Indonesian Oud Eau de Toilette

In regards to the talk of discontinuation.. while I could be wrong, I believe that what's happening is that all prior incarnations of Essenze fragrances, all of which are EDTs, are being replaced with newly released EDP versions. So technically yes, this specific EDT version that most are familiar with is being discontinued.. but Indonesian Oud will live on as an EDP, though it's yet to be seen how similar the EDP will be. This review is for the EDT, which I was just lucky enough to procure a bottle of at a fantastic price (as beautiful as it is, I'd never pay the full ~$220 MSRP). Gorgeous. There is absolutely, without question, REAL Oud of exceptional quality in this juice & it is immediately apparent. While I do own a good number of Montale Ouds/Aouds, I am not familiar with Aoud Night... but the comparison that most immediately occurs to me is that this reminds me of a more refined, less dirty, & much more wearable sibling of Oud Ispahan (which I am also very fond of). However, there is also immediately something completely unique about this scent that sets it apart from all the other dozens of Oud-Rose combos, which I presume is the interplay of the bergamot, patch, & amber joining the deliciously juicy rose (& this rose IS sooo juicy, I f*ckin love it). The result is kind of waxy, spicy but not at all in a conventional sense, & wet... very hard to put in to words but it is absolutely unique. As it dries down, the rose never entirely disappears, but the oud certainly becomes more pronounced accompanied by a very sensual amber. Sillage is definitely good & the longevity is fantastic, eventually becoming a strong, warm skin scent that lasts all night & is still there to kiss your senses in the morning. I can only hope that the new EDP retains all of these qualities, as I honestly don't feel that there's anything here that really needs to be improved. This stuff is classy AF & but I feel will also fit any stylish individual for any occasion and every season, & will seduce anyone in it's vicinity... & only gets better the closer they get to your skin. I am very, very impressed; this one gets quite high marks from me. As I said, I can't speak to the EDP.. but if you can find a bottle of the EDT & this sounds like your kind of jam.. don't hesitate. P.S. As for the alleged Aoud Night similarities.. as I said I haven't smelled it, but as someone who loves his Montales & is very familiar with the way they do their oud/aoud... I just can't imagine it being nearly this smooth & refined (which is not at all a bad thing, just is what it is & now I'm very curious to smell AN as well). Much Love, Wood Pipes

I know it is a men's fragrance but I fall in love with it since I first smelled it today. It is again the rose and oud combination which is so popular these years but I never get bored with it because there are always eminent perfumists who are so clever and talented that they can create a thousand different formalae even with the same combination. Oud is the most prominent note as its name suggests while rose being the second, creating a deep, dark, fancy illusion that hypnotized you to kill your own self. Furthermore, amber enhances its cleaness and patchouli gives it a cold vibe, preventing it from too cloying and treacly. I would say the scent is ostentatious whilst at the same time provocative and voluptuous. It is like casting a spell on others, causing them to fall for you like moth flying to the fire. You know it is dangerous but you can't help but leaping into the fire and burn yourself to death for that deadly beautiful though indifferent person. Your ration tells you to stay away from him/her albeit your body act against your will. It is poison handed to you by Satan leading to hell. It is the emblem of Lucifer. It is sin. I can see some similarities between Indonesian Oud by Ermenegildo Zegna and Penhaligon's the Uncompromising Sohan in the Portraits Collection. Both of their main notes are oud and they both have the characteristic of tempting you to smell it over and over until you fall in love and cannot endure without it, just like opium. All of us are addicts.

Beautiful oud fragrance. Beautifully blended. This is a smooth barnyard style oud, tamed by the rose. Much safer than the recent "Strength" of their new line. But horribly priced. That said, given the quality and good projection, it's worth it (unlike some $15 bottle that may have good scent but miserable projection... cf Ferrari and Varvatos...) Zegna's Chicago store confirmed that this one, like the 4 other frags from the Essenze line that are still in store, will share the stage with the 5 fragrances of the new "Elements of Man" line until Spring 2019, and will then be discontinued. Great perfume, Fall/Winter evenings, 30+ Edit: this is similar to Guerlain Santal Royal. That said SR has rose forward with an educated oud in the background, while Zegna IO has a clear barnyard-ish oud note in front of the rose. SR is safer to pull-out for oud beginners (and crowds around them). If money is not an issue, I'd suggest Zegna IO everyday, because of the niche quality. Otherwise, Guerlain SR is a great crowd-pleasing compromise, especially given its current pricing at online discounters. Edit2: I tested the Indonesian Oud EDP, that has replaced the EDT. No differences to my nose, just a little stronger in the opening, and probably lasts even longer (was there a need?)

I have EDT and EDP, EDP is my signature for quite some time. The main difference is EDP is more smoky and a little more long lasting. I am getting 10-12 hours with 5 sprays. The base is better then EDT, at first application EDT is more airy and rosy. But in overall EDP is fuller and more masculine. Regarding the scent, at initial application bergamot give a slight sour touch and there is a spicy note (I can’t name it) gives a feeling of depth. And in 2 hours time the rosy oud is dominating the scent and sits on your skin for 5-6 hours. At final stage I am feeling very little sweet Smoky patchouli and it vanishes from your skin like that. The total duration on me was at least 10 hours. I can’t say it is a projection monster it site in your skin for long time but silent. That’s what I prefer on perfumes. I didn’t get any compliments but we speak frankly I wear my perfumes for myself not for the others. In conclusion I can see this parfum thicker a little more long-lasting less rosy more oudy masculine fragrance. I may suggest this perfume to whom once elegance in silent manner and wears perfume only for himself. 10/10

Finally, here it is, a replacement for Tom Ford Noir de Noir. For less money you get an even better scent, AND twice the amount. This is great. I'll keep this review sweet and short. Indonesian Oud opens with a strong medicinal oud that settles within a minute or two to give way to a sultry and very dark rose. There's very little musk in this one unlike NdN, and it's not smoky. If you look for incense or myrrh in your rose oud this will not be your cuppa tea. During the dry down the rose gets sweeter on a fainter wood base, and the result is a magical, very slightly jammy rose that spells luxury. edit: Good longevity, EVEN BETTER projection-- my brother smelled me from another room after I did 2 sprits in the bedroom (my "moderate projection" statement was obviously faulty). P.s. I think Dior Ispahan Oud is a bit dirtier than this one on the wood, but the rose note is the same as that in Zegna. Great quality. P.p.s I wonder what would happen if you layer this with Javanese Patchouli... probably an animal on a whole different level ... ;)