Oud Safran

When I see a new brand from Paris (allegedly) with OUD so proudly displayed on the label and a certain feel to bottle and packaging...I sigh a massive sigh and jog it on. However, I’m glad I sniffed this, I got a carded sample of this and actually read the perfumers notes and upon first sniff I was enamoured. Truly. I love saffron, Oud (real or a fantasy accord whatever) and Rose of course, but how are they going to be combined here to give us an experience we’ve never had? It’s a tough ask for Emilie Bouge, but she’s only gone and bloody done it! I’ve only tried it briefly but it has that specialty of pleasant, spicy top, deep but still transparent, controlled dirtiness. It’s very good from what I can tell. Safran Oud is a balanced, but quite raw and animalic, castoreum driven, saffron leather, which smells quite animal, and is likely the Oud material, which smells pretty damn real to me. It’s got shades of Leather Oud by Dior, softened saffron Rose perfumes, and legit ouds. UPDATE: Okay so wearing this is definitely an interesting one. It's a woody animalic sensation reminiscent of animalis base, carefully toned down by honied notes, big twang of saffron and spiced sweet almost gourmand resin. So this effect gives the feeling of Antaeus or Kouros for a moment but this is not even in the same league in terms of complexity. It's very, very good though.

A rather posh and straightforward animalic oud. A bit like Oud Ispahan, but toned down and more wearable. Which, to me, defeats the purpose - Oud Ispahan is an astonishing slap to the face, bold and unapologetic. You can dress up your civet in a suit, invest in its trust fund and buy it Balenciaga sneakers but it’s still just a pissy little cat. They’re both pretty unwearable for me IRL, but I’d like to have some Oud Ispahan just to sniff it occasionally (when no one is looking). Bois Oud Safran isn’t scandalous or shamefully dirty, it’s just ... cute. Like your wealthy old aunt inspired by Fifty Shades to write her own “erotica”.

Between the opening oud and the saffron dry-down there is an attractive green phase tinged with rose. It has a slightly 1970s style and is very elegant and wearable. Certainly unisex.

I don't understand why it's called Bois Oud Safran when there's no oud listed in the notes? Still, I think it smells really nice. Not sure if I'd buy a full bottle but I'm enjoying the sample I have so far.