The Oud

I got a 10 mL sample of this and have been testing it the last 2 days. So far this and Essence Rare are my favourites of the line and I have tried them all now. I liked 1 but the leather note was too strong for me and it came across to me as super masculine as a result. This one is very different. It opens with some short lived citrus notes and it doesn't take long before rose, patchouli and clove are evident with a light touch of something leathery, but light and more like suede in the background. The oud accord is detectable but it is a cleaner out like you find in FdB Parisian. Eventually clove and saffron peak through. There is also something slightly smoky but also sweet in the base, which makes the rose warm and inviting rather than aggressive or prickly. It has a dark sexy mesmerising dry down to die for. I would compare it to Kilian Rose Oud which has a lot of similar notes and sexiness/wearability, mixed with Portrait of a Lady because of the rose patchouli combo. Edit: @updog - I agree that 4 is the best...I just bought it last night as my first PdV after getting a sample just a few days ago. It is totally unique and can't be compared to much else on the market, while many of the others have some overlap with other fragrances, such as 9, which I also got a sample of a few days ago; it is like Uden, but with worse performance. Still quite nice, though.

wow, as usual roja showing a masterful blend. Very eastern, very good

My one of the best in the line Very nice composition

If you like oud fragrances and you like roja, this one is definitely worth a blind buy. @acorn, 4 is possibly the best one. I also haven’t sampled 9.

Not my cup of tea really. It's like Rojas UAE with slightly more florals. DM me for swap.

Another sublime Roja Dove creation. The oud opens in an intensely floral fashion; think characteristic Roja dove bergamot for about two seconds, supplemented by this top/heart of these harmonious floral notes. Rose is very prominent and so is the Ylang to me, whilst the magnolia acts as this kind of supporting element in harmony with the jasmine. The base notes are really very cohesive and tough to individually pick out - I wish to stress, here, that there is oud in this, contrary to the idea that this is perfume predicated solely on synthetics. An accord is a construct based on multiple things - most contemporary perfumery is based off of accords given the restrictions on raw materials! Further, though, I should emphasise that Roja Dove is not a perfumer known for synthetics - I think all Roja fans can attest to his use of and love for naturals. Enough digression. This is splendid. Expensive, no doubt, but I love it. You need very little, too - super performance, absolutely stellar. One thing I think I like so much about this is its versatility - it is, I think, a more fresh oud, and that allows for wear in slightly warmer weather. When the summer really does arrive I shall try it in that, too - I see it working. The PdV collection, generally, are very very good, and understated too.

Fresh opening but not too sweet, The geranium / citrus is held back by the dark rose and undercurrent of oud / patchouli. Nice opening but mid and dry downs to me is where the really nice rose fragrance appears. POAL but more of a sweeter, summery rose? Not sure about the oud part of it. No skank or ruggedness, just refined. It’s delicious, wearable, natural and signature.

How you guys gonna pay close to £500 for something that has only an oud accord in it. Some cultist followers right there. Mr bird got you hook line and sinker

The best oud-centered fragrance I’ve smelled so far, period. Very much unisex.