Crop 2022

Solid review by rbalkris below. What I mainly get is a fresh-aromatic scent driven by mint, with a very prominent barnyardy oud in the base. There are warm spices, but they are not as sharp as you would think - nothing like a standard amber fragrance that is dominated by elemi or anything like that. It dries very clearly masculine and I started to notice smokiness too which isn't really what I wanted from this (the opening was more interesting). Occasionally you do get some sweetness from the cardamom which gives it a slight bakery vibe, but this is by no means a gourmand. From the Crops that I've tried, just comparing opens or first 20 or so minutes, I would say 2016 smelled better than this (which was oud, mint & tea). Somewhat surprisingly, there is not a single Crop that is nuclear in projection. Most of them are average at around 6/10 to 8/10 for sillage, with longevity between 7/10 (~8h) to 9/10 (~12h). This performance would basically allow you to wear it in more than just winter. To me, the value IS NOT THERE price-wise, and I'm not entirely sure if the uniqueness edge is as prominent as I was expecting either.

Is there any point to review this lightning-in-a-bottle? A limited edition of 459, at a price I would never pay for a single perfume ... showing up at fragrancebuy for ~60% off, which even then might be the most I’ve ever paid for a single bottle (nevermind for a blind buy)! But being an unreconstructed oud obsessive, loving the notes, and at a moment in my life that I just wanted to treat myself, I took the punt. And happily this was love at first sniff, and it’s become my hands-down favourite for the fall. I’m not getting the animalic scent I’m familiar with from other ouds (say those from Dior, Xerjoff, Dusita etc). No barnyard or blue cheese or otherwise fermented aspects. Rather I’m getting the smoke of burning agarwood chips, with roasted coffee and dark chocolate, enriched with spices and brightened with mint. This is rich, expensive-smelling, a total love for me and easily a high-water mark blind buy experience that’ll somewhat spoil any future ones for me.

Enchanting woody aromatic scent. Every year The House of Oud releases a limited simple perfume combining their latest obtained batch of oud with one or two interesting ingredients. Some work (such as the 2019 combination with Palo Santo). Some misfire (such as the 2020 combination with coconut). This 2022 combines the Kalimantan Oud with a minty spicy top (cardamom, mint, cloves) and a aromatic coffee and cinnamon laden heart, The result is gourmandish aromatic bliss that is indulgent and satisfying. The masculine leaning scent has moderate projection and good longevity. Enjoy!

This is quite disappointing. All of the elements are here for a boozy, minty reverie, but this is an unbalanced load, and not a particularly pleasurable experience. There's an appealing minty/spicy note hiding behind the alcohol, but it's being chased around by an ashy, woody midnote. Comments from the office: "it smells like burnt hair" (it does, sort of). "I'm sorry, David, but I'm not into that at all". (I sort of agree). The silver lining: I like it better than I did the first time I tried it. Too expensive to for a blind buy; will not appeal to many. The bottle is lovely, though.

The reviews on this seemed mostly negative so I picked it up hoping I could find something enjoyable about it. It opens up with an almost mint chocolate feel. Once it dries down though, you get kind of a burnt hair thing. This is for people specifically looking for weird and funky. I highly doubt this would ever receive compliments and in fact may get you negative comments instead. You have been warned.