Splendid Wood

Not just Splendid - it's Superlative. SUPERB. An absolute dreamboat of a scent. I approached this with caution (blind buy of a partial bottle of a supposedly 'male' fragrance) and then fell drastically, permanently in love with it. The name actually put me off (never trust anyone or anything that keeps repeating how great s/he/it is) until I got my first sniff and realised they'd been totally underselling this. It's a masterpiece. I could wrack my brains for a decade trying to come up with words to convey its harmony and opulence - all golden shimmer and luxury - and yet how it still smells of a sere, unforgiving desert at the same time. One of the most beautiful opens imaginable - enough kick in the incense and cardamom to be clear without cloying, cypriol that's dry and deeply aromatic without hitting you in the adenoids with a big wooden plank, the darker woods also present and correct - mellow, polished, forceful yet never overwhelming. Guaiac (?) and oud giving just the right tang of medicine and tiny tiny tincture of a tinge of antiseptic as well. Everything held in such perfect balance that this is to me 100% unisex and appropriate for anything. Ooooooozes class and taste and beauty. It manages that trick of seeming sweet - because everything is just so good - without being at all sugared, or even having much of a honey note either. THIS ONE is everything I really wanted Lubin Galaad to be, but wasn't. Moderate sillage and projection ... obviously I'd prefer both to be turned up to 11 but it's all in keeping with this scent's civilised and tasteful character to be set at 'just right' rather than 'hmm, a little too much maybe?'. This smells far too distinctive to be called discreet or restrained, but it definitely doesn't overstep the mark. (Maybe that's just as well, with my shameless lust for it and the way I keep throwing myself at its feet.) It is in one sense a 'mainstream' fragrance - it's not really weird or challenging in any direction - but it's also tantalisingly close to absolute perfection. Now I am a crazed woodswoman, hog wild and mad for anything smelling of living or dead tree, but if you have any interest at all in luxurious orientals you can and must try this wonderful elixir. It makes my knees go weak. Want to climb this thing like a giant oak and never leave it.

From this collection I own Noble leather and this juice. I was surprised when I tried it, it kept drawing me back. I found this fragrance to go on my skin silky smooth and a refind aroma of wood notes with a definite musk vib thou it's not listed. After it settles, there's a hint of spicy/peppery base coming from the smokey note adding depth to this fragrance. Longevity and Silage is very high...it lasts longer than 10hrs and you're able to smell this juice at least 1 1/2 ft away. If you enjoy a mix of wood notes with a definite smokey incense aroma without it being cloying or overpowering....this juice is perfect fit. I was fortunate to buy this fragrance lower than what the store's were selling it at. This has the quality of a niche fragrance...Overall 8/10 Before I forget, I want to advise anyone who's thinking of buying any of these fragrance from this collection . ..DO not to wait! I was told by several who work for YSL. They'll be changing the package and disconnecting several.

This is NOTHING like the regular YSL line. Not only is it niche quality in every way, the two I have tried (this and Majestic Rose) from the Oriental Collection are superior to a lot of them as far as potency, staying power and an overall luxurious feel. Splendid Wood is just that - splendid. Mildly spicy and woody and the oud isn't overdone. I love the incense used in this. There is a bit of freshness to SW that keeps it from feeling heavy. I wore this in the middle of the summer (in the south) and it did not feel too heavy at all. I think it would be better in cooler months though. Leans masculine. But completely female friendly for those who like a woody scent. I really like this a lot. I thought this line would smell main stream with a slight twist (sort of on the order of Trish McEvoy Black Rose and Oud, which I love but is more of a mainstream/niche hybrid). But it really does feel full on niche and the quality is superior. I'm very impressed!

This fragrance is a great example of good things come to those who wait. Although if you're like me, this one might push you to your edge of what you'll tolerate before the payoff. Splendid Wood begins with an opening blast of medicinal, antiseptic oud and perhaps cypriol oil. Imagine a band aid soaked in iodine. But, just as I was wondering if this will scrub off with soap, the drydown began. The medicinal oud dies down quickly, and the other prime time players in this frag take center stage. The cardamom, jasmine and other woods combine to present very similarly to legends like M7 and Miyake Noir Ambre, which are two loves of mine. I lucked out with finding a 2014 batch bottle of this for a crazy good price and I'm extremely happy I did. The oud does push me to my comfort limits, but ultimately this is a smooth, creamy wood scent with warmth and sweetness and spice enhanced with great cardamom. Definitely recommend.

Best perfume in line, 10/10 The quality of this scent is insane, that explains the high price, but I do believe the reason this fantastic perfume is almost discontinued has to be because is an expensive perfume for a designer brand, but as I wrote before, for me the price is justified by the quality, the perfect blend and the performance. I was looking for a woody scent to replace the Gucci pour Homme 1 perfume because I love cedar and incense, so when, by chance, I found this perfume, I was obsessed. Very smooth oud and intense cedar notes that are balanced with exquisite cardamom and rose. The cedar is a prominent note, so elegant, so sexy, the oud is a very pleasant and elegant oud, is not a prominent note, is just there to give depth and balance.