Oudh Osmanthus

So Mona di Orio was one of the early niche/indy brands I tried, certainly dating back to the older flacons which I think I remember seeing in Harrods possibly?. However, due to my overload and frankly the saturation of the market, I never really bothered to revisit them and frankly back then I probably didn't understand the sophistication of the works by the late Mona di Orio. However, visiting them afresh with discovery set in hand, I'm being treated to a masterclass in perfumery vibes which don't conform to stereotype. This is a later release, and is it really an Osmanthus or an oud? Well it's sort of neither and it's sort of both. Yeah. What it is, is a pretty perfume which opens with a fresh, powdery, chalky, fresh, lightly peachy osmanthus which is immediately unlike the style of a recent osmanthus I tried, the latest from Crivelli. However, it immediatley reinforced with a hazy, creamy woody musk accord, and light ambery effect. It's blending of the very best, not a angular jut or a steep slope in sight. It immediately makes me scan about for oud and it's a very well behaved oud, anyone expecting anything hardcore will be disappointed, but the tenacity and undercurrent just points in an oud direction, and while you don't get the characteristic 'cheese on the breeze' of even the most politely behaved work from a Ormonde Jayne containing real oud, you do get the sense that it's there but never manifests completely, and some will be happy with that. I actually thought of M7 myself, so to see others think too (plenty of down votes as well) is completely understandable. It conjures the same vibes while smelling nothing like it, so don't get your panties in a bunch it's not misleading to compare to the YSL in terms of style. As I wear this today, I'm really falling for it, truly I think while it's instantly impressive, it's also a bit of a quiet grower, steadily charming me. It's as a perfume should be, every present, evolving but never overstepping it's bounds and I think the orangey/peachy freshness and floral quality (which permeates top to base I feel) in there gives this a really lovely feel. Very Impressive stuff. Update 16/05/25 I wore this on a recent trip to Italy and it was perfect, this should be way more popular than it is. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind gatekeeping this best kept secret of the perfume heads, it's fine by me. The heaviness of the ambery 'oud' base is perfectly complimented by the heady, high frequencies of the floral top/mid notes. All in all, still a fan of this.

It is extremely expensive, true. Too expensive I guess. Now: this is VERY good. I received a tiny sample and at first I found it a bit too strong, animalic and a tad feminine. Too much, as in "everyone will notice you sprayed the whole bottle of a rare perfume on you even if you only sprayed once". I really don't know what I was thinking about that day since the next times I was totally mesmerised and now I think it is simply gorgeous. I disagree with the longevity issues. It is true that the huge blast of oud, osmanthus and amber softens a lot after the first hour, but it stays for aaaaages after that, 24h or more. It doesn't become a skin scent by no means but instead lingers pretty noticeable and truthful with its first charms. Not something common in most perfumes. It is a thick perfume that smells regal yet wearable. This is so expensive it is hard to think how would one justify its purchase... but I think we all have a few scents getting bored in our drawer and this would make up for them. This is magical, I'd wear it to special occasions in winter and I think that 100ml would last a decade, so perhaps buying one and splitting amongst friends would be a good choice. It might be true there are other scents alike for half the price... I haven't yet met any unfortunately. It is somehow in the same line of Jubilation XXV and Marquis de Sade 1740 for opulence but despite the fact I respect those two, I thank Mona for managing the sweetness better, never reaching cloyingland.

I'm 100% with @Fava Beans when they ask "why does everyone put ROSE with oud, when they could do this instead?" I like rose, but it has been done to death in perfumery, particularly with Oud, and I'm bored. Can't tell if I'm bored with oud or with rose. Oudh Osmanthus however, is so cleverly constructed it shows that I'm not actually bored with rose or oud, but merely of the constant repetition. This starts off with pretty dark and earthy patchouli. After about 30 minutes to an hour, it settles into woody osmanthus and oud that wafts beautifully every so often rather than projects in a constant trail. It is a really gorgeous composition and full bottle worthy. Longevity is moderate to strong. I also think its right bang in the middle of that unisex sweet spot where it's neither feminine nor masculine, but I would say it takes a strong personality to carry it off. I suspect a shrinking violet will not feel comfortable wearing it. My favourite from MdO is still and always will be Vanille, closely followed by Nuit Noire. Oudh Osmanthus rides a very close third. However, on its own it could be one of the best takes on Oud ever made. Wonderful stuff.

