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7.2 / 10 160 Ratings
A perfume by Berdoues for women and men, released in 2015. The scent is woody-resinous. It was last marketed by Groupe Berdoues.
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Main accords

Woody
Resinous
Spicy
Oriental
Fresh

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
Italian mandarin orangeItalian mandarin orange
Heart Notes Heart Notes
Namibian myrrhNamibian myrrh
Base Notes Base Notes
Malayan oudMalayan oud

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.2160 Ratings
Longevity
6.4128 Ratings
Sillage
6.0124 Ratings
Bottle
7.7133 Ratings
Value for money
6.833 Ratings
Submitted by Michael · last update on 04/25/2025.
Source-backed & verified
Interesting Facts
The fragrance was part of the collection Collection Grands Crus.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
23NAO - North Atlantic Ocean by Agua de Surf
23NAO - North Atlantic Ocean
Ambre sultan (Eau de Parfum) by Serge Lutens
Ambre sultan Eau de Parfum
Oud Satin Mood (Eau de Parfum) by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum
Soul by Costume National
Soul
Eau Duelle (Eau de Toilette) by Diptyque
Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette

Reviews

10 in-depth fragrance descriptions
KimJong

64 Reviews
KimJong
KimJong
3  
Grandmother and her cat
1. Bright, light, and airy. Despite it's a little oriental vibe, it's wearable even during warm days. It's also relatively safe in the office.

2. It is safe in the office, but most of the reason is its weak performance. It rarely shows off itself.

3. If you are looking for summer oud perfume as a oud fan, do not put it into consideration. Oud in it is so faint that it can hardly be detected.

4. I myself like Oud Al Sahraa very much. But not for wearing it myself. It just reminds me of a quite old memory. It reminds me of the smell of my grandmother's room, where there was a old-type record player and a cat house.

5. It is not good enough to justify the $80-100 price. I think there is no noticeable difference in quality between the very inexpensive Berdoues 1902 series and the relatively expensive Grands Crus series.

6. It is true that you can find any better pieces in a similar category. For example, if you are a male, I assure that Versace Oud Noir is much better than Oud Al Sahraa.

7. Nevertheless, Oud Al Sahraa has its own value. For me it may be purely personal reason. It is comfortable and stable. It makes me feel like the time I was enjoying the warm sunshine coming through the window with a lazy fat cat.
Addition: I found why this scent reminded me of my grandmother's room. It was the smell of myrrh resin used to expel mosquitoes. A relic of an old tradition that has disappeared in modern society... Unlike today's chemical pesticides, it had little effect on anti-mosquito. Merely my grandmother's cat loved the smell of burning the resin, so he would always lie around there.
0 Comments
Bertel

236 Reviews
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Bertel
Bertel
Top Review 28  
Myrrh-Oud-Cologne
Berdoues, the French traditional house founded in 1902 and based in Cugnaux near Toulouse, where the entire manufacturing and marketing chain is still in the hands of the family - was completely unknown to me until now... Neither the consistently successful and still appreciated fragrance "Violette de Toulouse" was familiar to me, nor did I have any idea that brands like Jacadi and Molyneux now belong to this medium-sized group. The sparse websites for the group and the Berdoues brand don't offer much beyond a few marketing details, and they have so far shamefully neglected to mention that a new Cologne line called "Cologne Grand Cru" has just been launched with six fragrances.

I actually like the concept of this series: take six regions of the world, capture their typical olfactory ambassadors, and try to implement this in the context of somewhat richer Eaux de Cologne (in which Berdoues sees its roots and home) to create something original.

We are currently experiencing what seems to be the hottest week of the year, making it the perfect Cologne time. Therefore, I had the series sent to me for a closer look, and I was immediately drawn to "Oud al Sahraa." On one hand, because I find it quite accessible, and on the other hand, because it conveys the Oud theme, which I joyfully and attentively follow, in a way that is not overly innovative but very pleasant.

Oud has many aspects and faces, ranging from dark herbal to piercingly medicinal to bright silvery, combined with the usual companions like vetiver, rose, and incense. Berdoues chooses a less trodden path here and leans towards the citrus-spicy side.

Very traditional Cologne, "Oud al Sahraa" starts with a citrus top note. However, it is not the bright, sour, shimmering bergamot or neroli or something similarly traditional, but rather an interesting, juicy, pleasantly relaxed orange mandarin, very appealing.

Almost seamlessly, after just a few minutes, myrrh joins in. This component is currently becoming one of my favorite notes, with its aromatic, often brittle, sometimes slightly bitter, fragrant resinous nature, here not smoky or harsh but very civilized and soft, slightly balsamic.

