Admittedly, the title promises nothing positive, especially with the word Maybe carrying a relatively negative connotation.
Years ago, there was an article about Generation Z, titled "Generation Maybe," which discussed how this generation has gotten lost in the Either-Or, unable to make decisions, having no answers to any questions, and not wanting to commit.
So why this title and the reference to an article about this generation?
Because Oud Fleur represents exactly that, but without any negative connotations, rather full of euphemisms: Either-Or.
On another platform, I read that this could just as well be a DUA hybrid:
Tobacco Oud mixed with Rose Prick.
But is that so?
Let’s start from the beginning, with the purchase: I acquired the fragrance last week in Zurich when a well-known specialty store was having a sale, and I was able to purchase the admittedly beautiful 100 ml bottle for under 250 euros.
Sprayed at home, I was first greeted by a massive wave of spiced oud. Some speak of associations with Tom Ford's London - and these are absolutely undeniable, even though the cumin (thankfully) is completely absent here, and instead, cardamom and coriander can be perceived. Above all, the oud is the dominant element here, making this scent initially seem extremely loud, strong, and masculine.
In the next moment, however, the floral elements come into play: in my opinion, there was a significant misstep in the naming - as floral as a rose may be, all other floral accords are completely missing.
A juicy, completely dark, and mysterious rose enters the ring, wanting to engage in battle with the spicy oud. At least, that’s the first impression.
The rose is full-bodied, mysterious, dirty, and not sweet and tender at all. No, it’s not just here to play - but it’s also not here to fight.
Because it prefers to cuddle.
In the heart, rose and oud unite, complementing each other, supporting each other, and holding each other tight. They linger in perfect harmony - as if they have been hybridized. So, is it Tobacco Oud and Rose Prick?
No. It’s not that simple.
Tobacco Oud is beautiful. Rose Prick is beautiful. And they would certainly be the parents of a beautiful child. But if they ever had an offspring, it would not be named Oud Fleur.
Oud Fleur is more complex, deeper, and more mature than that.
Even though individual accords repeatedly remind one of the spicy, distinctive booziness paired with pipe tobacco and exotic oud, and other accords evoke associations with the most seductive rose that the House of Ford has to offer, Oud Fleur does something truly genius in the later stages:
Sandalwood gives the fragrance a wonderfully adult, profound, and grounded character in the drydown, which clearly distinguishes Oud Fleur from all other oud-rose combinations. Completely unpretentious, down-to-earth, and sophisticated, the delightful combination of rough, spicy, edgy oud with the juicy, dark, and dirty rose appears after the sandalwood brings the necessary creaminess, smoothness, and calmness into play.
By the way, sandalwood is also a component of Tobacco Oud - just so you know.
But that’s not all. In the further course of the drydown, another completely unexpected component comes into play: patchouli. Not damp, musty basement patchouli, but real powerhouse: sexy, wicked, and dust-dry. This note wonderfully rounds off the oud-rose combination paired with the sandalwood, giving it the final touch, roughening up the polished sandalwood a bit, and adding a very seductive character to the fragrance - nothing Maybe, but definitely Definitely.
Also here: patchouli is a note that appears in both Tobacco Oud and Rose Prick.
So is it a hybrid after all?
No. It is an independent, beautiful, and incredibly special fragrance from the House of Ford. Spicy oud, juicy-dirty black rose, profound and elegant sandalwood paired with the necessary wickedness and sexiness of patchouli.
One might think that all the wonderful elements of Tom Ford fragrances have united in this scent: Tobacco Oud and Rose Prick at the forefront, London and Santal Blush a bit more in the middle, and Patchouli Absolu in the back rows.
- And yet, it is a completely independent fragrance.
The scent of the Maybe generation?
No. Definitely not. And yet, Oud Fleur beautifully represents the indecision, the question of meaning, and the eternal back-and-forth between Either and Or.
But what is the answer to that?
Does there always need to be one? - I ask back.
Oud Fleur does not want to be understood, I am convinced of that. Not every question needs an answer. Not every decision has to be made. Not everything has to be committed to.
Sometimes it is enough to pause for a moment and enjoy. The existence, life, love, and the feeling of not having to have an answer to everything.
And in that moment, one needs a grounded companion - and that is Oud Fleur.
Oud
Rose
Patchouli
Sandalwood
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