This is not a simple thing to describe, but previous commentors have done a fantastic job and I totally agree with their sentiments. It's beautiful and complex. The box says it contains real oud, the fragrance is called oud, but I don't want to start comparing this to real oud oils or bakhoors since that's not really the point of this fragrance (or perfumery in general). When a perfumer names their fragrances, nothing is more devisive than the word oud and its variants. With a name like "oud" people will have an expectation of what it should smell like, and if it's nothing like they expect they would immediately cast it off as a failure. For all I care this could have been called bathbubbles and it would still be the masterpiece that it is. I agree that the oud is not as prominent as Montales or even Amouage, but the true inspiration is the osmanthus-oud combo. It combines so beautifuly and eminates from the center of this and brings out the best of all the other notes. I get so much enjoyment whenever I wear it. In a market full of typical rose-oud combinations, this osmanthus-oud fragrance is pure genius.

عود اوسمانتوس مونا از اون عطرهای درجه یک و بسیار با کیفیته که متاسفانه هم کم گیر میاد هم قیمتش بالاست .هم فضای تکراری داره . استارت عود +اوسمانتوس با حس بوی فروتی و کمی شیرین که به سرعت رنگ میبازه حس فروتی و آکورد فلورال خیلی دو و سنگین میاد بالا این خاصیت اوسمانتوسه بوی شبیهه به بوی زرد آلو داره . قسمت اسمانتوسش عجیب با کیفیته و پررنگ . نقش بعدی رو امبر و فضای گرم ایفا می‌کنه در کنار حس بوی دارچین و میخک و وانیل .درست همون حسی که تو عطر وانیلش داره . با همون کیفییت بالا و گیرایی عجیب . پچولی نقش کپکی و خاکی نداره و حس منتول ازش فضا رو کمی تند و خنک می‌کنه . در نهایت همه اینا دست به دست هم می‌دهند تا نت عود رو تو خودشون فید کنند . قسمت مایوس کننده این عطر فضای عربی طور اما بسیار لوکس هست که حداقل برای من تکراریه . در ضمن فضای بویایی بسیار زنونه هست . واسه آقایون خیلی کاربردی نیست . نزنید که بُعد معنوی میگیرید . در آخر مثل همه عطرهای مونا کیفییت در حد اعلا .

MDO LNdOO = Chanel No. 18 + Oud + Charriol Royal Platinum Les Nombres d'Or Oud is a soft oud fragrance, medicinal, powdery. It's one of the very few oud frags that's versatile enough to be worn at any occasion. However, considering its sky high price, I actually expected something more from Mona Di Orio. I think it's too safe and ordinary, almost nothing special. The drydown reminds me of Charriol Royal Platinum, with sweet oud infusion; which is maybe why I didn't feel it's special enough. Had I not known Royal Platinum and Chanel No. 18, I think I would have rated this much higher. Nevertheless, MDO LNdOO is a very well blended and refined fragrance. Scent: 7/10 Longevity: 7/10 Projection: 7/10 Versatility: 9/10 AlmondBreakfast

This smells like slightly boozy peach compot drizzled with just a touch of cinnamon to my nose (allthough there's no cinnamon mentioned in the notes). It has soft, clean floral nuances and a darker, slightly leathery and oudy base. The oud in here is friendly and polite, but still dark and edgy enough to be recognised as oud. It cuts the sweetness and brightness of the fruity peach (the scent doesn't actually contain peach, the smell is just a facet of the osmanthus flower) and makes it a tad more somber and elegant. Lovely fragrance! The sillage is medium right away, but soon becomes more of a skin scent. Soft, but detectable. Longevity is good. I get over 8 hours out of this one.

I can’t believe I still have Mona di Orio discovery set. Probably it is over 10 years old. The Oud, now named Oudh Osmanthus is so unique and contains real oud from Laos. The new version, most certain, has now been reformulated but what I have, is a rich golden juice. Very addictive. Not the typical synthetic oud you can smell in the high street. Not a Middle Eastern type of perfume. Not so much of a green forest but a decaying ancient woodland. Sweet but not a gourmand. A heavenly scent that is mysterious and powerful.

Beautiful, unlike any of those dreadful synthetic ouds on the market. I wish the osmanthus was stronger but this is a very gentle, refined fragrance. It would suit a middle aged wealthy Parisienne very well. Despite it's middle aged appeal and price tag I can't get enough of it. There is a slightly sweaty note that comes out in the middle which makes me think of Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour. I gave in and bought it for myself as a birthday present.

What a great pleasure! A newly received e-mail which states that Basenotes has recognized Mona di Orio as the winner perfumer of the year whereas the same brand, owning her name, is the best fragrance house, moreover ' Oud' (the most complex oud I've ever smelled!, even though my opinion is really irrelevant being myself not so experienced about it) is the best fragrance! It is a pity she will never know it! A postumus award .......after all.

