Xanaboud

A VERY abrasive dry leathery woody savory scent with a touch of balsam—think beef jerky. It's a Western idea of oud pushed to the max; doesn't smell cheap but also not very nice 🤷🏻 A somewhat unique take that has a similar core to Cartier Oud Absolu.

If you're a gynecologist or a guy returning the favor...well, yeah. That's what this smells like. ♀

Hmm, the low ratings for this fragrance feel severely unjustified. Lady parts, Tabasco, gynecologists?! I’m not seeing it—hardly. At first glance, Xanaboud might feel like your traditional Westernized rose-oud—a genre so oversaturated these days that it rarely grabs my interest anymore (even with around six already in my personal collection). But like everything this house touches, Xanaboud is special. To my nose, this is that "million bucks" smell: opulent, sophisticated, and tailor-made for a special occasion or a sharp outfit. It is loud, noticeable, and screams quality. The composition progresses quickly, shifting from a slightly skanky oud opening (nothing crazy though) into a lush floral heart before finally settling into a resinous, vanillic base. Perfumehead is a house I deeply admire; every creation feels intentional and thought out. Through them, I discovered Constance Georges-Picot, a perfumer who has quickly become a favorite of mine—I’m already following her work across other houses as well. If you are looking for a bold, sophisticated evening fragrance, I highly recommend Xanaboud. It is a massive confidence booster and surprisingly wearable. As with all the extraits from Perfumehead, the performance on this is stellar. It’s interesting that according to the official brief, the perfumer was inspired by the magnificent sunsets that we get here in Los Angeles, and indeed wearing this feels like carrying a piece of that golden hour with you well into the night. It lingers like a dark, warm hum, making you feel completely composed even when the world around you these days is full of chaos.

Greatness rewards those with patience—and this fragrance is proof. At first, you’re greeted by untamed, primal power: a surge of wild, animalic energy radiating from raw African Oud. But don’t rush to judgment—wait just five minutes. Then, like velvet over fire, the transformation begins. What emerges is a dark, sensual mystery—a seductive harmony that channels the elegance of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Oud intertwined with the golden warmth of Grand Soir, deepened by the smokiness of Guerlain’s Oud Kohl, and the smoldering intensity of Tiziana Terenzi’s Chiron. It’s an opulent, hypnotic blend that exudes sophistication, lust, and danger in equal measure. This is not a fragrance for the uninitiated. It’s a bold, addictive journey through the shadows of desire—meant only for those who are ready to lose themselves in scent, sensation, and pure, carnal allure.

First time wearing it - an extremely potent rose/oud/patchouli. The oud comes and goes, stays very wearable. The oud isn't too animalic but also not overly synthetic-smelling, at least to my nose.