Rudis

Rudis by Nobile 1942 is a fragrance that leans into its narrative with conviction. Inspired by the symbolic wooden sword (allegedly) awarded to Roman gladiators upon earning their freedom, it channels themes of strength, endurance, and transformation. The composition, crafted by Antonio Alessandria, is bold both in structure and in "spirit". The opening is quite unconventional: a heady blend of red wine (and it really does smell of wine for the first couple of minutes), dried fruits, and bergamot that evokes the image of a ceremonial drink fortifying and intoxicating. This introduction is not merely olfactory but atmospheric, conjuring the grit of the arena and the tension before battle. As the scent develops, a metallic floral heart emerges. Rose and geranium are sharpened by clove (in continuity with the red wine opening) and saffron, creating a contrast between beauty and brutality. The floral notes are not delicate; they are tempered and steely, maybe like an armor worn with purpose. Cedarwood adds a dry, linear backbone that reinforces the composition’s structure. The base is where Rudis finds its grounding. Leather, patchouli, and vetiver form a dense, earthy foundation, softened slightly by frankincense and immortelle. The result is a drydown that feels resolute, less about elegance, more about presence. It’s a scent that doesn’t evolve dramatically but rather settles into a steady, smoky resonance. In my experience, the performance is very solid, with moderate projection and outstanding longevity. It is best suited for colder months and formal settings. While not universally wearable, Rudis will reward those who appreciate a narrative-driven, unique and characterful fragrance. In sum, Rudis is not a crowd-pleaser, nor does it try to be. It is an evocative and textured statement piece. It is also worth calling out the amazing bottle and handmade leather box it comes in - hands down, the best I have in my collection. Great price, when found at discounters.

I, a woman, discovered this fragrance in 2017 when I was dragged by a friend to go to a blind scent 'tasting' of perfumes. I landed on this one as my favorite: it starts off with an incredibly strong smell of peaty whiskey (think Laphroaig) and leather, almost too strong, but after a few minutes it the leathery and pleasantly fruity smell start to come through to dilute it, like the ice cube in your drink. After an hour it evolves into a mellow, delicate floral balanced on a light woodsy/pachouli base that lasts for the rest of the day. I laughed when they revealed my blind choice was a cologne AND very expensive, but I was happy to be sent home with a free sample. Reader, I became utterly obsessed with this sample. I initially chose it because of how unique it was – interesting and complex and somehow not headache-inducing despite the wild amount of powerful smells – but I quickly grew to genuinely appreciate how it made me feel. There's a Power in this scent, it makes me feel a bit intimidating in a confusingly sexy way. I started to wear it on job interviews or on special days when I needed extra confidence. After making that tiny sample last for YEARS, I finally caved and bought a real bottle (my first 'big' perfume purchase!). The packaging of which, mind you, is as ridiculous and beautiful as the perfume itself; made of real leather and accompanied by a whole lyrical story about roman soldiers and blood. It makes me laugh but I also kind of love it, there's just something about this scent that gets into your lizard brain and amps you up. It's got that masculine force but ends with a tender kiss on the nose. To smell this on a man would drive me a little nuts (in a good way), especially if he had the confidence, charm and underlying sweetness to match the scent. As is, I'll keep wearing it myself and channel my own Gregory Peck meets Gian Maria Volonté energy.

I did not test Rudis myself, but I had the pleasure of smelling its development on my boyfriends skin during a trip to Munich. He was intrigued by it because it smelled so much like a bottle of fine single malt to him on the test strip. And indeed the opening is a wonderfull whiskey-soaked wood (or is it wood-infused whiskey?) accord. Warmed up by the skin, fruity notes develop. While the woods stay fairly close to the skin, it's the wine-soaked fruits that project and add a playfulness to the fragrance. The boozy woods develop further to a smokey vetiver-leather combo, with an added burned maple syrup note from the immortelle. The whiskey however, never completely disappears. Rudis is a great fragrance, warm, cozy and quite sexy. Great for cold winter and fall evenings, but it wasn't too heavy in the 28 degrees Munich afternoon. What I love about the fragrance is the combination of wine and whiskey (even though these notes are not in the pyramid, they are very apparent to me). Through these notes Rudis unites two types of gentlemen; the calm, distinguished Scottish and the hot blooded Italian. And it is exactly this juxtaposition which maked Rudis both interesting and extremely versatile. In terms of longevity and projection, as I said earlier, Rudis does project quite a bit, but it's maily the wine-soaked fruits rather than the wood-infused whiskey. I was quite disappointed in the lasting power of this fragrance, not 15-20 min like the reviewer below experienced, but 5 to 6 hours. After that, you are left with a very vague immortelle-vetiver mix. This may be due to the high temperature in which the scent was tested, but still, for the price I expect more. In any case, Nobile 1942 performs again!

