Grape Pearls

My first sampling of The House of Oud is Grape Pearls, a 2016 release, which I figured I’d like based on the note breakdown and reception to date. As its notes suggest, it incorporates fruity touches with the eponymous grapes and blueberry, over what is a fairly dominant heart/base of rose, vanilla, and coffee. It’s sweet and enjoyable, mostly gourmand with some green and floral touches, but overall, an enjoyable foody floral experience. The coffee is not a particularly strong coffee but feels more of latte in concert with the rose and vanilla. I’d see the comparisons to Montale Intense Café but was, as always, skeptical about those comparisons, as sometimes they’re exaggerated. In this case, however, Grape Pearls is reasonably close to Intense Café. There’s a very similar rose/vanilla/coffee commonality that should be expected by anyone that tries this. Grape Pearls is sold, along with other fragrances from The House of Oud, at Luckyscent for its retail pricing of $220 for 75ml, but is currently on discount side FragranceX for $161.50, alternatively. It’s a tough sell considering that it is, in my estimation, at least 80% similar to Intense Café, which usually comes much cheaper than Grape Pearls, often under $100 for a 100ml bottle. That said, the House of Oud’s presentation, which I’ve not seen in person yet but the topheaviness I’ve marveled from afar, is more elaborate than Montale’s (or Mancera’s), if that matters, which it doesn’t much to me. Overall, though a very enjoyable fragrance and quite a neat nod to gourmand and rose lovers, though the context of the existence of Intense Café does take away some from the jubilation of wearing it. I won’t be buying it, as I already have Intense Café, but would encourage others to try it. 8 out of 10

Grape Pearls çiçeksi, meyveli, gurme bir parfüm. Parfümün notalarında yer alan gül ve kahve notaları özellikle açılışında Montale Intense Cafe, Mancera Roses Vanille, Tiziana Terenzi Delox ve Xerjoff K’Bridge Club ile benzerlikler taşısa da, kuruyuşa geçtiğinde üzüm ve yaban mersinini hissetmeye başlıyorsunuz. Kuruyuşundaki bu farklılık ve vanilya notasının da belirgin bir şekilde varlığını hissettirmesi, benzediği diğer kokulardan ayrılmasını sağlıyor. Ayrıca meyve notalarının varlığı ve vanilyanın daha fazla hissedilmesi onu benzetildiği kokulara göre daha feminen de kılıyor. Kalıcılık ve yayılım açısından orta derecede bir parfüm. İlkbahar ve özellikle yaz aylarında tercih ettiğim bir koku. Bu dönemlerde 5-6 saate yakın kalıcılık gösterirken, yayılım olarak ise ilk saatlerde çok tatmin edici. Ancak ardından kalıcılık süresinin sonuna kadar tene yakın bir hal alarak varlığını sürdürüyor.

A suggestion of oud is contained in here even though it's not one of the notes. Grape Pearls is like Montale Intense Cafe but much better done - the coffee is actually present here, the rose and sweetness toned down slightly. There's also a lot of blueberry to my nose, reminding me of a raspberry-mocha latte. In quality and style, this is very much like an Amouage. The sillage and longevity are colossal; while the jammy rose is something I have to suffer through in the 20-minute or so opening, the drydown is worth it as it morphs into creamy berry coffee. 10/10!

I get that this is similar to Intense Cafe, but this is gorgeous in its own way. I mean look at the bottle! Delicious grapes and a deep rose that reminds me of the rose in Oud Bouquet. I think it stands well on its own from Intense Cafe. It has a deep, sweet twist unlike any other. Definitely a gourmand! One of the coziest smells I’ve ever come across. I imagine sitting in front of a fireplace wrapped in a warm blanket, and having grape pearls on. I appreciate both!

this smells like delicious blueberry jam mixed with a cup of strong wildberry tea and I am VERY pleased with that combo. there are not enough grape perfumes in this world. i'll counter the "jammy rose" point by saying this was 80% jam, 20% rose for me. I love a lil jammy rose moment no matter what so I don't even care either way I loveee it