Secret de Rochas Oud Mystère

This is from Luca Turin's review: "...despite its shifting perspective, the overall effect from afar is a remarkably coherent accord uncannily like the delicious smell of labdanum resin." I don't get anything "shifting" here; the oud note is obvious and it's on the dry side. The other notes are subordinate and I can't say I get much of any of the others. Now this was just a dab sampling so I'll have to wear it in the usual way and report back. I obtained a bottle at a very low price so I'm content, but if you aren't an oud scent fan, it's not a safe blind buy, and if you are, you may already have something you'd prefer to this one. UPDATE. Regular wearing: I don't know why anyone would call this delicious. I would reserve that descriptor for gourmands or scents that have a major gourmand element. I'd go with the reviewer who says it smells like chlorine, actually, though that's more like a texture than a scent (unless you don't have much experience with oud notes, especially in such "mainstream" fragrances). The main element is a dry/woody/ oud that isn't too strong. And contrasting with that are gentle, slightly sweet florals. There's no reason why this can't be marketed as unisex niche, as the woodiness is quite strong. A good "starter niche" scent and also good for those who want a clear oud scent that isn't going to frighten the neighbors. UPDATE #2: After a couple hours, it comes together to be a dry, spicy scent with the oud as a kind of background hum. The florals are barely detectable, and only as a sort of texture. What's great about it is that I don't get any major "chemical" quality, such as iso e super, cashmeran, or a "woody/amber." I really like this composition, though to be fair, there's a lot of competition and it doesn't have any kind of monster note to appeal to some in the niche crowd.

I thought and I still think that this fragrance is a unisex one. I bought it for me (as my name is Carlos, it's easy to deduct my gender). I just want to quote an opinion from this page: "Seductive, mysterious, sultry, woody, oriental and altogether gorgeous!" The Oud-Rose-Safron that dominates this scent is fabulous. Nevertheless the overall effect from afar is a remarkably mieterious one with an also proeminent note like the delicious smell of labdanum resin. This fragrance does far better than most, and gracefully tapers off to a presentable masculine accord of woods. A very fine piece of work. Yes I do have to share it with my wife. I still have not decided if I like it on me better then on her. It's damn sexy! General performance is above average. Will I buy it again? If I don't, my wife will!!! General note: 8.5~9.0/10.00

This perfume is fabulous! Paris meets Middle East! Just goes to show how subjective fragrance is and/or how differently our olfactory systems work. I find this to be one of the most unique fragrances in my collection and it smells like nothing else. This is LOADED with osthmanthus and I don't even see it listed in the notes. Maybe it is the "secret" ingredient, I'm not sure. The osthmanthus used is very similar to what is in Parfum d'Empire Osthmanthus Interdite. It lasts several hours on me. I'm not sure how long because I kept craving the opening and respraying. I'm so glad I went ahead and made this blind buy. It is old school meets modern meets Middle East. Love it!

I am dismayed to read so many negative reviews, but let's face it, fragrance is entirely subjective and there are so many factors at play. Your own skin chemistry, your olfactory sense, the environment, the season, the temperature. I bought this in summer and liked, but didn't go crazy for it, so I pushed it to the back of the wardrobe. I wore it today (start of winter) and it absolutely blew me away around 3-4 hours into the morning. Seductive, mysterious, sultry, woody, oriental and altogether gorgeous! So glad I persevered. May I suggest that you give this another go if you didn't like it to start with...it deserves another chance.

Very beautiful graceful elegant unisex perfume with delicate chord of oud, roses, saffron, olibanum, gardenia. Oud here is very soft, covered by roses, spices, patchouli. You feel classic french school and Rochas style ❤