My new fave! It’d been maybe 150 samples and purchases before coming across this, finally breaking the the fun but somewhat muted ride of scent exploring. So this arrived with a bang, a sample from lucky scent, I immediately placed on order for a full bottle. So refreshing, and ironically perfect as I’m going through a leather phase and the only scents that so far interested me like Thameens Regent Leather were just not quite pushing me over the edge as a price for performance gripe. So, for me, an astounding extremely bright medicinal opening (being the acidic sweet grape) almost alcoholic and hospital like (though pleasant as you can feel the fruit origin behind it) evolves to a blended whisky like feel - as if it’s been poured into a tumbler with ice. After 10ish minutes a smokiness wafts further evolving the smell reminding me of maybe oak barrels. Here the red fruits appear and the medicinal edge starts to fade 15-30 minutes in and the warm leather morphs into sight, this lasting another 30-90 minutes before the leather turns into maybe more of a suede with a touch of bright red fruits on top. Gorgeous performance, the bubble quite pronounced and longevity is getting close on par with the best, all the more impressive because of the type of scents. The beauty in this is the strong evolution and journey providing such a clear gamut of swinging presentation from medicinal bright to warm fuzzy and luxurious. For me this was the discovery of 2020 and put me on a positive despite the craziness of the Corona virus. This will be a bottle I will always have to replace and it will be in my top 20 rotation.

EN: "Rudis" by Nobile 1942 paints a vivid olfactory picture. The opening act is an intoxicating performance of fruity and floral notes, marred slightly by a metallic, leathery undertone. As the scent unfolds, a boozy, wine-like aroma takes center stage, evoking a sense of rustic masculinity. Alongside this, subtle hints of cloves, saffron and a metallic rose lend complexity to the composition. As the final act approaches, the scent matures into a warm, leathery and incense-infused aura. This fragrance, while undoubtedly unique, may not be universally appealing due to its bold, challenging notes. It could be seen as a symbol of strength and freedom, a testament to its gladiatorial inspiration. IT: "Rudis" di Nobile 1942 dipinge un vivido quadro olfattivo. L'apertura è un'intensa performance di note fruttate e floreali, leggermente offuscate da un sottotono metallico e di cuoio. Mentre il profumo si svela, un aroma alcolico, simile al vino, prende il centro della scena, evocando una sensazione di mascolinità rustica. Accanto a questo, sottili accenni di chiodi di garofano, zafferano e una rosa metallica conferiscono complessità alla composizione. Avvicinandosi all'atto finale, il profumo matura in un'aura calda di cuoio e incenso. Questa fragranza, senza dubbio unica, potrebbe non essere universalmente apprezzata a causa delle sue note audaci e provocatorie. Potrebbe essere vista come un simbolo di forza e libertà, un omaggio alla sua ispirazione gladiatoriale.

#1486 in my "Tour de Fragrance" Nobile 1942 has been a fun exploration for me. I've tried 20 of their scents so far. Half are amazing. Half are just okay. None have been abominations. All considered it's a great record. This one is in the amazing category. Very dried fruity and floral, but woody as a pencil sharpener, and it all works. A girlfriend is arriving from LA tomorrow and I'm making her Moroccan Chicken Tangine, for dinner (she's a highly skilled, highly sought, private chef and nutritional consultant, so cooking for her is intimidating). Among the ingredients in that dish are dried apricots and dried prunes, and those are the dominant fruits I get in this scent along with a lot of leather, cedar and carnation. (I've become a fan of carnation as a note, and if you've not tried it, give History Parfums "Spanish Carnation" a shot. I have to get a replacement bottle for one a girlfriend ended up with). This scent lasts long, projects well, but it's really date wear. Nothing you'd wear for the office or the beach, or just to hang out. I can usually get these Nobile scents at FragranceNet (usually not a price leader, but I've always gotten Nobile 1942 scents from them for much less than everyone else). Nobiles in this category usually go for around $115 on their site. They're currently sold out of this. Other sources have this going $180 and up, so get a decant to try before you buy.

this is honestly such a unique, mature, expensive-smelling fragrance. it opens with an immediate sharp wine note. in a few minutes, it starts to smell exactly like smoking a cigarette to me (and not in a bad way at all, surprisingly.) it’s difficult to describe how and why it’s as pleasant it is, but what i can say is that it isn’t repulsive or intrusive like secondhand smoke. as an ex-smoker, this definitely brings me back. after an hour or so, i start to pick up on the herbal notes (i blindly guessed rosemary, but in actuality it’s likely immortelle and/or patchouli as the culprit!) it heavily reminds me of expensive hotel bath products, likely due to the rose note as well. for me, this is as far as the scent evolves, remaining cigarette-like and herbal with a hint of fruit until it fades away at around the four hour mark. this scent makes me imagine smoking in an expensive hotel room while the shower’s on and portishead plays. this is something i see myself wearing on a night out. maybe i have some very questionable skin chemistry, an untrained nose, or both. because i don’t really feel like this is what was intended with this fragrance, but i really like it regardless.

