Petroleum

Petroleum is pretty bizarre indeed being entirely built and conceived on juxtapositions. Resinous and intense but at the same time sort of fresh and "ozonic", deep and obscure but surrounded by aldehydic notes, dark and animalic yet "clear" and somehow light. All the elements are handled in an almost "unseen" way. The oud/rose combo is nowhere similimar or somehow close to any of the previous interpretations of the accord, It's amphasized in its woody freshness avoiding the burnt-sugar and medicinal effect. Rose is detectable but masterfully blended with the rest. Deepness is provided by a consistent dose of resinous notes while civet juxtaposed to aldehydes and ozonic hints gives birth to a destabilizing and pleasantly dissonant accord during the musky/ambery drydown. The base. This is the real point of strength of Petroleum. Petroleum is not just wearable, is extremely wearable and a true standout. The fragrance has a nice projection but it never become overwhelming or claustrophobic. It has a remarkable presence but, fortunately, is not overpowering as I expected. Lately I've noticed a mineral quality to it that adds even more complexity. Surely a winner for me and among the best releases of the year but I believe this is going to be a polarizing fragrance because of its ozonic undertones which, together with aldehydes, create a bizarre juxtaposition with the rest. Paradoxically there's no challenging power coming from the supposed petrol note (which is definitely more mineral/natural smelling than the gasoline-like accord of, let's say, Fahrenheit, Nostalgia or even Knize Ten). The ozonic aspect, instead, adds a slightly weird and destabilizing nuance that may result off-putting to someone. IMO it perfectly blends with the rest adding a compelling, sort of off-centre, aspect. Overall Petroleum has a very distinctive character and, just like many of the HDP compositions, it perfectly achieves an incredible balance between traditional perfumery and modernity. Full bodied but somehow weightless. Rating: 8.5/10

I think the note lineup sums this one up pretty well. And in order too! So to me, this is one of those deals where the scent trail is fantastic - but don't go sticking your nose right up to your arm! That's when the musk and aldehydes attack. If I were female and I purchased this due to its "unisex" label, id be one pissed off lady! In my opinion, I would feel very awkward about this being worn on a woman - but that's just my opinion. At any rate - it kind of reminds me of a smell you'd encounter before having surgery - something that is memorable and not for the faint of heart. I'm going to give this a few tries before giving my final thoughts (I know you guys are so disappointed :) - however, I can say for certain that it's far from love at first sniff for me. And just while I'm still here thinking about things - and this isn't going to make sense - think about the smell of cloves. There's something in this similar to that - very polarizing. Ok second edit... Promise I'm done after this. To me, this is a more intense version of musc ravageur - but instead of cloves, aldehydes. Make sense? No? Good. Me either. Final decision! I've had some time to feel this one out. At first spray I thought, "what in the hell have I done?" Now I'm thinking -"you're the man bro. Keep making good decisions." I definitely feel the petroleum vibe here. It has a mechanic shop type dirtiness to it - with some vanilla thrown in. I can see this as being a sexy scent given the appropriate environment. It had the potency of interlude man and musc ravageur, but a vastly different scent from both. I don't think this is a smell that someone would feel indifferent about - one side or the other. Choose the right side! Great addition to my collection. 7/10

This is one of the strangest and most nostalgic things I've ever smelled in my entire life. It actually makes me quite emotional. My fathers dirty toolbox, his worn in newly washed working clothes that still smell of oil, leather, burnt tires and sweet salty sea air. The scent remind me so much of my father. I remember riding at the back of his working bike through the culverts of the hospital in the town where I grew up. I was about six years old back then. He worked at the hospital keeping big machines running, the only thing I really saw from his job was when he took an hour off to follow me to the dentist. And he smelled clean but strongly of oil and zingy metal. When he got off work he spent a lot of time fixing cars and street racing, that's my second big connection to this perfume. The leather smells just like the sunken in car seats with four point seat belts, and it's combined with a soft burnt rubber scent, almost sweet. All of these cold, dirty, harsh notes are combined with warming skin like notes which balances it all up, but also something incredibly ozonic and aldehydic, especially at the opening. If I didn't know better I would almost call it "cucumber-y" or "melon-y". Just a huge blast of aquatic, sweet, sharp cleanliness which I really don't like, but it excites me so much that I can't help smelling it over and over again. It makes the scent completely transparent. So so so strange.

