Just Oud Boulevard

I finally got my hands on a pre-hype, older release from Lattafa — back when they were crafting their own unique creations rather than simply mimicking other fragrances. This long-lost gem had been sitting on my 'I want' list for ages, but I gave up hope of finding it. I always keep an eye on marketplace sites for great used deals, and the moment this appeared, I purchased it without hesitation. From the very beginning, Just Oud Boulevard Edition is intense. It opens with a striking blend of saffron and spices, resting on a cardamom-vanilla base. There's a subtle hint of brandy or a similar type of alcohol, lending a warm, boozy nuance. At first, it feels like all the notes hit you at once, but as the scent evolves, floral notes emerge more distinctly. Over time, the base develops richer, leathery, oud, and woody qualities, showcasing a noticeable progression in the scent's evolution. Instead of the typical heavy, smoky, and intense oud, the fragrance surprises with an overall experience that has a slightly powdery feel, teetering on the edge of gourmand with hints of coffee or chocolate-like notes, making it quite unusual for a composition involving oud. In the drydown, the fragrance becomes smooth and soft — a stark contrast to its bold opening. This is definitely not a beast-mode fragrance. While its projection is strong at the start, it settles quickly. However, the longevity is above average, ensuring the scent stays with you for hours. Best suited for winter or cooler evenings, this fragrance offers a cozy, comforting embrace. It leans masculine, with its mature and sophisticated profile. The vintage-style bottle is a nice touch, though it's a bit disappointing that the wooden-like element is cheap plastic. True wood would have elevated the packaging to match the fragrance's quality. In some ways, this fragrance reminds me of Raghba. While Raghba leans sweeter, more gourmand, and unisex, Just Oud incorporates more spices and leather-woody-oud notes, making it more masculine by comparison. Simply put, to me, it's like an enhanced, niche sibling of Raghba. At €16, this was an unbelievable steal, though its rarity makes recommending it a bittersweet task. For collectors, it's a real treasure. If you can't find it, exploring similar options might be better. Alternatives like Bentley Intense might offer a comparable experience. A testament to the brand's earlier days when originality defined its creations. It's one of those compositions that show Lattafa used to play in its own league before moving toward a business based on mimicking popular fragrances. Opening note: 8+ Sillage/Projection: 6+ Drydown: 8+ Longevity: 7+ Blend/Composition: 8+ Versatility: 7 Uniqueness: 8 Value for money: unavailable Bottle design/Aesthetics: 7 Overall experience: 8+ Blind-buy rating: 7-

PROBABLY MY BEST LATTAFA (brief review) Just Oud Boulevard offers an incredibly beautiful spicy start (saffron and cardamom) that confuses the nose like a strong tobacco note. The vanilla chords are ambitious and well-spiced, providing a warm, creamy aroma, brightened by a deliciously sweet floral point (lily-of-the-valley). Then the woods start to appear with a smoky, precious tone that slightly diminishes the initial sweetness. The woody chords are a little leathery and smoky. The woody-earthy nargamoth develops on an amber, sweet and creamy vanilla background. Slight swirls of patchouli and cypriol, fresh and earthy, coexist with the floral sweetness. This stage (top and heart) remains for most of the perfume's life. The oud facet, also present, with its characteristic tones, mixes with the other emerging woods. In the dry down, we also have a woody, sweet and resinous leather, with slightly smoky tones, all on a bed of very ethereal and light musk. An oriental mastery to take your hat off to! It's a sweet, resinous, spicy (mimicking tobacco), smoky fragrance with woody and leathery tones. My opinion: It's not a recent fragrance and it has not been released with the cloning fever of 2022 and 2023. Get one flask before it disappears! Music: Carly Simon - "You Are So Vain"

I tested this on an outlet and upon returning home after 30 minutes I put on my right arm Bentley Intense. It is indeed similar. But I understand why some people are downvoting the similarity. This one is more potent. It creates some distortion by its potency. The notes on the Pyramid are off but the accords are good. I will buy it even though I have Bentley intense which I adore by the way.

I blind bought this fragrance because of the saffron/leather accord that I crave so much. Upon testing it, I pick up the s/l thing along with oud which is nice. But there is also a concurrent, dated vibe along for the ride which I assume comes from the patchouli and musk (idk). This fragrance is both modern and old-school; the bottle design being really old-school.

This is a lattafa that's over a decade old now. It's an original creation and I darn good one too. Definitely blind buy worthy and performance is fantastic. Has a pressurized atomizer too. 9/10. I get oud, leather, vanilla and cardamom.