The scent of gladiators. The rudis was the key to obtaining freedom, a wooden gladius, given by the Roman emperor only to the strongest and most courageous gladiators. Before going to risk their lives in the arena, gladiators used to consume a drink based on wine, spices and dried fruit to give themselves confidence and courage. This very drink with its elegant notes of pomace, dates and raisins, cloves and citrus fruits envelops us as soon as we spray this perfume, giving comfort and security. Slowly a smoky, slightly senseless leather meets the metallic facets of rose, geranium and saffron to evoke the robes and weapons of the gladiator, giving character and strength to the composition. Finally, on the base, the dry notes of vetiver meet the earthiness of patchouli to recall the beaten and arid earth of the arena, the balsamic woods make us understand that the battle is won, the rudis is ours and freedom regained. A hymn to strength, a precious ally for everyday challenges, for those who want to face life with indomitable courage just like a gladiator.

Rudis is easily one of my favorite perfume purchases. From the first spray, the blend of dried fruits, rich wine notes, and leather creates an absolutely captivating scent. What really makes this fragrance stand out for me is the dry down. It transforms into this beautiful, grapy, red-wine-like aroma with a slightly liquorice twist that I completely adore. It’s deep, smooth, and incredibly addictive. This is definitely a top 5 fragrance in my collection of all time. It smells masculine and luxurious—like pure sophistication in a bottle. If I had to describe Rudis as a person, it would be a rich, handsome man who owns a stunning vineyard in Italy, drives a classic Ferrari convertible, and enjoys a fine cigar at sunset. That’s exactly the kind of energy this scent gives off. The longevity is moderate, and the sillage sits closer to the skin than I would prefer. If I could change one thing, it would be to improve both the projection and how long it lasts. Aside from that, the scent itself is outstanding. I would give the scent alone a 9.2/10.

The Eau de parfum Rudis Nobile 1942 created by Antonio Alessandria is inspired by the gladiators of ancient Rome, and is dedicated to the virtue of strength, victory and defeat, life or death. When a gladiator won in the arena, he received the Rudis, a rudimentary wooden sword which however signified a great conquest: after so much suffering, the warrior was finally free from slavery. The opening notes are decidedly rough: wine and fruity notes, like the spirits that gladiators drink to gain strength and courage, a fresh and lively hint of bergamot. The heart notes are warm, cloves immersed in deep and carnal notes of rose and geranium, cutting metallic notes, sharp and shiny like swords, decisive and harsh notes of cedar. In the solid and invincible base, sensual notes of leather and patchouli, strength and courage, before the luminous elevation of incense. Fragrance that must be interpreted and understood.

Amazing. Unfortunately doesn't suit my skin. I'll try again some time. Edit: I take this review back, I love it. I want it. In my opinion this is a summer scent; a blistering hot summer's day, Rome, etc as the perfume's story tells so I won't need to go into descriptors of bloodied swords and hot stone, rusted axes and bowls of grapes. The longevity is great, the sillage good. Creative, evolves throughout the day into the night telling many stories as an epic should! It opens as a Caravaggio painting with grapes and wine; Roman pigments of grapes and reds, dust is kicked and the perfume evolves into something darker, the day bleeds and the mood turns silent. Stunning. Slight leather, slight wood, slight uncomfort in an otherwise world of calm and bliss. A blade, a crowd, a masterpiece. 10/10

You gotta love Rudis :0) Thanks to my favourite niche perfumery having a sell-out before redecorating I own a bottle now. The combination of leather and a rich, red wine note is irresistable. This is a perfume that certainly works for women too, wine, roses and leather, for me it delivers. I put some on while watching the first two episodes of Penny Dreadful today, Rudis fits the atmosphere completely: mysterious, warm, gothic. Pretty unique. The bottle is gorgeous with the wooden stopper on top of red, matte glass with the name mounted on it on a copper plaque. And the box is completely made of the most beautiful, red leather. Just looking at bottle and box makes me happy. Together with the sniffing: perfection!

this is one of the best of 2014 in my book. a fabulous take on leather, booze and a subtle spicy & fizzy labdanum. in the far drydown the vetiver makes an appearance but only in a supporting role. i absolutely love the interplay between the leather, a red wine note and whisky as they shift for the first hour, settling down to a more conventional spicy leather accented by wood from the whisky. i get no florals from this and would never consider this a 'vetiver frag'. rudis is an impressive balancing act that shows real skill in its complexity, strength and subtlety. it's quite 'masculine' and comes in an over-the-top package of handcrafted leatherand wood. expensive but worthy

