u look at my review below, I said this was a scrubber and that the oud was too raw- I wore this today in 50 degree weather which is cold in Houston, Texas and this blend is so damn amazing! Demachy is the true goat! Once that oud settles, the orange & saffron start dancing with each other on top of the oud to create this wonderful harmony on your skin! Now I can't stop sniffing my arm.... before I was just sitting in my room when I declared this a scrubber... THIS IS AMAZING!!!

The dry down on my skin is what makes me prefer this over Oud Ispahan. It's more gentle & feminine during the dry down (I'd like to emphasise again, on my skin). A sheer balance between peppery & floral notes- complimenting the oud. As it dries down the oud is there but really tame, but still there. Love it! It's still an oud-prominent fragrance and maybe not a safe blind buy for those who are not used to oud (but really worth the try!) Longevity & silage is slightly weaker than Oud Ispahan though. But it still lasts all day without re-applying!

This is a the freshest most moreish oud I've ever smelled. The citrus and pepper brightens the opening, the oud is not heavy, this is a perfectly blended fragrance. Fragrance has great sillage, I've tried many great fragrances and this one, as someone else put it, 'makes me sad to be poor' - run don't walk - to a higher paying job. I would say this definetly leans more to male side of unisex. Worth adding to any oud lovers collection. This ones price point is justified!!

Stunning fragrance been wearing this now for a good few months and it just gets better and better, only slight negative is its not as long lasting or the projection of oud ispahan but I slightly enjoy this more than oud ispahan. Top 10 fragrance for me love it. Update. After wearing this for almost a year now, this is true beast mode and probably actually slightly stronger that the old formula Oud Ispahan

I don't understand when people start comparing something so pretty to cleaning items and old book shelves. This is one of the prettiest scents to wear. Very versatile. I picked it up at Dubai duty free upon just half a sniff. The lady barely sprayed it on my hand and boy was I happy ! Stunning airy and fresh saffron orange based scent. Very very sophisticated and clean. Absolutely worth the money IMHO

I was thrilled to discover Purple Oud - such a luxury, sophisticated scent that smells like money to me! I had to order a bottle asap after sampling it. I was also glad to see another reviewer here compare it to LV Orage. I thought the very same things and was surprised I hadn't seen that comparison elsewhere. I absolutely LOVE Orage but hated the performance - so this is a big win for me.

One of the best smelling fragrances ive come across period. It starts citrusy with spices just waiting to show their dance, it slowly takes the citrusy notes and turns itself into spicy with a tad bit of sweet tobacco with a hint of leather, the vetiver lingers on for a long time but it dries down to a simple yet delicious oud not like the western overtone oud but a profound touch of it.

This is really a great release from Dior. A saffrony/spicy oud that keeps some freshness from top to base (the secret from Demachy). Quite unique. I agree with the previous reviewer, and despite I don't like to be mean, I have to seriously suggest anyone finding some remote similarity with Encre Noire to take an appointment with an otolaryngologist. Fall/Spring evenings, 25+

To my nose this smells like an 80s men's fragrance. As it dries down it has a sort of cigarette-infused car interior vibe. I can imagine an estate agent from Swindon smelling like this in the early 90s. It does smell like it has vetiver in it, but it doesn't smell anything like Encre Noir (or GGA for that matter). I get nothing remotely oudy from this at all.

Purple Oud is a Linear woody fragrance that wears relatively close to the skin. The longevity is outstanding and is 100% work safe. This is not the Ispahan and leather monster I am accustomed to. Purple Oud is a very nice toned down version of the two with no rose or leather but just a woody aspect that I am quite fond of, and have added to my collection.

dior always uses oud and amber to an extent just to give a perfume a kinda luxury scent. this smells so elegant utilising oud in a western european way nothing to do with how it is used in the arabic and eastern perfumery main notes, mandarin, oud, vetiver, i get citrus sometimes. it’s a complex fragrance. i will get another one when it’s over

The smell is really bossy and strong. For my taste a little bit heavier on the opening but I really like the citrus note, that sort of balance out the smokiness and leather. It’s truly long lasting on my skin, but it dries down to pure vetiver. My overall experience was really unique and I can’t stop thinking about this smell.