Rihan Al Aoud Abdul Samad Al Qurashi

At around $250 per tola, Rihan Al Aoud is priced at the middle of the pack, and quite appropriately so for what I would consider a perfect 'starter' oud for (mostly) women. It contains a blend of different oud oils from Southeastern Asia (that's not too specific, is it, but that's what the online catalogs say!), but there is nothing barnyardy or animalic here in the least. Whatever oud used here registers as a pleasant, dry, lightly smoky 'buzz' that is sustained throughout the life of the fragrance, from top to toe. Actually, it doesn't smell that much different from the synthetic versions of the 'smoked oud wood chips' smell (as opposed to a representation of the oud oil smell).

The smoked oud chip accord is pleasantly spiced with the fruity floral melange beloved of ASAQ in their female blends, which is to say, a good dose of really fruity, grapey jasmine, orange blossoms, neroli, and so on. This typical ASAQ 'female' touch is so fruity/floral that it almost approaches pink bubblegum territory - but thankfully it pulls from that effect here. Here it is pleasant, subtle, just juicy and sweet. I really like Rihan Al Aoud. I will say that I don't find it as complex as Rouh Al Aoud (the male equivalent). Don't let that put you off - this is a really great-smelling oud blend, definitely not a pure oud like they say, and nicely positioned and priced for an entry-level plunge into oud waters. Recommended.