And just like that, I found my favorite scent in the HdP line. I like just about everything about this. It's certainly strange but devilishly addicting. Theres a bit of pissy civet, but the opening is mostly an incredibly convincing gasoline accord with all the unpleasant aspects removed and replaced by wearable and accessible "perfumey" notes. The result is a fascinating contrast between the classic smoothness of the amber and patchouli with the scintillatingly terpenic qualities of the oud/leather/borderline-ozonic fumes overhead. Pretty striking and modern from a line that has smelled a bit more "classic" to me (ambre 114, 1740). As it dries down it gets much more traditional with the patchouli and amber taking dominance with a bit of leathery, oudy nuance but theres still a nice weird little hint of civet floating around keeping it interesting. It's all very smooth and soft on the nose despite the strangeness and I think that's why it is such a success. It doesn't smell cacophonous or sloppy in the slightest; Ghislain is incredibly skilled. 9/10

The Civetta accord comes across as almost bready and edible, not sure how to describe it. Might be the patchouli and the leathery musk combo, so in harmony as to propose something dark, almost petrol like but with a classy vibe never in your face like in the case of Dior Fahrenheit. It's more resinous than oud smelling so to speak. I am not sure, the oud is front and center for a short time in the beginning but it settles down into a mellow leathery smoky accord. Reminds me of Ursa from Tiziana Terenzi but with lighter accords of lesser patchouli and more ethereal tones. All in all a mighty naughty perfume, I'm sure before IFRA restrictions this must've been the real deal. Btw - where the heck are the aldehydes? lol

Pardon my bawdiness, but this fragrance is simply the most arousing smell I've ever experienced. I've never been so turned-on by a fragrance in my entire life....Afraid of purchasing such a heftily priced bottle, I opted for a tiny tester from LuckyScent...and one smear across my arm from a cue-tip completely wrapped my in warmth, manliness, and spice. I definitely smell a petroleum-type note from this, and it makes me think of worn out leather gloves, sawdust, and gasoline...but in the sexiest way possible. This scent is so warm and enveloping, strong without being deadly, and absolutely beautifully crafted. I can't wait until I have a good enough paycheck to afford the plunge of buying this masterpiece.

Petroleum is a very well made fragrance with complicated notes combination. It opened quite sharp, very warm and dry to my nose with distinctive scent of Oud and petroleum. As the fragrance got a bit warmer on my skin, it smelled sort of metallic mixed with petroleum and a soft leathery, ambery, resinous and earthy background. The scent became quite animalic as it developed further on my skin till the drydown. A faint floral note started to appear then intertwining with musky, bodily, warm and slightly aquatic notes and the scent remained the same to the very drydown until it became a soft skin scent. Petroleum has average sillage on my cooler than average skin and lasts for over 10 hours.

A great oud fragrance. Opens with a classical oud/rose combo (oud-forward and quite strong), supported by aldehydes (giving overall the "oily" feeling). Shortly after, it settles down to a leathery/animalic patchouli. In the drydown, it becomes a skin scent, with a classic vanillic amber. A hit in this Rare Collection. Given my tastes for bold and creative fragrances, my preference goes to Ambrarem, but still, this one is a close runner-up. Fall/Winter evenings, 30+ Edit: I may opt for Petroleum after all...

stunnuing perfume, its written on the pack that its composed of rose, oud and amber. you may think that this combo is very heavy according to the notes but actually its the contrary. its delightful and very sensual, also very odd but in an excellent way. oud is very light and not too sweet,very long lasting (on my perfume consuming skin). excellent.

Petroleum's accord of oil, soil, wood and fur is both intoxicating and wrong. It is its wrongness that makes it one of my favourites in the excellent HdP line. The stuff is raw, gassy, earthy, smelly, and wonderfully wearable, and I love it. *****

Lovers of traditional French perfume is not approaching this masterpiece they will not like This is a wonderful and very distinctive perfume Rating: 9/10

i have 3 words for histoires petroleum: yaba daba doooooo! 9/10

A quite musky, slighly animalic leather scent. The rose and oud are quite toned down, so it never really gets too loud. I own a bottle of Ambrarem and bought a sample of this, thinking that it would be more harsh. However, I think that this is actually more wearable in comparison. I would even call it gentle and soothing. Think of Tom Ford's Oud Wood, but a more animalic version of it that also has patchouli and a slight soapiness due to the rose and aldehydes. It's really well blended and you can pick up all of the notes included. It does pass along the scent of petroleum but at the same time it's just sweet enough (thanks to the rose) to not smell too industrial. I now wish I actually went with a full bottle of this instead of Ambrarem. Oh well, that's the risks you have to take when blind buying.