And into this structure fits perfectly the gentle, slightly creamy woody quality of the Oud used here. This often complex, bold, unwieldy, and highly interesting accord is recognizable from the start, but at no point is it intrusive or loud; everything is very civilized and smoothly integrated.

Certainly not necessarily a great, innovative, different, or outstandingly high-quality fragrance, the sillage is decent but the longevity is, of course, Cologne-like - nevertheless, it is a very nice perspective through the lens of a Cologne on what I find to be a very appealing and wonderfully wearable variation of the unabatedly popular Oud theme for this hot time.
8 Comments
Meggi

1018 Reviews
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Meggi
Meggi
Top Review 28  
Cheese Cauldron and Pediatrician Memory
In the sixth volume of the Harry Potter heptalogy, Albus Dumbledore emphasizes the fact that he will be entering the realm of speculation with the words: “From here on, I could be just as miserably wrong as Humphrey Belcher, who believed the time was ripe for a cheese cauldron.”

Even for us Muggles (= non-magicians), the nonsensical extravagance of a cheese cauldron is immediately apparent. In contrast, there are good reasons to argue that the time was ripe for an Oud Cologne. Perhaps less serious and weighty, fresher and lighter than usual, universally applicable, moderate sillage, and finally possibly manageable longevity that carries you solidly through the workday but leaves room for something new afterward.

Some of this list can be served by the fragrance with the unassuming name prefix.

The fruity opening - sharper and more lemony than the specified mandarin alone suggests - is hardly worth further mention, as it quickly dissipates. In its wake, a hint of oud-woodiness has already wafted in. Aha, we are dealing with an oud variant from the wood corner; this seems reasonable in context. Additionally, a vanillic sweetness can be felt, whose significance steadily increases as time goes on. The very restrained sillage is particularly noticeable.

The so-called myrrh is so soft and sweet that I would have at least had a proper nibble without any announcement. My first thought was “sweet children’s cough syrup” or some sugary-nutty stuff. Alongside that - *snap, snap* - a vague idea; and as it goes with old memories, the considerations roll back and forth for a long time until suddenly the thought strikes: sugar cube vaccination! This liquid drizzled onto a piece of sugar. Decades ago - whether that fits perfectly must remain open.

Throughout the morning, our Grand Cru develops into a sugary-vanillic-woody scent and remains very close to the skin. There, it undoubtedly has presence. By noon, I smell mild, vanillated resin. I can fundamentally understand the previously mentioned closeness to Ambre Sultan, although I personally prefer a general comparison with numerous other amber-vanilla fragrances. What may set today’s candidate apart is its pleasantly non-penetrating nature. The subtle wood note in the background ensures that a certain lightness remains throughout.

During the afternoon, the wood character shifts into a robustly bitter direction. A checkmark can again be placed behind the corresponding oud, as it certainly fits no worse than elsewhere. We thus diagnose a sugary-vanillic-ambered part and - contrasted against it - a dark-bitter counterbalance.

Conclusion: Little to nothing of what one usually imagines under a Cologne can be noticed. The designation as a “normal” scent (as well as the omission of the term “Grand Cru”) would have sufficed. However, the subtle appearance fits the approach. A quiet, oudh-like wood-vanilla-amber scent.

I thank MisterE for the sample.
16 Comments
DonJuanDeCat

2047 Reviews
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DonJuanDeCat
DonJuanDeCat
Top Review 16  
Sweet Desert
Aaah, Berdoues. This brand has been stuck in my mind since the fragrance India Assam. Both because of the wonderful scent (you know, scent in tea = Yeah yeah yeah!) and because of the great bottle. Okay, sometimes I really do come across as a bottle victim when I rave about beautiful flacons. I should never have mentioned that here. And since my best friend always laughs at me for it, I’ll say something brutally unfriendly to her at this point: Shut up!!! And stop laughing! :D he he he!
She probably still thinks that I like the scent “Artisan” by John Varvatos only because of the bottle, hmm… but that’s not true, I like the scent too…. But no one believes me again, right?

*sigh*
Well, what can you do.

Now I have another scent from this brand in front of me. Hmm… Oud Al Sahraa sounds very much like hot desert (oud) air, don’t you think? Is it a mistake to test the scent on hot days? Let me quickly scroll down to see what most people think of it… aha, the scent seems to be more of an all-rounder, which should actually mean that it shouldn’t be too overwhelming. I’ll trust you Parfumas and Parfumos and test this scent now.

