BOSS The Collection Damask Oud

What a gem!!! Testing it in store is not an option, so I blind bought a bottle: one of my 3 best fragrance investments so far! In my opinion, there's more happening here than just the notes listed in the notes pyramid. It opens with a strong gin/vodka note + a light medicinal oud, supported by white pepper. After, it turns into a smoky oud, supported by a subtle bitter neroli and tuberose (these 2 notes are not listed, but I perceive them clearly for a short time). It then morphs into a burnt/rubbery/liquorice/balsamic oud, supported by white flowers and a still noticeable pepper in the background. Then, the oud relaxes (without fully leaving the stage) to leave some space for a strong incense (reminds me of the opening of Lalique Encre Noire à l'Extrême) and guaiac wood, supported by saffron (the drydown mix makes me think of an earthy vetiver). The most trained noses may notice a very subtle rose in the back. There is roughly 3 types of oud notes that can generally be found in fragrances: a medicinal oud, a barnyard/fecal oud or a smoky/burnt/rubbery oud. This fragrance has all 3 expressions of oud in my opinion, but the major type here is the latter. Good projection in the first couple of hours, then it becomes moderate, but still some noticeable whiffs from time to time. Last very long, and still projects at 3-4 inches after 18 hours!! (That's why I graded "heavy" on sillage. If previous formulation did project better than that, it was probably unwearable, so glad about the -supposed- reformulation, if any). While it's not a projection beast, I suggest not to overspray, as this type of burnt oud is not a crowd pleaser. I find it very masculine and I love it, but think well when to pull this one off, as not everybody may share this opinion. As far as I'm concerned, this is a luxury-smelling under the radar masterpiece (because of the poor image that Boss carries), especially at the current price. Some describes this fragrance as linear Good job Boss, you finally understood how things should be. Fall/winter evenings, 30+ Edit: the more I smell it, the more I fall in love. It's heaven, at least for me. The execution is excellent, maybe not exactly top-niche quality like Xerjoff or Roja Dove, but given the current price tag (around $50 for a tester online, instead of the current $140 asked in dept stores, and initially $250...), it's a real steal!! Be warned that it may not be easy to pull out, not a crowd pleaser! Edit 2: exactly identical in the drydown to the opening of Montale Dark Aoud. Should I have to choose? Montale's for the very realistic sandalwood, and Boss's for the multifaceted oud. Overall? If I really had to choose: none of them, but Elie Saab Oud N.4. A more discreet but more luxurious fragrance, with real oud, and twice the amount for the same( current) price!

A very masculine woody aromatic fragrance with hint of spices. This is alpha male fragrance for 30+ age group. I find this quite old fashioned fragrance, this reminds me of my uncle who used such kind of perfumes. In very start I find mandarin orange and saffron, where as woody notes in the background. Oud in this quite animalic or we can say dirty oud not like a clean oud. Rose is quite subtle and not overpowered in it. In dry down woods and incense quite dominant To me this is winter fragrance and very versatile in a sense that you can wear this in formal suiting as well as black leather jacket with jean. Projection and performance is quite good. I would suggest do not over spray it. 2 sprays are quite enough otherwise you will chock people in your surroundings

Damask Oud is a dry, rich and masculine scent. The oud is of good quality, no synthetic smell. And it's dominate (I can't understand why some perfumes names are Intense Oud, Black Oud... and you can't even smell oud or it's very weak). I love the pepper and papyrus who makes this scent dry. And I love how the saffron together with a touch of rose (not the typical oud+rose combo) gives it an oriental shadow. Not complex at all but rich and easy too like.

Un parfum de petite taille pour moi mais de bonne composition, je le trouve bien avec ses notes de Saffron, cèdre et oud surtout, son oud n'est pas comme pour les fragrances, bien au contraire, il est trop fort au début et vire vers la douceur assez vite aussi je crois que c'est son charme aussi pour une sélection privé de boss, je trouve qu'il on pas mal assuré sur ce coup

@moidoh Some ppl says it's similar to 'Indonesian Oud' by Ermenegildo Zegna. But IO is richer. I have not tried IO, but thats what I heard.