Initially tried out in their flagship store, and among their others found it a bit weird and addictive even though I knew I 'liked' a few others moreso. Trying to test it blind among others from the house was pointless and recognized it's animalistic oily oud weirdness immediately. The title is fitting, and growing up in a garage with the constant air of gas, oil, parts cleaner, etc. I can only wish it had a more mature sense as this does. Maybe I like it because of this nostalgic element, but who cares. Looking at the notes, the animalistic quality is the immediately in your face followed swiftly by the oudy mineral quality that gives the scent it's name. Definitely one to try before you buy, unless it's gothic industrial night and your wearing more metal than black lace.

Quite unique, however I don't smell anything dirty or petroleum at all. The opening is sharp, definite oud, but a soft oud. The dry down is a warm powdery aquatic. There's a presence of something ozonic and floral and a dark musky spice. This is what I don't get - the animalic. This is a tame fragrance that has some feminine characteristics. Actually, it's reminiscent of Chanel Chance. I know, sounds nuts, but it does. For the price, the silage is disappointing. Overall, I'd say this is interesting, in a good way. Trendy, young, unisex (more on the feminine side). Definitely not a blind purchase. Get a sample first.

This is easily the most wild scent from the house of HDP. It smells like raw crude oil, not the processed and clean stuff you put in your car. I'll try to paint the picture. Imagine motor oil and grease. Now add horse manure, stinky cheese, and dirt. It's really unique, but it stinks to high hell to the average person. Borderline unwearable, and only for daring niche connoisseurs. If you like things along the lines of Dusita Oudh Infini which is a civet bomb, or perhaps Dior Leather Oud, you'll appreciate it. ×××××××××××××××××××××× Scent 70/100 (challenging) Performance 70/100 ××××××××××××××××××××××

What i like about Histoire de Parfums is there uniqueness. No one does what they do. Thumb up for that. Is it wearable, or sexy i am not sure. But for sure it is an olfactive experience and Petroleum is 100% in that spirit. What i get is something that smell like a vaseline that would have been made for the aristocrats and could have been named Vaseline no.9. Another thumb up for the experience. A must try.

Perfumes like Petroleum are lovable because they remind us of people. They remind us of candid moments in our lives, of ourselves as people who do, who act, and not, as many conventionally pretty perfumes do, of ourselves on our best behavior, all dolled up and prepared to meet the faces that we meet. And yes, it smells just like gasoline.

A quite refined animalic amber on my skin - the petrol scent from oud is not overpowering, but definitely present. Not as lovely as ambrarem, but definitely in the same vein - probably easier to find in the states as well. Together all of the notes create a sort of 'russian leather' accord - dark and tea-like. 8/10.

8)Wha, It's very original, a combination of mineral smell, saline (water) with the balmy sweetness of an animalic oud and spicy rose. The best one of the trilogy It's possible to find a similar perfum almost and from the same perfumer for half of the price: Dubai , Scent of Departure (less oud more rose)

To me this smells very close to Olympia Music Hall, but is more screechy. I find this one a bit annoying whereas OMH is a masterpiece. It just goes to show how a couple of small tweaks can make a world of difference.

I had contemplated purchasing Petroleum for years after owning Ambrarem and Rosam, and hugely appreciating both. I ended up taking the plunge with a blind buy direct from HdP's website, and am disappointed both in the fragrance and in myself for being so silly. None of the many reviews I read gave me any idea of what to expect, and even after receiving it I am not sure what to make of it. Petroleum is indeed a difficult fragrance to wear, and I find it both pungent and cloyingly warm and thick. In fact, on my skin it genuinely opens like Jaffa Cakes; sweet baked goods topped with orange jelly and dipped in dark chocolate, which I was not expecting at all. This could come from the bergamot and orange top notes merging with the musk and patchouli in the base. After around 20 minutes or so, the Jaffa Cake gives way to an almost piercing ammonia smell that makes me think of chlorine or a dirty litter tray, before finally drying down to a deep and velvety, extremely animalic amber. It, at times, reminds me of that sickeningly sweet smell of a compost heap. Thierry Mugler's Angel + Swimming Pool + Heavily Decaying Compost Heap. I cannot say that I would ever feel comfortable wearing Petroleum in public because I find it suffocating, and I am someone who otherwise relishes in strong, overpowering scents. I will never get through my 60ml bottle but I shall always keep it for reference when I want to smell a modern day perfume made with civet absolute.

