Oud Mood

Oud Mood offers an intriguing take on a gourmand oud with oriental depth and allure. It opens with saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg, but these do not sting the nose like powdered spices might. Instead, the composition is dense and creamy, almost buttery right from the start. Despite some claims of rubbery notes, I found no trace of such an accord here. Instead, what I experienced was a more refined and balanced introduction. Equally absent was the strong presence of rose or any alcoholic sharpness that some might detect. What others may perceive as an alcoholic rose is, to me, the saffron melding with the animalistic oud — an interaction that may be challenging for some to fully grasp. As the scent develops, it shifts into a slightly incense-like wood. A smoky, leather-like oud emerges from beneath the spices. The drydown is vanilla-laden, and reminiscent of roasted caramel. There is no candy-like sweetness here; instead, it evokes a thick pudding or a dense syrup. With every passing moment, it becomes more gourmand, like caramel ice cream drizzled with burnt sugar and sprinkled with pralines. The complexity of this fragrance is remarkable, almost like several perfumes in one. It evolves continuously, each layer adding more depth to the experience. The projection is strong, and the longevity is outstanding, ensuring the scent lingers for hours. This is a unisex fragrance but leans more towards the feminine side, especially with its sweet, caramelized undertones, and it is better suited for colder weather. I was fortunate enough to purchase this fragrance for just €12, but I believe many would be willing to pay 5 or even 10 times that amount for such a scent. The craftsmanship here is evident. That said, it's important to note that this is not a universally appealing fragrance. It's polarizing. It's the kind of scent that demands attention, and not everyone will be ready to give it. It's one of those perfumes that will spark debates — some will love it, while others might wrinkle their noses. For some, the intensity and complexity may be overwhelming, and the dark, sweet nature of the scent could be off-putting. But for those who appreciate a gourmand perfume with depth and intricacy, this is a standout choice. Interestingly, according to Lattafa's official website, the fragrance pyramid presented by other sources is incorrect, which is something I noticed while reviewing it as well. What's printed may not align with what you actually smell, adding another layer of intrigue to this already fascinating perfume. A real treat for oud lovers, and a must-try if you are one. Opening note: 8 Sillage/Projection: 8+ Dry down: 8 Longevity: 9 Blend/Composition: 8+ Versatility: 5- Uniqueness: 9- Value for money: 9+ Bottle design/Aesthetics: 6+ Overall experience: 8- Blind-buy rating: 1+

Intoxicating. Sensual. Traditional. at my nose : A lot of saffron, with rose and a spicy note (without being able to say what it is exactly); caramel-like sweetness is here straight from the opening to the drydown – that reveals even more of it, with some balsamic/resinous undertone, with its hint of musk. Incensy, earthy-patchouli, a bit of wood, a lot of floral. my personal thoughts : One of my favorite middle eastern perfume. A classic/traditional blend. I'm in love with Oud Mood. I LOVE this DNA; it’s addictive, warm and sexy. You have to love saffron (its metallic, medical almost, quality) in order to appreciate this perfume. Oud Mood is floral (with rose predominantly), sweet, even creamy, with a beautiful mix of wood and incense (that tone down a little after a while). I can smell patchouli in the mix, but it remains soft. Nothing « weird » about the oud for most of people (I think lol) - but I don't think it's a safe blind buy, except if you are already akeen to this kind of scent profile. Unisex. Not sure about how it would suit hot temperature; it’s fall/autumn here for now and it’s GORGEOUS in cold weather. Very long last lasting – especially on clothes. Pretty strong. The scent on the skin is mmmmh ! Someone in another review said « this is not for the timid » and I totally agree. Can’t wait to see how Oud Mood will develop with maturation because I’m already loving it so much now – and I’ve my bottle for only 2 months. the vibe : A dark, mysterious, and beautiful woman/man, exhuding an air of royalty - magnetic and elegant. There is something noble in her/his sight. Sitting on a leather chair with velvety cushions, large silky curtains on a window, opened to a starry sky. Over a lush garden, moon is bright, night is calm. Soft music on the background, lights are deemed, some incense floating in the air; you are mesmerized by her/his aura as she/he is looking at you. tarot cards : II High Priestess + King of Wands. Power, vision, wisdom and intuitive skills. Irresistible. in résumé : saffron + rose + sweet creamy caramel + incensy wood + earthy patchouli + soft musk