I love the story and the concept behind this fragrance. To me, this is the beauty of niche perfumery: exploratory, out there, atypical. I smell a lot of red wine throughout the first couple of hours in a very, very good way. Towards the dry down it reminds me (only ever so slightly) of another fragrance I have that funnily enough also refers to gladiators: Electimuss' Gladiator Oud. I love both of these. This, like many other fragrances I own, is one I wear just for me no matter what other people think. Great blind buy and one I'm happy to have in my collection as it doesn't get many, if any, mentions here in the USA.

opens with woody single malt, quickly transforms into sweet wood and leather and later turns into sweet wood and resin. scotch is not that obvious after the first hour but still present. masculine and interesting perfume. lasts on me ~8 hrs but after the first 4 like a skin scent, including the very last hour when it becomes nearly non-existent. seems that lasting time of this EDP is like of a good EDT

عطر علي درجه من الجمال سيعشقها محب العطور البوزيه والعطر ذو جوده عاليه وغير مزعج، العطر رجولي بحت ، ثبات وفوحان العطر من جيد الي جيد جدا ، اعتقد مع الوقت سيصبح اعمق واثقل، العطر اصدار ٢٠١٤ ولن تجد احد يتكلم عليه كثيرا ،وايضا اجمل في الرئحه من عطور بوزيه كثيره معروفه حاليا.

有位青岛的朋友,第一次闻到鲁德的时候,说“这不是即墨老酒味嘛”。 这只香确实都多少沾点,药感,酒香,花香,皮革。这只皮革还是不能忽略的,是那种厚重的硬质皮革味。药感更多的来自藏红花,广藿较少。香根草的味道在中调还挺突出的,慢慢跟蜡质感的不凋花以及烟熏的气息混合在一起。最后残余在皮肤上的味道是烟熏皮革果干的味道,后面的酒气是若隐若无白葡萄酒味。再次申明,我个人受不了很野的皮革味,这只融合的还蛮好的。 总体感觉还是一只很有“中国风”的味道。 昨晚喷了这只侍寝,还挺舒适安心的。 酒香偏入梦,花落又关情。 这只香,入梦刚好。

Bloody Wood from LI wished he was like Rudis. Strong, bloody leathery, fruity and so unique.

Wine and blood kind of scent. Love it

In 2014, Nobile 1942 decided to launch a new collection of more opulent fragrances, representing the movement of the market, including in the niche segment and reinforcing that they were ready to follow the changes in the industry. The classics of yore were losing space for the most modern perfumes filled with notes of incense, leather and Oud. The consumer, in turn, had also become more demanding. Was born, then, The Premium Collection. Rudis came to represent strength, power. Rudis is the name of the wooden sword that was used by gladiators, during training, in ancient Rome. But it was also the symbol of liberty, for it was the gift that a gladiator received upon being released as a slave after having shown great value during the battles. It was the object that represented the beginning and the end of his career. Following its style and tradition, the company invited an Italian perfumer to give life to the fragrance: Antonio Alessandria. He understood the concept and thought of a fragrance that represented the image of a virile man, always involved with drinks (because of the narcotic effect), but ready for the fight. He wears pieces of leather that withstand blows and lives to prove his worth. For this, the perfumer worked with bergamot, dried fruits accord, fruity notes and marc, in the output; rose, geranium, cloves, saffron and cedar, in the body; leather, patchouli, vetiver, immortelle, musky notes and incense, in the base. By feeling the fragrance of Rudis today (middle of 2018), it can not be said that it is extremely innovative. Even so, it is current and has everything to keep that way for a few years, as long as the current style remains like this. When applied, the scent of Rudis resembles fermented wine, with that smell felt by those who have stepped on grapes and had the shins immersed in juice and barks. At the same time, the nuances of cloves and saffron give a fuller tone and it comes to remember the smell of brandy. There is not much evolution, but it is possible to feel the metallic rose, which brings the blood effect (portrayed on the box made of real leather and the bottle, both dyed in red), as well as the saffron which, in my opinion, is the great point of this composition. Rudis is not a perfume of great projection but exudes masculinity in a rustic form, nothing elegant. Especially when the nuances of leather and incense begin to exhale, stating that the movie that tells the story of the gladiator is coming to an end. The fusion of dirty and aged accords is so unique that makes us understand why this fragrance won one of the categories of the Fifi Awards in 2015. The longevity is very good, although it stays close to the skin after about five hours. On my last evening test, before I publish this review, I was still able to feel the fragrance on my arms after twelve hours, in the next morning. Rudis: more than a tool that did not hurt, a symbol that represented relief, freedom.