Oud Vendome

I recently purchased the personalised version of this (infused with iris) on a visit to Harrods' Salon de Parfums. All I can say is wow! I don't especially love Oud Vendome on it's own (just a run of the mill, nicely refined oud fragrance) but with the welcome addition of the iris note, a tremendous amount of the otherwise rarely smelt notes come to the fore, with the oud melting into the background. I was initially disappointed that, on dry down, the iris seemed to disappear. Not the case I am glad to report. Opens with wonderful iris and saffron only to be taken over by a truly exquisite cedar note as it starts to dry down. Throw a very fine and subtly blended musk into the mix and you have a real winner in my opinion. The oud is subtle, refined and not at all barnyard which means that I am even able to wear this to the office. The musk, as previously mentioned, is a truly classy musk, very subtle and suitable for all occasions. As I mentioned, on the first couple of applications, I was initially disappointed that the iris seemed to be taken over during the dry down but it's a real stayer. Keep getting the most delectable whiffs during the day even as much as 10hrs in. I normally struggle with a lot of non beast mode fragrances' performance on my skin but this stuff is the real deal and I have been getting compliments. Also really love Fleur Narcotique from this house. This was my first experience with this house and I can say that while massively overpriced, compared to some of the near joke level performance of some fragrances I have (By Kilian especially) this stuff is the real deal. It's overpriced like I say, but this is the first time I have spent that sort of money on a fragrance and had absolutely no complaints. Great longevity and projection with lovely, soft sillage that oozes class. A truly great fragrance (iris personalisation only, ambivalent about normal oud vendome tbh) and I will surely be back for more from this house. This is a staple for me and can mix it with the very best in my collection. In summary, if money is no object and you are looking for a new fragrance to use in very select situations, I can strongly recommend the iris infused Oud Vendome.

i have a tiny sample vial of this. upon first spray to both wrist i said out loud "well hell i don't like this at all why did i spray so much !". that initial blast almost had a natural gas weirdness to my nose -- you know, that sour odor added to natural gas to warn people of a leak ? but within mere minutes, not long at all, that faded completely and i had a very quick about face. i ADORE oud vendome !!!!! for me it is primarily an incense and musk pas de deux, but i don't get the typical stank oud and musk *can* provide, but rather a non-sugary sweetness that brilliantly melts into the skin. galbanum is also one of my very favorite notes, keeping things just a bit green, and the saffron and ginger offer a bit of spicy effervescents atop the dense oud/musk/incense. i love it when my skeptical first impressions are wrong and i fall in love.

The opening ....ah ....the opening is superb. Reminds me of cough mixture from my childhood, so delicious smelling, it warranted licking every last drop from the spoonful. Sadly, as the scent develops , a very prominent powdery effect seems to permeate everything for the next several hours. Now, to test this Oud scent in winter days or nights might go some way to contain the aforementioned powdery aspect. Not a warm weather scent as such & could become very cloying in the heat. Not the skanky fecal matter type oud similar to some niche houses. Definitely animalistic with unsweetened musk prominent in the drydown. Impressive more for personal wear, some might it offputting or offensive to some noses. Difficult to pull off for guys, although more mature females might really enjoy this fragrance.

Now this is sharp saffron with european style oud sweetened by the same saffron with a tiny bit of vanilla maybe or chocolate i presume. It's not new, and it's not unique, it is an essence I've smelled plenty of times, but i can't deny it did captivated me somehow as i smell some animalic notes that is presented by the saffron. Edit (13 July 2026) 10 years later... This is a light spicy white floral bouquet... Saffron, musk, and white floral (bits of tuberose, narcissus, galbanum, lilies). This is beautiful indeed specially when it cools down.

This is a sweeter kind of scent but not any typical sweetness that the "designers" have. This is mixed with something that smells woody. Oud? I have some oud smells too but this one is certainly very different. Oud is possibly there but not prominent as in other scents. Does oud have to be prominent? Probably not. Still many people expect that -- in this case rightly so because it's in the name. So this scent is only slightly flavoured with oud. My juice is rouge-reddish-brown, very different from the photo here.