Aoud

This was my first review (written ages ago but not posted for some reason??) of Roja Dove and Aoud was good but having tried the range I'm somewhat a fan of these fragrances. Well, well, well Roja Dove fragrances! Hyped and bashed in equal measure. I'm going to try to get to the bottom of this and hopefully bring some clarity to proceedings. I've only tried two from this exclusive line and Aoud was the first one. The reason I didn't hurriedly put pen to paper (or finger to iPhone) to document the momentous occasion will become apparent. The sample vile looked extremely inviting, containing a thick, oily, dark, dark amber goop. As soon as I tried it on my skin I got a smoky ploom of woody Oud reminiscent of fragrances from countless houses but Zerjoff sprung to mind due to a distinct 'diesel' quality. This is backed with hints of resins and tiny florals peeking through. It's nice...very nice. I made the mistake of thinking that Aoud was a lovely thing which oozed quality but was linear and somehow lacking in depth other than the great Oud and labdanum. It's only now that I've tried it a couple of times that I can appreciate the subtle complexities, which almost makes me want to rethink and revisit several fragrances, to see if I change my mind on them. As I said I tried RD Aoud a few weeks ago now and haven't thought a great deal about it since, until I got it out for my girlfriend to try. She loves strong orientals, Ouds as well as quite feminine florals so she's pretty well rounded. I should maybe have given her no prior knowledge about the fragrance but I decided to give her a quick bio of Dove and the price of this juice. Her reaction was wild! She absolutely couldn't get enough of this scent. I bore/bombard her with allsorts of fragrances on a pretty much daily basis and normally reactions are fairly blasé but this provoked a BIG response. I then did something I never do, post trying a fragrance myself. I proceeded to look at other reviewers on YouTube etc...just to see what the buzz was. I came across one guy who seemed very balanced and knowledgable about perfume and the process of perfumery in general, who was offering up his opinions. Have to say his description 'Stale Newport cigarette's and the cheapest feminine drugstore perfume.' I just don't get? To say that this fragrance gives NO hints as to the quality of ingredients used, shows a fundamental lack of understanding about perfume. Whatever you think of the composition or what your tastes might be you have to give credit where it's due. I did appreciate his point about the use of 'finest ingredients' and what people mean by that and 'Can you smell it?' I thought he was missing a trick slightly assuming that people think 'fine quality ingredients' mean 'naturals' then going on to make the point that Amouage readily use synthetics. Well the truth is, majority of houses do regardless of price and I think it's a bit patronising to assume that other frag heads don't know this. when I say something smells 'synthetic' I don't mean it in the literal sense, same with 'cheap' or whatever? It's difficult to explain and for another time perhaps? The point is Roja Dove Aoud is a very opulent and strong scent which delivers what I expected. Anyone who is looking for the holy grail of fragrances will probably be a little disappointed because high price and exclusivity don't guarantee anything. Aoud is very, very good...even great for me. It's by no means that original or groundbreaking and if you think it's worth the money then good for you, there's a ton of fragrances to get before this one would figure on my list....but eventually I think it would. Great projection at first, great longevity as you would expect.

Roja Parfums Aoud is a luxurious fragrance that offers a sophisticated and refined take on the traditional oud scent. This perfume is designed for those who appreciate the complexity and opulence of oud but want something more polished and accessible🙌 The opening is immediately striking with a rich, smoky oud that is not overpowering, but rather warm and enveloping. It’s accompanied by a subtle floral and citrus undertone, which helps to balance the depth of the oud and prevent it from feeling too heavy or overwhelming. This sophisticated interplay of ingredients showcases Roja’s signature style—masterfully blending tradition with modern elegance. As the fragrance develops, it evolves into a more resinous and woody composition, with hints of rose and a faint sweetness from amber, creating a luxurious yet not cloying scent. The musk and spices in the dry-down add a sensual, almost velvety quality to the fragrance, making it feel incredibly refined. One of the standout features of Roja Parfums Aoud is its longevity and projection. The scent lingers for hours without becoming too intrusive, allowing its complexity to unfold gradually. It’s a fragrance that demands attention but in a way that feels sophisticated, rather than overwhelming✨ Final Thoughts: Roja Parfums Aoud is a beautifully crafted oud fragrance that manages to capture the essence of this traditional ingredient without feeling too bold or challenging. It’s perfect for those who want an upscale, nuanced oud experience that is both approachable and long-lasting. While it sits firmly in the luxury fragrance category, its smooth balance of elements makes it wearable for various occasions, from formal events to evening outings. If you’re a fan of oud but seek something polished and refined, Aoud is an exquisite choice👍 Follow me on IG @ag_frags🙂