After many testings of this fragrance, i must say that this is a gorgeous fragrance. This quickly transforms into one of the cleanest,darkest florals that i have smelled. Its high quality, and very unisex. Mona di Orio was a genius and she left us with some gems. Its sad because she was super creative and so far away from the norm. Go check some of her interviews, she was super passionate about fragrances. I give this a 10/10

A really deep and sharp oud-scent, introduced with a citrus-note that grows thin within 30 minutes. After that oud takes over underlined by the voluptuous amber. It's not one of those oud perfumes that some people will love and some people will hate, it's smoother and easier than that, but never boring or uninteresting. I wouldn't mind a little more sillage though. Other than that it's a fantastic scent.

I found my perfect oud. It's so good I stopped looking and smelling other oud fragrances. And it's been several years now. This is the one. Gives me everything I want from oud. Total monogamy. So complex and deep. With such a perfect floral-wood balance, with such a delicate sweet-tart equilibrium. Smooth, slightly more feminine, sensual...So beautiful...

Another Mona di Orio fragrance that has captivated me so much. It is just bewitching, magical... For some reason it reminds me of Bridge to Terabithia woodland! (After trying few others oud fragrances this is the only one I Like.)

At first I tought - here we go again, another oud perfume! But after just 5 minutes I was completelly in love with it. Not that much oud on me, but lots of smokiness, like in Shalimar.

Mona di Orio has been the greatest artist of this generetion and one of the best of the last 50 years.

MdO’s OUD is stunning, complex and utterly mesmerising! Majestic in a single word. OUD opens with mandarin, petitgrain and elemi; quite cleansing. Almost immediately these top notes yield to osmanthus and patchouli, here also appears the oud. Initially the oud performs in partnership with the osmanthus and patchouli to create a remarkably woody-fresh vibe but gradual dry down sees OUD evolve and darken on the skin with the oud melding to musk and ambergris; in doing so the osmanthus softens and OUD becomes deeper and bolder. By pairing oud (genuine oud from Laos, nothing synthetic here!) with osmanthus rather than the usual rose, MdO has created something completely unique in OUD. This is regal and exotic with a smouldering smoky feel. OUD is a parfum of tremendous quality. It is thick but utterly wearable thanks to its smooth velvetiness. Sillage is moderate and longevity huge; I get 16+ hours. I’ve worn OUD since 2011 and have almost emptied a 100ml bottle in that time. I will certainly be purchasing a replacement bottle in the immediate future despite the A$500+ cost. 8.5/10

My perfumer in Antwerp (Necessities, visit it if you're there and want expert advice/great stories about all the perfumes in store) told me this is one of the few fragrances that actually uses real oud. Apparently it's so hard to get by, it was sold out for half a year or so. Anyway: on to the review. This starts so very interesting! A perfect oud opening, the start of this fragrance just smells quality/expensive, very complex, a lot of different smells going on. Makes me think of old Persia. After an hour or two it develops into a less oudy, and more sweet/woody kind of smell. From this point on, it still smells good, but because the oud fades to the background a little, the scent that remains doesn't please me as much anymore. It still stays complex, there's still a lot to smell, this is still a beautiful scent, the dry down is just not my particular cup of tea. But I can imagine someone else loving this to death. Longevity is amazing, clearrrrly smellable on the skin after about 7-8 hours of applying.

There's hardly any oud in this perfume. It's tamed, nice and unoffensive, which is so not-oud. It also projects minimally and lasts no more than a couple of hours, all traits that say "not really oud". They must have taken a drop of oud and tried to make it wearable by anyone. It's the classic case of something that aims to be for everybody and ends being without personality. If they had brought this concept a little bit further, they'd have put water in the bottle. I remember reading interviews by Mona about sensing the oud as a physical presence in her house, once she had left a bottle of the real thing open in her room at night. She said that she wanted everyone to experience that feeling. Well, there's nothing of it in here, really. Try Perris' Imperial Oud instead, or even L'Artisan's Al Oudh, and many others, to have a glimpse of what oud is like. At that price, this fragrance is outrageous.

An interesting interpretation of an oud theme. The scent starts light citric freshness (rather a smoky orange than a lemon) with some woody notes. After a while it becomes sweeter. One can clearly distinguish a patchouli and ambergis sweetness which remains tender in the composition. The scent of osmanthus is present as well while the (eponymous) oud note is only vaguely perceptible. Besides, there are some other jasmin-like floral notes. The whole appears very harmonic and is very well and balanced composed. Mona di Orio is succeeded to interpret the oriental oud theme in such a way that it became pleasant and comfortable for western “noses”. Many fans of oriental scents will thus love this tender floral woody fragrance.