20
Top Review
Icon AbsolOUD
1) Do they have to slap Oud into everything or release an Oud version of every fragrance?
2) Finally, a citrusy-light Oud again!
I find myself wavering between these two positions regarding Icon Absolute, a flanker to perhaps the best men’s release of last year and one of the best Dunhill fragrances of all time. Certainly the best bottle ;)
For a while, Icon Absolute was only available at Harrods in London, but now it’s affordable everywhere in the world. In my opinion, it shouldn’t have been called Icon at all, as the original DNA is only hinted at, if at all. Maybe 10-20% of an Icon, which is extremely little for a flanker, but that doesn’t necessarily have to speak against the fragrance itself.
Icon Absolute is a creamy Oud scent, like many you’ve smelled before. However, it’s one of the lighter, brighter kinds, not a pure evening & dark fragrance, only occasionally musty & actually very well made. If you think of M7, Lui, or Versace’s Oud Noir, or a mix of all, you’re on the right track. It’s frustrating that nowadays every fragrance, even if it has nothing to do with Oud, has to be somehow Oudified. If it can’t be avoided, then in a forced flanker.
IA is an extremely woody perfume, with slightly citrus-spicy notes. Bergamot, Oud & saffron play the leading roles, certainly not winning any innovation awards. Icon, a European office & everyday scent, has been Arabized & simply had a hefty dose of Oud poured over it - well-intentioned, but not much achieved. Still, lighter, more wearable Oud fragrances are always rare & it’s nice that the line is being expanded with Royal Oud or Excellent Man!
Bottle: even more beautiful in gold
Sillage: darker & slightly stronger than the original.
Longevity: 6 hours is low for an Oud-heavy scent.
Conclusion: a nice, darker & yet light Oud interpretation of Icon, which I wouldn’t prefer over the original. Making a massive woody accent isn’t quite enough & Icon will never be a true evening scent, no matter what dark tricks are applied ;)
2) Finally, a citrusy-light Oud again!
I find myself wavering between these two positions regarding Icon Absolute, a flanker to perhaps the best men’s release of last year and one of the best Dunhill fragrances of all time. Certainly the best bottle ;)
For a while, Icon Absolute was only available at Harrods in London, but now it’s affordable everywhere in the world. In my opinion, it shouldn’t have been called Icon at all, as the original DNA is only hinted at, if at all. Maybe 10-20% of an Icon, which is extremely little for a flanker, but that doesn’t necessarily have to speak against the fragrance itself.
Icon Absolute is a creamy Oud scent, like many you’ve smelled before. However, it’s one of the lighter, brighter kinds, not a pure evening & dark fragrance, only occasionally musty & actually very well made. If you think of M7, Lui, or Versace’s Oud Noir, or a mix of all, you’re on the right track. It’s frustrating that nowadays every fragrance, even if it has nothing to do with Oud, has to be somehow Oudified. If it can’t be avoided, then in a forced flanker.
IA is an extremely woody perfume, with slightly citrus-spicy notes. Bergamot, Oud & saffron play the leading roles, certainly not winning any innovation awards. Icon, a European office & everyday scent, has been Arabized & simply had a hefty dose of Oud poured over it - well-intentioned, but not much achieved. Still, lighter, more wearable Oud fragrances are always rare & it’s nice that the line is being expanded with Royal Oud or Excellent Man!
Bottle: even more beautiful in gold
Sillage: darker & slightly stronger than the original.
Longevity: 6 hours is low for an Oud-heavy scent.
Conclusion: a nice, darker & yet light Oud interpretation of Icon, which I wouldn’t prefer over the original. Making a massive woody accent isn’t quite enough & Icon will never be a true evening scent, no matter what dark tricks are applied ;)
Translated · Show original
1 Comment
Yatagan 9 years ago
Helpful! Thank you!
Translated · Show originalShow translation