Dark Aoud by Maison Alhambra

A soft scent of domesticated oud with sandalwood and cardamom; the pepper is present, but not as intense as most people mention. It’s an update of Woody Oud; it’s not just that they changed the name and packaging—here, the oud note has become less delicate. On the other hand, the bottle is much better, and the cap finally has an acceptable click, unlike its predecessor. Postscript: it’s 70% similar to Oud for Glory, but while that one has a lavender tone that gives it a very clean character, this one is a sourer, rougher wood. As for its scent, it’s not for getting compliments, not for parties, much less for the office, and for the love of God, not for the gym. This perfume smells of formality and seriousness; it’s more serious than a shootout in a small elevator, the perfume Barty Crouch Sr. would wear in Harry Potter. Longevity: about 5 hours; fortunately, a soft sillage that conveys depth and sobriety without scaring anyone. If you walk into a church wearing this, you won’t knock the rosary out of any nun’s hands, but you will make her pray harder while you see that she won’t dare turn her neck.

A soft, domesticated oud aroma with sandalwood and cardamomo; the pepper is there but not as strong as others claim. It’s an update to Woody Oud, not just a name and bottle change—the oud note here is less delicate. Plus, the bottle is much better, and the cap finally has an acceptable click, unlike the previous one. P.S.: It’s about 70% similar to Oud for Glory, but while that one has a lavender tone giving it a very clean character, this is a grayer, rougher wood. As for the scent, it’s not for getting compliments, partying, or the office, for the love of God, nor the gym. This perfume smells like formality and seriousness; it’s more serious than a shootout in a small elevator, the kind of scent Barty Crouch Sr. would wear in Harry Potter. Lasts about 5 hours, with a soft trail fortunately allowing you to convey depth and sobriety without scaring anyone. If you show up to church with this, you won’t knock a nun’s rosary off, but you’ll make her pray harder while you watch her dare not turn her neck.

Tested on skin from a decant. It is a perfume that, although not for everyone, due to the oud and the strong impact it causes on the nose, is interesting and original. It is a medicinal oud, with a sweet touch that is not cloying. It is not a perfume that everyone will like, but for personal use and for being out of the ordinary, it is extraordinary. It smells better in the air and in the trail you leave than when sniffing up close. It has convinced me and I am about to buy it. Elegant, sophisticated, for casual use where you want to smell different, it seems like a good option to me.

You get 10 to 15 minutes of an oud (plus cardamom) with animalic undertones, almost fecal or like rotten cheese. The vanilla, tonka bean, and ambergris combo shows up later to make the fragrance a bit more sociable, but without imposing itself. I know there are lovers of this fragrance and of the one it’s trying to copy, and to each their own… I didn’t like it.

Perfume for daily use in the fall. Every time I put it on, my girlfriend thinks it’s awful, but I’m the complete opposite: I like it so much that I even wear it to bed. The original Tom Ford has more quality and better longevity; with this one you get 4/5 hours, then you have to reapply.

Update to Woody Oud following TF’s request.