Harrods Aoud

I had the opportunity to purchase a 100ml bottle for a bargain price. It was more of a blind buy, which I wasn't too sure about after reading the reviews below, which honestly are a mixed bag. Personally, I am a big Roja fanboy and UAE Aoud is my favourite Roja Dova perfume. So I was sure Roja wouldn't let me down and I went ahead with the bling purchase. As soon as the bottle arrived, I gave a couple of sprays on my arm, and needless to say, Roja didn't let me down. It is not your typical oud type of fragrance. It is more of Cedarwood mixed with Rose & Vanilla. I find the scent very irresistible. I must say the cedarwood note is top notch. Apart from perfumes, I collect dress shoes and I have a lot of cedarwood shoe trees in my house. Whenever a fresh pair of shoe tree comes in, I like to sniff the scent of cedarwood off the shoe tree. And this Roja Harrods Aoud reminds me of exactly the same scent. I am a big fan of Oud & Woody notes, so I am really enjoying the cedarwood note in this perfume. I understand this perfume might not be for everyone. It is not your typical Oud perfume, but if you are in for a Roja masterclass on how to mix Cedarwood with Rose, I would say go for it.

Harrods Aoud reminds me of beautiful Arabia. Gulf breezes, deluxe roses, ever present incense. By medicinal, possibly reviewers intend to align this type of oud with city diaspora and thus, clinical? Certainly the move from sand to cement involves a few modern metallics; watches, umbrellas, bedknobs, and bits. Amari bitters in the opening, phenomenally fresh, make way for classic myrrh and frankincense. Cinnamon and santal might sweeten this oud for you in warmer weather, though Harrods Aoud proves timeless for Birkenstock moments behind a selfie stick, a night of darts, and yes it is friendly enough to close accounts! My heartfelt suggestion is that you use this with reckless abandon wherever you are and teetotal everything else!

I feel that I must have bought a new formulation because the juice I have is almost black - more reminiscent to the standard Aoud in color. I did purchase it at Harrods so I am confident of its authenticity. This version sits close to the skin and isn't overpowering. It does last (about 8-10hrs), but it won't demand attention, as it becomes a skin scent at around the 2/3hr mark. I love this scent, it is easily my favorite in my collection now. I just wish it would be a little more audacious in it's strength. But I suppose some scents are better when they aren't suffocating you. Scent 10/10 - signature scent worthy Value 8/10 - nothing else smells this good, just wish it I could show it off a little more.

An intriguing Oud fragrance with a spicy woody scent rather than an Oud-centered Oriental. The fragrance begins with citrus, aldehydes, and artemisia. It has a short rose heart before settling into a powdery wood spice base with cinnamon, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, elemi, cypriol, oud, olibanum, ambrette, and synthetic musk notes. The connection to Guerlains Oud is undeniable. Highly adaptable, with limited projection but incredible lifespan.

Harrods Aoud suprised me. It doesn’t smell as I expected it to if I’m being completely honest. It opens with this green, airy and almost soapy trio of citrus, aldehydes and artemisia before developing an iconic Mai Rose at the heart. Not long after, you’re greeted by a very smooth and spicy cinnamon alongside a thick and resinous dose of frankincense. As the scent begins to settle, that’s when you start to notice the oud. This scent doesn’t come across as thick or oily as the other Aouds, and considering the note breakdown also lists cypriol, patchouli and guaiac wood (materials all used to make an oud accord) im wondering how much oud has actually been used here, if any. Overall you’re left with a very masculine and aromatic scent profile with deep, earthy woods and soapy florals to contrast. The quality here is obviously fantastic, but all in all the actual scent profile isn’t my favourite. If I found a bottle for a good price I’d go for it but this is by far my least favourite from the Aoud line. It’s a lovely woody masculine scent, but it seems to lack Roja’s signature flair.