Oud Éclat

I'm a devotee of Miller Harris: Feuille de Tabac is my signature scent (absolutely gorgeous), and so I was very excited to receive a sample of Oud Éclat. I wasn't disappointed. This isn't what I'd call an 'in-your-face' oud frag - it's much more subtle than that. In fact my initial thought was that it smelt like bonfire toffee (in a good way)! So, off the bat you get a delicious mix of subtle oud, smoke, brown sugar and cashmere wood. For me, the drydown accentuated the presence of the nutmeg and balsam fir with maybe the slightest hint of leather. Whatever though, from start to finish this is a beautiful and sophisticated scent that I would say leans more the the masculine but will likely draw compliments regardless of who is wearing it. It doesn't strike me as a young person's frag, however. With one or two notable exceptions (Hidden on the Rooftops, for example) I don't find that Miller Harris fragrances project massively unless you go heavy on the initial sprays. That said, I think the level of projection here with Oud Éclat is just about spot on. Having tried the sample, will I be buying a full size bottle? You bet!

Testing Oud Eclat from a 2 ml Miller Harris official sample. I am not saying this is just another dupe of, but it is very much like BR540, as other people mentioned. It’s difficult not to notice the similarities in my opinion. The note structure might look a bit dissimilar but the scent overall has the same airy, sugary sweet, slightly resinous smell like BR540. Whether you want to splurge on a bottle of that or to get Oud Eclat for so much cheaper and more juice, it’s going to be in the end up to one’s preference. Or you can just buy one of those clones. But Oud Eclat smells way smoother and more expensive than the Middle Eastern dupes in my opinion. I have a few of them and I prefer Miller Harris’s variation on the very popular DNA. If you love BR540, this is a no brainier and a very safe blind buy even. Totally unisex. Very underrated, like most of Miller Harris perfumes! Personally I cannot comment on the similarities with Oud for Greatness because I never tried that, but it might have something similar with Initio’s take as well.

I bought a set with a 10ml of this and lasted two years before I purchased a full bottle. It was like a long distance lover; I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The comparisons to BR540 are merited and not...the similarities are undeniable, but this is not an Instagram influencer frag. There’s no saffron, and the sugary ambrette is airier, less cloying. A handsome gent wearing a cable-knit sweater at Christmastime (hello balsam fir). A silky sophistication closer to MFK’s Oud Satin Mood, rather than its whiny-yet-shiny younger sister. Sexy, slinky, spicy. Big love.

I think this is a wonderful fragrance for fall and winter. It reminds me of that cozy feeling by the fireplace, a cup of warm, sweet and spicy drink, and the slight hint of Christmas tree. It makes me feel confident and content. It smells like a bold statement, and I imagine people who wear this would be very stylish and financially comfortable. Due to the warmth it carries, it's a perfect bedtime scent as well. I wish Miller Harris had a smaller bottle of this perfume because I rarely buy 100ml bottles.

I sprayed and I loved it. Was instant. Oud but sugary with a balsamic note. It is strong not in the common "oudy" way the sugar note is really, really strong on me, I only realized because my friend was suffering next to me!! Probably better sprayed in colder weather. Not good on everyone's skin you easily get a "wow, you smell gooood!" but they they might try and hate it.. For this particular reason is a good candidate to become a signature scent - if only I could stop trying other fragrances.