Woo(e)d Altaia 2025

Every year, when the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, my olfactory needs change. While I always prefer light citrus-fresh scents in the summer half of the year, they somehow no longer fit as well starting in autumn.

Fragrances that are associated with winter can probably be characterized by the traits sweet, flattering, cozy, often also woody and spicy. It is common for winter scents to contain Oud and Tonka, and one can also expect strong longevity and projection.

And that’s where my problems begin: sweet is just not my thing. Nothing against a strong longevity, but it shouldn't be too overpowering either. And Oud? Yes, it can be great, but even a masterpiece like Alexandria II Parfum I eventually sold because I simply didn’t wear it. So where is a winter scent that doesn’t have all that?

Here, namely at Altaia - and it’s called Woo(e)d. The (moderately original) wordplay actually characterizes the scent very well - it is first woody and yes, it woos, but it doesn’t attack you. It is powerful with decent longevity, but has rather restrained projection.
Cedar and Guaiac provide a subtle yet extremely present woodiness. The resinous quality of the Guaiac wood and the rock rose is beautifully flanked by bergamot, which brings a very nice citrus note to the fragrance without making it feel fresh. Leather and other spices develop very prominently for me after about half an hour and harmoniously round off the whole experience. I find that the various scent notes are quite well balanced - you can't say that it is a woody, a leathery, or a citrus scent; it has a bit of everything and yet is not arbitrary.

For me, Woo(e)d is just right this winter: it flatters, it envelops, it warms, it lasts, but it doesn’t impose itself, even though it is very present and remains so. Together with a truly wonderful bottle in very nice packaging at an acceptable price, it is a real gem from the house of Altaia. Grazie tanto!