Xerjoff | The Scented Hound

WHAT I SMELL: Warda Al Oud opens with a thick and heady osmanthus that feels as if it’s dripping off the skin. It’s big, bold, rich and completely overwhelming but in the best possible way. While the main star is the osmanthus, jasmine begins its ascent to the osmanthus mountain by adding hints of the light and bright. After a bit, a buttery note makes its way in making it feel more like a lotion than a perfume. I don’t want to call it pretty at this point, instead it’s beautiful in a seductively exotic, erotic and carnal way. Here the perfume resides for quite some time, it’s rounded and voluptuous and it’s hard to believe that there’s any oud in it because it’s so smooth and just slightly earthy. As the perfume slowly continues to develop, the jasmine and a slightly soapy metallic rose dance intertwined in a lilting manner off of the skin. In the end, Warda Al Oud exquisitely embraces the wearer and anyone lucky enough to be near them.

From the Xerjoff website:

Warda al Oud opens with pungent osmanthus and seductive jasmine. Hints of Cambodian oud and tobacco notes are married to bitter roses and establish their auburn scent reign.

Warda al Oud is an attar composition of condensed metallic rose embracing the smoky oud and musk which intensifies the incense.

OLFACTORY NOTES

- Bergamot
- Osmanthus, Jasmine, Bulgarian & Damascus Rose
- Vanilla, Cambodian Oud, Amber & Musk

Actress Peggy Drake, 1941.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Seduction.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE WARDA AL OUD: thickened, creamy, rapturous

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WARDA AL OUD: Scented Intuitions

BOTTOM LINE: It is very rare for me to make a blind buy anymore. But this offering was on sale and combined with a very generous coupon allowed for this beauty to end up in my collection. I was a bit worried that with “oud” in the name the perfume would be too heavy, but Cambodian Oud is much softer and that’s very true in this case. Warda Al Oud is so wonderfully beautiful and it blooms off the skin in the hot environment that I live in without becoming cloying and heavy. But what I love most about this perfume is that it stays with you in a very quiet manner throughout the day and into the evening…and even the next morning. Actually, it’s like a haunting tune that you can’t get out of your head.

Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Amber
Nose: Chris Maurice
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $225 for 10 ml attar

WHAT I SMELL: Oesel opens like the dawn of a new day with a creamy, smooth, layered orange blossom. It’s as if the sun warmed blossoms have exploded with their fragrant projection just at the peak of the late morning. The florals are rich, thick and bountiful without being overtly juicy or sweet. The mix of florals including jasmine, mimosa and Bulgarian rose are blended as if they were carried in the most fragrant nosegay and are melded so seamlessly as to defy you to be able to distinguish them, but for the voluminous orange blossom. In addition, Oesel is warm and full of bright yellow hazy sun and when smelled on the skin, the perfume retreats to the depth of your lungs. After a while, a consistent and dried wood begins to float under the orange blossom giving the perfume an added dimension with just the slightest of dirt and earth. Oesel is golden in every sense of the word.

From Fragrantica –

Oesel perfume from the Shooting Stars Collection is a symphony of bright and rich notes perfectly mixed with the best raw ingredients. Orange blossom and petitgrain from Paraguay lead the path to the heart of Bulgarian rose and Sambac jasmine, which are skillfully wrapped in sophisticated mimosa and white flowers. Graceful result of this mixed breed is the ambery wooden base of Indian patchouli, cedar and tobacco flower, which exudes the character, depth and persistence.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: An orange blossom boutounniere…the perfect perfume for your wedding day.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OESEL: rapturous, uplifting, joyous

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OESEL: Now Smell This, CaFleureBon, Confessions of a Perfume Nerd

BOTTOM LINE: I finally set forth cleaning up my office and the stash of perfume samples that were invading every corner of the room. There were quite a few of the perfumes I didn’t even realize I had in my possession. So off came the tops of many for a quick smell. Oesel was the loveliest of surprises and I wish I had tested it sooner. In fact I loved it so much so that the next day I purchased a bottle. How’s that for an endorsement?!

Bone Rating: 5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Oriental Floral
Classification: Marketed for men, but could easily be worn by a woman.
Expense: Varied…mid $200 for 100 ml eau de parfum