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.

I'm not drawn to oud scents, and in my Tauer sample set L'Oudh intimidated me the most. The opening was challenging for me-- smoky burnt rubber, melted plastic, earthy mushrooms, bitter greens, dry leather, medicinal aromatics, something funky/musty and shadowy --but these impressions only last a few minutes when applied to the skin. (On fabric, I haven't yet gotten the nerve.) Then L'Oudh becomes surprisingly soft. It is softer than the Tauer attar, though L'Oudh is much less floral and more dry. There's a smooth powderiness that makes it approachable. The dark opening notes nest themselves and give depth, contrast, and nuance to a bright incense ribbon woven throughout the long drydown. It's discreet but distinct, comfortable but not lacking character or adornment. I don't feel as if the perfume is wearing me or taking me along on a trip. This is not a Magic Carpet Ride. I can't compare to other oud-forward compositions, but for me this was a very enjoyable introduction to the material.

I couldn’t wait to try Tauer’s oud after experiencing his incredible attar. I like this very much. It's less floral than the attar and more focused on dark wood. Begins like oud, raisins whose sugars have been removed, and slightly burnt rubber. Kind of makes me think of the scent of brand-new tires or new car interiors too. There is nothing sweet in this bottle. I was having flashbacks to Tauer's Hyacinth and a Mechanic and the motor oil/grease scent of it. One must truly appreciate the “skid marks” aspect to enjoy this fragrance. I certainly do! As it warms on my skin, I notice a strong scent of mushrooms! Very realistic, almost uncomfortably so, bringing such a dank feel to the fragrance. I pick up a good dose of myrrh throughout, bitterly woody and a little smoky. The imagery is of a member of the Hell's Angels riding his bike through the Arabian desert at night. You can smell the motor oil burning off his bike, and he's sweaty and doesn't give a shit.

A beautiful animalic/incensy oud fragrance, better worn during colder days instead of evenings imo. I can see a remote similarity with Le Labo Oud 27 (even if they are far from being identical). Oud is the main player here (oh really?), with a strong support of saffron (not listed) and myrrh, within other notes. The castoreum note is present but subtle, and that associated with the cypriol note will have the oud express a mushroom-ish facet. The oud here is very similar to the one used in Roja fragrances, and the drydwon even reminds me remotely of Roja Musk Aoud. Projection is average/good (getting some whiffs in the first 90 mins). A masterpiece, unfortunately priced like a masterpiece, that is even higher than the already expensive regular collection of Tauer. Will have to pass on that one because of economic reasons, but if you can afford it, you may want to try it. Only for trained noses! Fall/Winter days, 30+

Definitely a challenging but compelling wear. Takes about an hour or two to lose the initial gasoline/tar/tire smell on my skin, which I enjoy but is loud and slightly overstays its welcome. It becomes quite close to the skin past the initial phase. The drydown is where it's really at as it perfectly showcases the nuances of the natural Oud. We get the woody, mushroomy, earthy, and mossy facets interplaying beautifully. I don't detect the supporting notes at any point, they must be doing something but as far as I'm concerned this is basically a soliflore. One of the most earnest take on Oud, it completely makes sense that Tauer would go this minimal route to explore it. Barely a perfume but doesn't need to do anything more, amazing stuff.

This one grew and grew on me and I am officially in LOVE with this inky, resinous and savory beast. It’s so sexy. Definitely challenging to the uninitiated. This has a lot of life in it but it isn’t loud or obnoxious. It’s almost sexually arousing. At first I thought it couldn’t be enjoyed on its own and tried to tame it with a sweet floral rose punch from Une Rose Vermeille, but I like it neat just as well these days. I had to date this fragrance first. And while we didn’t hit it off the first couple of go rounds, he eventually won me over. Currently engaged with a Tauer miniature. I think when that runs out we’ll get married and invest in the 50ml. 10/10.

Just got my hands on a sample this evening. Dense and STRONG in the opening, almost like paint thinner. I love Orto Parisi Megamare and have worn Stercus a number of times, but this is the first fragrance that I couldn’t bury my nose into. It mellows quickly, however, and becomes a mildly sweet, animalic scent. An entertaining experience, but not something I’d want to smell like, ever. EDIT: 2 months later, this fragrance has calmed considerably. It reminds me of a 1970's-style musk, very masculine and not overly spiced. Not my personal style, but a well-constructed and enjoyable scent.

How dark, musty, wet smell has this Oud by Tauer! His distinct signature is present. To me, all Tauer’s perfumes have something that tells you they are creations from this very talented man. He waited some time before joining the Oud Caravan and he didn’t give in to any compromise. Most of the ingredients are natural and the Oud comes with a certificate of authenticity. All other ingredients were added to emphasize the Oud and to give a darker impression. The note of mushrooms is standing out and makes it almost edible... Longevity and projection are above average

Oppulent, operatic and beautiful, this is oud Tauer style: an outspoken, high quality oud shimmering on one of his signature oriental bases. WOW! In here, ouds fecal, animalic beauty shines through from top to bottom, while its resinous smokiness is ornamented by a gorgeous patchouli, ambegris and exotic balsams. Luminous, golden and.....well......skanky, it will warm you in winter and will add voluptuousness to your summer...... Sillage is moderate (if you apply lightly, like me), but longevity is 12 hours +. I LOVE it ;-)

This perfume has some of the darkest natural oud I’ve ever smelled. For me, It smells like walking through a very dark forest in the Himalayas while smoking a dark oud cigar and wearing a vintage leather jacket that has been splashed with gasoline and has dirt all over it. Masterpiece, in my opinion. (This is not your classic Middle Eastern take on oud) I dislike those very much, so if you’re looking for an oud perfume that’s different and very dark, elegant, dirty, and evil, this is all you need.

I have several Oud based fragrances. This may be the best one. I love Al Khatt and Alexandria II from Xerjoff. This smells like Al Khatt without the barnyard element. Really nice, clean, not at all fecal Oud. Absolutely beautiful. Also very dense. The sillage seems moderate at most but this stuff is strong so I would definitely keep the sprays to a minimum. A little goes a long way.

Dank. At first, I get the "new carpet" smell others are mentioning. It's ultra concentrated wood oil - sharp like walking into a cedar closet or opening a cigar box. Then it dries down to animal musk, funk, shiitake. I've never smelled anything like it. Picture an old tomb in Potala Palace. Not sure I can pull this one off. Tauer is a mad genius.

For those who've been around the block enough to recognise that the apparently barbaric Afrika Olifant is actually a gentle little pussycat, this is the same notion but with gasoline, chemical savagery. I admit I have only smelled it from a card strip but it's truly brutal, not sure I'd bother to test it on skin (inevitably I will lol).

One of my top five fragrances. Woody, animalic, earthy with a unique turpentine note that gives L’Oudh an industrial/medicinal quality. In the same camp as Jovoy Private Label. A masterpiece from Andy Tauer.

I managed to obtain a precious Hamdani bottle. They do smell alike, but L'oudh gets to this smell via real oud. I don't think Hamdani has real oud, just accords that makes it reach L'oudh heights

Starts off like raw leather that’s been splashed with gasoline. Dries down to something beautiful and golden. I don’t get any barnyard note from it at all.