Collezione Privata Essenza di Aoud

I rate this up there with Montale Black Aoud and Mancera Black to Black with this having the second best dry down of the three behind my Black Aoud International Design in my opinion. It beats Black to Black and the new Intese Black Aoud. This smells very similar to the others mentioned above with similar performance levels on my skin which dare I say are borderline beastly to my great satisfaction. I would say however that the citrus in this seems to be amped up making it different again not that there is citrus in the notes but thats what it smells like to me, maybe its something else who knows? A classic for sure if you are into the whole oud and rose combo. Bravo Pal Zileri.

I find it difficult to wear. A style of aoud-based scent that has found contemporary favour - and certainly so in Arabia and the Near East. Strangely, these aoud scents are a bit old fashioned to my thinking. Almost reminiscent of a perfume one's grandmother wore in the distant past - no doubt because of the heavy rose element. Almost Victorian! The whole scent is heavy, with the aoud having a pungent (dark woody/rose) quality. These are not everyday fragrances - something that must be born in mind when assessing them. However, having tried and tried, I just couldn't get away with it; too dense and sickly. The rose and aoud is all pervasive. Not something I've ever done, but for those with the knack, perhaps it could be layered with another? Rather similar to Guerlain Santal Royal.