An interesting experiment. Let's make a perfume out of petroleum. Using leather, oud and civetta! The leather accord is similar to 1740, the oud bends the petroleum towards weirdland, and the civetta makes the oil animalic. The rest just sweetens and smoothes things out, fills out the gaps and gives the fragrance a top and a bottom. I know experienced perfumistas will appreciate the effort. They will walk around thinking "I'm special". The problem here may be that the majority, having totally untrained noses and being used to Acqua di Gio, will think "Ouch. That car mechanic just rode a horse, but forgot to shower". An experimental perfume this, not exactly meant for dates, worktime, cafetime, dinnertime, night out-time, leisuretime, comforttime, summertime, holidaytime, storytime, freshtime... But what then, is it meant for? Beats me. 7/10

This is Chanel 22 with a drop of sweet & dirty oud in the opening; however it lacks the complexity and natural feeling the original has in the dry down. I'll asume some materials are missing or in much lower concentrations (sandalwood, ylang, rose), but the main construction of the fragrance (the aldehydes and musks used in particular) very much reminds me of the Chanel. I'd suggest you stick to that one if you have the budget.

As soon as I put it on my skin it smelled and that wasn't a good for testing because it pollutes my nose. Strong hint of leather and something sharp like bergamot, but not quite that citrus'. As it mellowed a while, an hour or so, I started to smell the Oud and Amber, but it remained so powdery to me. Honestly it smells like teenage girls at the shopping mall and baby wipes. Not for me... I hope someone enjoys this!

Tested yesterday when i was sure to buy it! But...NOTHING!!! No surprise, no impact, not the stunning fragrance i thought. And, overall, no longevity or sillage; afther an hour it completely disappeared! :-( I bought Ambrarem :-) :-) :-) It was about half past seven p.m. and it is still on me. And i had a shower!!!

Has this been reformulated? I remember smelling it in 2013 and I got the rose a lot more, there was even that motor oil scent which was more pronounced (courtsey of the OUD) but the one I just got from HDP site smells more resinous and smokey, even moldy smelling and harsh to the nose.

Good opening that rapidly fades. Low projection and I have smelled better in this category. This is not unique in this category as well. Received as a free sample and not bottle worthy to me.

This reminds me the sent of Asian temple. Oud perfumes always has that, but this is too much. Not acceptable for me as an Asian guy.

I must have bought this perfume around 2011. I made a comparison with the two other contestors Rosam and Ambrarem but what I liked was the combination of the Rose, Civet & Oud. in the back of my head sat always the notion of 'Petroleum' but I guessed that was just the depth of the earth out of which Sturdy Roses were displaced (shall we say) with Thorns in Skin, out of which the Agar Resin was 'harvested' making an antigen into a Fragrant, Infringueing Resin which can go all directions. and the earth on which' surface the civetcat dwelled, Pissing her Territory and Eating unripe coffee beans which in its excrements (from the civet cat) an enzymed coffee was won: Kopi Lawak. very expensive, very 'set your thoughts on zero', and all this taken in consideration made up for a veined and to be delved Petroleum Raw Material. deeply ashy, burnt and peety smelling Absolute Black. this morning when I sprayed the perfume again at once came the very refined scent to which all the ingredients were composed unto. the Oud, Rose & Civet reached my aroma receptors easily and firstly. the Amber, Leather & Patchouli serve as eversomuch anchors for the Petroleum. to smell for me. with the Aldehydes, Bergamot and White Musk I have to search, almost Analyse. but I am no Rationalistic Perfume Connaisseur. so I did remember the perfume this morning immediately, was shaken awake by its refinedness, which, I guess, are also the work of Aldehydes. the Bergamot is such beautiful piece of fruit, all frozen yellow-green with loads of ripples. in 'real life' I definitely smell citruses. but in perfumes all citruses fall away. with exceptions. Versaces Eros Pour Femme EDP almost inject the Lemon and Lemon Blossom perpetuously and vilely in my nose. I have the feeling women smell fruits with much more accuracy and sooner than men do. that this perfume has a floaty, zinging, plinking, somewhat demure roundness can be caused by the White Musks. whatever the case: this is a beautiful perfume and I am glad my 50mL Bottle is still so full.

One of the most creative uses of oud as a main note - along with Ambrarem. Why is it so rare with oud fragrances to employ notes outside of the 1001 Nights box? Most ouds just end up as something Montale did before it was cool, only with variations in quality. So, aldehydes, something so non-"Eastern" to start with. Gives Petroleum the freshness of fresh petrol. Fresh like the fresh air that you can still smell around such facility. Then, leather. Russian leather and Spanish leather, dirty leather, all kinds of shoe polish and furniture polish, well-worn sofas and tar. All that comes with it in a strictly European tradition. Also, mothballs. Lacquered mothballs, if this makes sense. Still a perfume and still oud. Quite addictive. Check it out if you like leather more than you like oud.

