Versace Oud Noir Eau de Parfum

Product Information

Oud Noir has similarities with Haltane from Parfums De Marly, but both are different enough that owing one doesn’t make the other redundant. I would say Oud Noir in its early stages is a deeper darker scent which does end up nice and sweet like Haltane in the dry down Montale Oudmazing opens with an amazing Malaysian oud, bursting with Italian citrus and sweetened with fig and pear. It’s juicy but not gourmand. At the heart of the fragrance are patchouli, orris, and jasmine. Top Notes: Rose, violet | Middle Notes: Benzoin| Base notes: Oud, vanilla| Size: 2.4oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall, winter The notes will swap places now and again instead of going through one stage and it being gone until the next time you wear it the phases will repeat here and there with some of the notes popping in and out to say hello for a moment and then allowing another to have its time in the light. This goes on for roughly three hours before getting to my favourite part. I give it a 9.5/10 because I am not a huge fan of the bitterness of the saffron but because the fragrance changes so much it is only half a point worth from being a full 10/10

The oud is rather subdued, but is still perceptible and characterizes the fragrance especially with the - in my case 3-4 hours lasting - heart note of strong, sweet incense and rather weaker, spicy saffron. The heart is first of all shaped by saffron and then especially by a sweet incense - I love it (!) - I do not perceive cardamom personally. In my experience, incense is more likely to be perceived at a distance, and saffron is more likely to be perceived at close proximity to the skin. Through the present male sweetness (of the incense) this Versace fragrance slowly but steadily becomes warmer and more oriental, the incense, which I perceive until the end, makes him by its mysterious, smoky resinous, but also slightly sweet, effect to a "noir".It doesn’t last long on many people, but it does on me. The saffron and OUD mix quite well. Don’t expect strong projection, people will smell you for sure that you know. It’s a complement getter big time but not outdoors or in big crowds, For this reason, I give the fragrance 9 points, half a point because of the choppy / disharmonious transition between the head and heart notes, and another half point because of the oud, which could have been a little bit, but not much, stronger. Oudmazing finishes strong with a heady concoction of leather, grapes, vanilla, and musk with something a little creamy that reminds me of sandalwood. Fruity and sweet, yet rich and primal; it’s a head-turner. Plus, longevity is a crazy 10+ hours. It performs well on the dance floor and is a great go-to cologne for night’s out. Over the years, as I gradually developed into a true perfume enthusiast, I inevitably came across the ingredient "Oud", which can be found at least once in almost every perfume portfolio of every perfume-producing brand today More and more I was concerned with that ingredient that is loved by some and hated by others; to me it seemed worthy of a glance or a snoop. As a result, I didn't have the "courage" to buy a (designer) fragrance with "Oud" in its name, and certainly not an expensive one from any niche perfumer.

It's since been fine-tuned to cater to all kinds of perfume tastes that are widening as the world we live in becomes increasingly globally connected and our curiosities, as well as the possibility to indulge them, become more and more within reach. While it's not entirely realistic to travel the whole world smelling all the smells (though is it a personal dream of mine to do so), but perfume has always been a way to travel through time and space, with the free airline in your olfactory receptors. The opening gives me a slightly boozy liquor smell from the Amaretto along with some bitter leathery notes from the saffron.

Pharmacy product

What does oud smell like? The magic of this scent lies in how it intertwines with other notes like leather, musk, patchouli, and rose. One thing is certain; the best oud fragrance, especially the best oud for men, will be complex, dark, and powerful. A word of caution: a little goes a long way. Oud cologne can linger on your clothes or fill the air for an extended period. I perceive the opening as one marked by a spicy and peppery bitter orange. The neroli also contributes to this and gives the opening some freshness, whereby I especially smell the pepper and the bitter orange. Within about 5 minutes the top note disappears and merges - in my opinion a bit too choppy - into the heart note; the moment of transition is very short. Oud’s like an enigmatic character. It’s got depth, like an ocean of stories in a single drop. But hold your horses, it’s not playing the gender game. Oud doesn’t have a him or her tag. I find a comparison with Oud Wood rather difficult, because the differences are too big & the ONI is much more complex, more powerful ... well, almost gigantic.

Projection when at its best 10/10 and it tones down to roughly a 7.5-8/10 so I will give it a 9 to round it off. Tom Ford's Oud Wood has a special value for me in my life. On the one hand it's because I really love DNA, on the other hand it's also because I found my way into the perfume world with OW.ONI begins with cardamom & medicated oud, which is very oily and continues until the end. In the middle course saffron and wood are added; drydown in amber-vanilla.