They have this available in a travel set of five 10 ml bottles, and it includes this (Aoud), Sweetie Aoud, Amber Aoud, Enigma Aoud, and Taif Aoud, for just $250, and I got a couple free samples for ordering that, including Aoud Extraordinaire and Elysium Pour Femme. Other than the wait for it to be shipped, because I guess they send it directly from the UK, I don't see how they keep those travel sets in stock! I've seen Roja fragrances, and tried them at Neiman Marcus, but that's a few hour drive for me, and I don't think there is anywhere in my area that carries them. I haven't actually received the set that I ordered yet, but I got 10% off because they were having a Boxing Day Sale too. I like how their sample set costs so much less by volume than their full bottles, since the full bottles are so much fancier. I'm really excited to get my nose on those scents, because I bought a 50 ml bottle of Sweetie Aoud, four months ago, and I love that stuff so far! Sweet oud fragrances have been my thing lately; I love Bond No 9 Nomad and Xerjoff Alexandria II and so many more. I might get LV Les Sables Rose or Fleur du Desert next, or try more Frederic Malle, because I have a travel bottle of Promise and Portrait of a Lady, and I love both of those; I just wish their stuff wasn't so expensive! At least they have the new Desert Gem, Hope, available in a travel spray, even if it does cost $250! The smallest size of The Night that they offer is 50 ml, and it's the same price by volume, $25 per ml!

This is so good I want to bite into it. A most spectacular oriental-chypre: oud/rose but done in the 3-tiered French style. Mysterious, luxurious and expensive. Not one to do things by halves, Roja has drenched this in finely contrasting notes: a deep oud, a lush sweet rose, bitter oakmoss, brightened by ylang-ylang and jasmine, textured and salted with ambergris, sensual with musk. Every facet, every nook and cranny has something hanging off it or poking out. Way more than just a deep oud/rose oriental. This is on a completely different plain of perfumery. Comes out the gates heavy with a dark oud - sharper than Amber Aoud - then turns a hard left into an obvious chypre profile, but then smooths down to something very sexy and sensual. All mixed up with some magic elixir and black magic. My favourite of the three Roja Aouds by far, and one of my favourite fragrances EVER. But I feel like Tiny Tim staring through the window of the butchers - something so far out of reach. The oakmoss and rhubarb were completely unexpected but are awe-inspiring. There is also almost an old-fashioned soap accord that I think comes from the tartness of the rhubarb with the florals. But by no means does this fragrance smell soapy - if anything it almost gives it an even more edible appearance. None of this makes sense. How on Earth can soap be chewable? Try it and you might know what I’m talking about. Yum.

This is an absolutely gorgeous fragrance. It starts off harsh in my opinion however after the first 5 min it starts to settle into such a wonderful Rose and Oud combination. It is more sharp then Amber Aoud however they share a lot of similarities in my opinion. To me this fragrance is well worth the cost and it absolutely draws attention. It is not overpowering as most Roja fragrances do not fill up a room however this will last 24hrs on skin for me. The only negative note I will say is that this WILL RUIN CLOTHING!! I apply my fragrance and allow a few min prior to putting on my under shirt however when this is applied it looks as if I am going into surgery:-) It looks almost like iodine on your skin. It is very dark and even if you let it dry it WILL transfer some of the oil to your shirt. I actually have undershirts that I wear specifically when I wear any of the Aoud offerings from Roja. I would wear the crystal parfum however I bought the original (red juice) prior to knowing this so if your wear clothing without an under shirt it will absolutely leave a stain that is next to impossible to remove..... It is so worth it though!! AMAZING fragrance from Roja and I can't get enough. Truly stunning.