Petroleum by Histoires de Parfums opens with citrus rubber band-aid and then morphs into WWIII as all the petrol fields in the world start smoking at once. WWIII simmers down and to expose that trademark old books and furniture accord that HdP does so well. Now I’m getting a touch of carpet infused with cigarette smoke. The carpet (and maybe the couch) is probably on fire because burning plastic is in there somewhere too. This probably sounds terrible, and to some it probably will be, but there is an elegance to the whole mess that makes it seem, well, wearable. Under all of the madness a dignified, soapy leather is screaming for help. It’s definitely one of the strangest fragrances I’ve ever tried. I’m not going to wear it, but someone should. 4/5

هذا العطر مناسب فقط لمحبي الروائح المتفردة الغريبه نعم هنا العود ضمن المكونات ولكنه ليس العود الذي عهدته ربما وضع كلمسة ابطال هذا العطر هما: مسك السيفيت مما يطعي العطر لمحة لرائحة حيوانية!1 2 الجلد فهذا الثنائي مع اللمسات الخفيفه الاخرى من المكونات شكل رائحة غريبه قريبة لرائحة الجلود الفخمة الباردة مع لمحات من رائحة المسك الزباد القريبة في راحئتها في عطر شاليمار لا ادري لماذا اتذكر رائحة اغلفة البلاستيك الجديدة المحتوية على سيدي المح رائحة لمثل تلك الرائحة اجد العطر مميز وغريب وفخم واعتقد انه افضل عطور الجلود ولكن يفضل استخدامه في الصيف حتى لاتفسد رائحة مسك الزباد ربما قائل قائلا ان ان مسك الزباد والجلد اجتمعت كثيرا في عطور اخرى كلاسكية اقول لك نعم ولكنها هنا غريبه جدا ليس لدي العطر وانما قمت بتجربته اليوم واحببت ان اضع وصف متواضع للعطر

Opens up with a strong civet top note (which is rare as this note usually happens only as a base note). It remains me nothing of vintage civet notes which I abhore but it draws me into a close resemblance of a scent in the zoo - not something I don't enjoy. However, as it dries down, it mellows into a rosy barnyard, and that is in itself it's largest saving grace. not suitable for everyday use. But very much so for appreciating perfume as an art

I was really hoping for a scent that would be exciting,fascinating and exhibit the development of an idea. Ex. Dior Fahrenheit Instead what we have here is, the fragrance of the industrial hand cleaner that sits in my garage. Petroleum based muck that you find in any mechanical shop. A gallon for about 30 bucks CAD. This perfume is for Automotive and Oil Executives that spritz to give everyone the impression that they've been on the shop floor.

-Opens smelling somewhat 'oily'. -Uncannily reminiscent of what a mechanic at a car workshop would smell like. -Dries down to a scent with a tea-like quality to it. Light, resinous, leather. -Its what I imagine "The Mechanic" from St Giles (Nose: Bertrand Duchaufour) would smell like. -This is a scent worth checking out for the novelty. (-)

Naturally the person who loathes Dune and, one assumes, avoids it, and maybe hasn't smelled it in a very long time, is better qualified to judge how much Petroleum resembles it than the person who loves Dune and wears it and owns it and has it handy for original research.

Oh no this is not for me. My very first thought was "road tar"...oddly enough, i ordered a sample of this with my bottle of Comme Des Garcons, which smells like industrial glue / packing tape...although there are some similarities, i find the CDG much more pleasant.

Smelled really nice on paper, like super high quality Biblical-feel ingredients. Wearing though: almost identical to Dune but without the breeziness and light touch. I love Dune but I hated this. More sweetness is exactly the wrong thing to add to Dune.

I remember this being wildly oudy and unexpectedly mellow, and I only have a couple of drops of it left :( It is the Oud Minerale of 10 years before it, and it is way better. If someone is selling this in its original bottle, please contact me.

Simply fantastic. Don't let the petroleum name get in your head and convince you this has some kind of gas smell to it. Try and let it settle in. If you judge iit on the initial application you're missing out on something special. IMHO

Revisiting my samples, chapter ll. Petroleum smells like Allure Homme Sport Oud edition. Orange, tonka and some kind of “barnyard” oud aromachemical.

It is very, very vintage. The civetta is very strong and bitting, absolutely violent. Definetly not for everyday wearing.

Petroleum is NOT discontinued! 80 to 155 Euro for 60ml in Europe. Ambrarem is harder to find but is available too.

This literally stink like a poo. Can't believe this exist and someone tend to like it!