Vanilla (medium-brightness-level of vanilla suitable for spring) and some jammy rose (ie the artificial rose scent used in desserts). Thick and dense scent up close (still spring-appropriate because it's not dark), which makes this intoxicating to smell off your arm; but the sillage is airy vanilla. No perceptible oud in my bottle. No perceptible incense or smoke in my bottle. The vanilla has maybe 20% caramel mixed in, but I don't get an actual perceptible caramel. It's really just vanilla and some jammy rose. The sillage is airy vanilla and intoxicating - one of the best sillages I've smelt. The sillage smells more airy and bright than when smelt up close - even more so in the heat of summer. Along with all of this, it was harsh up close and there was an odd savoury salty meat smell equally as prominent to the vanilla! However, after 5 full months of maturation (with ~20 sprays spent over that time), there is no more savoury salty meat smell, and up close it smells smooth and amazing. I still would've worn this with the savoury salty meat smell because the sillage still smelt amazing and like airy gourmand vanilla. However, now even up close this fragrance is impeccable. Slightly feminine leaning because of the bit of jammy rose, but I'll still wear this as a guy. On a guy, the jammy rose component may be interpreted as elegant rather than particularly feminine. 2 hours into the dry-down, the rose tones down a bit and it's such an intoxicating vanilla with a touch of jammy rose. You must spray on a test strip and smell the 2-hour dry-down and experience this for yourself - it's so good. Fantastic performance. All-seasons except for the hotter summer days. Unisex, slightly leaning feminine. This is about a 9.5/10 for me, and one of the best all-seasons vanillas on the market (once maturated).

after some maceration, i get why people say they smell wet wipes on this. However, its just an initial smell, and soon fades of into this addictive, sweet and rich scent. Perfect for the coldest days of winter. Rest of the year - not that much. Performance is great; longevity on this is insane. On skin, you can spray it in the morning and still pick up some scents when you next wake up. On fabrics its even more crazy; all my scarfs smell of it, even after a week. I once gifted my ex a teddy bear on which i sprayed it couple times, and she told me she could still smell it strongly after almost a month (no kidding). It's hard to judge the projection on this scent however, as its a smell which your nose doesnt get used to that easily, so you will be smelling it on yourself throughout the day, no matter what you are doing. I've been told though, that it leaves a "tail", so i guess it really is that good. If i had to say, who that fragrance is for, I really couldnt give a straight answer. To me its a perfect unisex; the flowery notes feel somewhat feminine, while the sweet, ambery undertone make it suited also for men. I could also say its suited for all age groups. This was my first blind buy though, so i might be a little biased, but for that price, you should really consider it. If you dont like it, surely someone else will. Also, dont be mislead by the name; there is no Oud to be found in it. 8/10

I had to wait to review this one because I was on the fence. At first I didn’t think I liked it but kept sneaking a spray when I walked by. I’m sure I’m going to knock someone out with this because I quickly go anosmic sadly and can’t tell if I’m overspraying. My husband hasn’t said he can taste my perfume yet with this one (a frequent statement when I’m too heavy handed) so I think I’m okay. Anyway, it’s very sweet and I get the caramel. Definitely oud, but not barnyard or skanky oud, just a sweet woodiness that grounds the fragrance. A little of the rose, a little of the saffron, don’t really get the pimento. I do like it. I haven’t worn it out yet, but have enjoyed wearing it around the house so far! Update 1/8/25: Well. Apparently this takes 8 months to sit and be ignored. I got this back in May and tried it around the house, but then southern summer hit, which would NOT be an appropriate time to do a real wear test, so I stuck it in the fragrance closet and forgot about it. Until today. Oh my. It’s GORGEOUS now! Sweet and the oud has mellowed to a nicer incense rather than a screechy barnyard. So, like most ME fragrances, letting it sit and mature is key to this beauty. I just did one spray on my hand to see if I liked it and I keep sniffing my hand so I think I’m going to spray it all over and see how we do today! Really impressed with this now.