If I end up cursing heavily afterwards, then you’ll know that the scent is absolutely not suitable for hot days and I think you’re all silly :D

The Scent:
So, the scent starts off quite pleasantly. The mandarin is a bit weak, but you can still perceive its rather sweet than citrusy fragrance nicely. Then the oud comes in, almost simultaneously with the resinous and incense-like myrrh. For a tiny moment, everything together smells a bit like medicine, for example like cough syrup, but then the scent becomes more perfumey again. Oud is dominant, but not extremely strong; still, I would describe the scent as quite oriental, I think. Especially since you can also smell sweet notes.
The sweetness that will later be released by the myrrh smells very nice and creates a pleasant scent cloud that is nice for both oneself and others.
That’s pretty much it, as the scent is quite simple, but still manages very well with these few notes, as everything feels well-balanced.

The Sillage and Longevity:
The sillage is good; the scent creates a nice (small) scent cloud and is therefore somewhat noticeable on someone. However, for an oud scent, it is still unusually mild.
The longevity is also not that long and becomes noticeably weaker after five to six hours.

The Bottle:
The bottle is rectangular with rounded corners, thin and tall. On the front, there is a simple white label with the name of the scent. The back is painted with oriental-looking patterns. When held up to the light… oops, I mean when held to the light, these patterns look particularly beautiful and resemble those in a kaleidoscope. A nicely made bottle.

Well… I don’t need to curse heavily as announced! :D
Because the scent is actually quite usable even on warmer days despite the ouds and resinous notes, as it not only smells nice but also simply exudes a cozy atmosphere without being too heavy and thus overwhelming. You can definitely smell the oud, but not in a sharp medicinal way, as is the case with some other fragrances.

So, you can use the scent quite well in spring, but also in summer (okay, not on brutally hot days, but you know what I mean, right?). In autumn, it should work just as well as in winter. An all-rounder indeed.

It’s not a party scent, but you can use it for other (evening) occasions besides daily wear,… going out to eat, other meetings, or so…

Anyway, as long as you’re not oud enemies, I would recommend testing the scent! And okay, you also have to see the great bottle, mu ha ha ha :DD
Well then… just call me a bottle victim… *sigh* At least I have a sense of aesthetics and am not an art philistine like all of you, he he he :D
1 Comment
pudelbonzo

2404 Reviews
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pudelbonzo
pudelbonzo
Top Review 12  
spicy desert
My girlfriend had prescribed me some exercise, and since we needed a light day cover anyway, I set off to Kstadt.

I stopped by the Berdoues, as they are always worth a sniff.

But - whoops - all are reduced in price by 20 euros!

This pleases and annoys me at the same time - after all, I recently paid full price for the undoubtedly beautiful cherry blossom branch.

Well, maybe a special offer could work today?
Oud de Sahraa is calling to me.

A gentle oriental fragrance, with sweet mandarin notes, which gives it a slightly aquatic feel.
The myrrh adds a soft spiciness, and the oud is pleasantly subtle to transparent.
No, not a dusty dry desert, but rather a mild refreshing oasis that invites you to linger.

A pleasant unisex scent that stays close to the skin but is still noticeable.

Now in summer, its statement feels a bit too warm for me - but in winter, it will shine well.

4 Comments
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Statements

46 short views on the fragrance
21
19
Myrrh threads on the mandarin tree
gently sway in the desert wind
shine dry-warm in the
oud-colored sunset
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19 Comments
17
18
Sahrah
Grew up in the Orient
With such large dark eyes
Admiring the fresh Occident
Harvesting mandarins in Persia
Her life tells it
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18 Comments
4 years ago
16
9
A rather gentle myrrh scent, sweet, dry, and also spicy. Still, a more pleasing oud and relaxing.
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9 Comments
12
Wonderful and versatile, like changing colors. However, once Oud gets involved, it has the longer staying power & takes over.
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0 Comments
10
6
Oud whispers softly
almost unnoticed
chasing the sweet myrrh
interwoven in resin-colored hair
a few mandarin-colored feathers
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6 Comments
10
2
A bright oud scent, more Occident than Orient, yet dominated by myrrh. All in all, not very spectacular.
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2 Comments
8
2
Delicately sweet, almost Oriental Cologne with ambered resins.
It truly conveys a subtle impression of what Oud can really smell like.
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2 Comments
9
3
The scent for starless cold autumn nights: warming, woody-resinous, yet also velvety fruity. A pleasantly subtle modern oriental. Beautiful!
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3 Comments
9
2
First light and delicate like a first kiss, then a warm embrace.
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2 Comments
7 years ago
8
3
Ideal for temperatures over 30°C, dry, smoky, not sweet and not sticky, it's enough if I stick ;-)
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3 Comments
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