L'Oudh

When I sprayed this on paper my first impression was uncontrallable AAAHHHH sound that came out of my mouth. This one gave me a sudden and loud olfactory orgasm. Right now I'm wearing this on my skin for the first time. The opening smelled like a plastic toy for a quarter of a second, then like rubber, dirtier rubber and after that it developed more and more leathery, dirty, animalistic. In my mind I saw visions of horses in dark wooden stalls, and later, of wild horses running in the vastness of Mongolia and of the nomads that are dependent on those horses. Suddenly there was a flood of familiarity, nostalgia and comfort - very tauer-esque comforting and LOVEABLE beauty and warmness. A comforting, protective wild animal you want to hug and fall asleep next to. There's wilderness, dirtiness, but absolutely nothing threatening. So comforting and familiar it makes me cry. This scent feels like home to me in some very primitive way. I've always felt somehow like a wolf child and I've always had the desire to run into the wilderness and never come back. It's a bit ironic that something as sophisticated and posh as the art of perfumery can remind me of that deep desire to dedomesticate myself. Oh well, maybe one day I live in a yurt faraway in the wilderness with few Tauer bottles reminding me of the few good things in this crazy modern society that is heading to it's own destruction. L'Oudh is absolutely beautiful, comforting, natural, deeply loveable, wild, earthy, dirty and erotic. Like the most perfect lover it's making me feel safe and loved while keeping me excited, wild and lustful at the same time. I'm wearing this for the first time, but without a hesitation I can declare it to be one of my all time favourites.

Hear me out here but this is a far superior forest scent than, say, Norn. Oud's nature as decaying wood beams out from this creation, and the patchouli (gorgeous and complex here) wraps everything in rich, deep earth. It's so strange. I don't smell any Tauerade. And while I usually find something highly constructed about Tauer fragrances, L'oudh has a natural sprezzatura to it. It's kind of astonishing. Definitely one of his best and something to try even if you don't love his usual work. Yeah, there is a smell which I can see reading as "burning tires." It's mostly at the beginning; as it dries down, it gets deeper and more and more beautiful. I actually don't get an exotic vibe from this at all, but a wild one (yes to everything militanttihintti writes!). Additionally, L'oudh lasts forever but, to my nose, has only modest projection. No one will feel assaulted by a sparing application of this fragrance and it is way more accessible than reviews make it sound. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is it doesn't have that "universal perfume smell" that untrained noses seem to hate. It's more like an olfactory effect. Another is that it really does smell very natural. My six-year-old is a little precocious in his fragrance choices, so take this with a grain of salt, but he loves L'oudh while shunning the real Thai oud I have in the house. To the reviewers who rejoice over the lack of rose here, I will say: I get it! And there'd be no way to add more rose without disrupting the "forest bathing" experience. But that said, try eating rosewater loukhoum while wearing L'oudh. It will blow your mind.

L'Oudh from Tauer Perfumes. Hands down my favorite from the house and one of my favorite uses of oud in a more or less commercial offering on the market. The house is a hit or miss for me, but this little fellow hits the spot. To my nose, the perfume is not an oud-centric composition but rather uses the material to pull off an overall accord that feels larger than the sum of its parts. This perfume is dark, bitter, dry, and earthy. There's nothing pretty about it. Zero sweetness. The best way I can describe it is the smell of an old carpet found in a castle ruin right in the middle of a thick, old forest. Seriously now, it does smell like an old carpet. It has this betel leaf-like bitterness, a vivid earthiness from both the oud and the mushroom, and a slightly chewy quality from the resins. The castoreum is brilliantly used to suggest a leather accord, while the cypriol rounds off the composition and completes the "Oud Accord". I dislike cypriol in perfumes when it's poorly blended as I struggle with the ingredient, but here, it doesn't bother me one bit. The fragrance is monolithic and linear. What you get on the first spray is what you're left with for the rest of the day. Usually, I'm not a fan of that as I get bored rather quickly, however, when the smell and the vision the scent portrays are so well placed, as in this case, I love that it doesn't change. I would place this perfume in my "special" category under the "Medieval Perfumes" moniker. Scents that smell old, dark, and ancient. And that's exactly what you'll get with this one. IG:@memory.of.scents

This was in my Tauer discovery kit which I recommend for the little high quality and vintage looking sample case alone. (Literally exactly what I was looking for light travel with multiple scents and the main reason I got it as I've been wanting to try L'Oudh for years.) Even so, I was surprised at what a stand out this was for me. IN LOVE with this Oud! Yes, I can see how it is challenging for some, but I just wanted to press my face against it. I used to take care of horses and it smells like a room full of expensive yet used saddles. Like planting your face deep in the well worn leather, the old sweat (not fresh or skanky somehow though?), fresh horse manure is in there too which I love the smell of (not feces in general, just horse manure), the oils used to clean leather, all blended together. I've never experienced an oud or another fragrance like this. I am buying it just to sniff from time to time as it is so deep and grounding and evokes wonderful memories of taking care of horses, but I think it will also be great for fall and winter evening layering. I wouldn't wear it alone, but a certain type of quiet, natural, confident, masculine guy could wear it alone.

Tauer Perfumes L'Oudh is a masterclass in balance and intrigue. This is not your typical oud fragrance—it’s refined, restrained, and remarkably well-composed. The oud here is present but never overpowering, offering a smooth, elegant take on a note that often dominates. There’s a subtle animalic edge that adds depth and complexity, hinting at something primal beneath the surface. Incense weaves through the composition, lending a smoky, meditative quality that enhances the mysterious aura. It’s this interplay of oud, smoke, and shadowy resins that gives L’Oudh its unique character. While not the most versatile scent—this is not your everyday spritz—it excels in moments that call for sophistication and presence. It’s long-lasting with moderate projection, making it ideal for intimate evenings or contemplative solitude. L’Oudh evokes a sense of anticipation, like stepping into a dimly lit room filled with secrets. It’s a fragrance that speaks softly but leaves a lasting impression—an olfactory signature for those who appreciate artistry over trend.