Oud Alif

It's funny how my nose "develops" over time. Not in the physical sense of course, but when I first smelled this, I thought it was a cloying mess. Then the owner of a well known niche house told me, "niche fragrances tell a story, they are not to be discovered while standing at the counter and spaying on a tester strip, they are to be discovered and unfold piece by piece." This statement makes so much sense and is why I am so into niche now and is all I collect. This stuff is just complex. It's sweet, but it's not. It's oud note is very strong and let's you know it's there at all times of the composition. I think the saffron note compliments the oud in a great way and the dark chocolate keeps things sweet and dark. The patch is what makes all this seem complicated because it's there but I can't detect it as a note, it's like it blends with the other notes to make its own note. Very very interesting juice. It makes me want to see what else this house has to offer.

Stunning creation. This smells like a £300 niche perfume and I can’t believe I bought it at M&S ! The ingredients list on the website seems to insinuate these are at least 90% natural which to my nose is clear. The patchouli in this is incredible and one I can only compare to perfumes I have in my collection that cost £200+ and it’s done so well. This is a Smokey masculine feel and rich formula not for the faint hearted. The chocolate note shouldn’t fool you here, it’s clearly been used to round out that opening to simply prepare you for what’s to come. For the price, the journey this perfume takes you on is nothing but a masterpiece. No wonder these guys have upped the price recently from £65 to £85 a 30% price increase because if you know you know. Buy it if you like dark, dusty, Smokey, old, decrepit, haunting vibes. Not mass appealing. I love it.

Recently given a 10ml sample, and more or less immediately purchased the full bottle. I've encountered broadly similar creations for a decade or more, but this is far away the best crafted that I've tried in a very long time. I like oud – but never in combination with rose. From the instance of application, ascendant notes are oud, incense, and dark chocolate – the latter to my surprise lasting well into the dry down. At some point saffron, leather and patchouli subtly entwine for an intriguing artisanal totality. Projection and longevity seem decent. Linear for the duration. For someone who has petitioned against vivisection, the ethics of Shay & Blue is a powerful draw. No hesitation heaping maximum praise on this one.

This is a really, really good oud fragrance and not because it stands out but rather that it doesn't. I let out the obligatory oud sigh of appreciation so it scores on that front. Oud Alif is so smooth and well done, it does have a leather quality to it and a creamy patchouli, I found it very impressive. A gourmand oud is how I'd describe it and understandable considering the rest of Shay & Blue's fragrances have that Food or at least fruit twist. Performance was good but never in your face and the price won't break the bank either. The theme of this house is wearable scents and this one is certainly that. Brilliant stuff!

I bought a few samples to go along with Salt Caramel as that's the one I really wanted to smell and I'm so glad I did. I love this, on me and on my bf. I'd say its perfectly unisex with the Oud and some rich sweetness coming from the chocolate. This one to me smells incredibly well blended and everything just *works*. If you don't like patchouli, obviously you aren't going to enjoy this. Very smooth and elegant vibes for both male and female tastes. On opening my BF did say he felt it a bit feminine but the dry-down changed his mind. Its more my cup of tea than his so I will happily wear it :)