Elysium
29.10.2017 - 12:29 PM
2
Helpful Review
8
Bottle
6
Sillage
7
Longevity
9
Scent

Sophisticated leather almost unknown

Despite being classified as a woody fragrance, to me, GMV Oud is more an earthy, leathery, slightly smoky, and spicy scent. So underrated and almost unknown, this magnificent scent is so damn good! A unique niche jewel.

It opens with sparkling lemon peel and green cardamom, a bit balsamic with a tad of smokiness from the incense. The top notes last for a while, till it turns earthy and dirty, with a dark blend of oud, wild patchouli, and mild rosewood. The smell is all around you at this point. At times I get some pleasant leathery notes, a kind of sophisticated leather, perhaps coming from papyrus leaves. The smell of a brand new pair of gloves just out of the box.
The heart is mainly earthy, smoky, and leathery, the oud is well balanced with the other notes and does neither dominate nor cover the patchouli, the rosewood, and the papyrus. Instead, altogether those notes create that leathery effect, which I can't get enough. It is similar to a light evening breeze.

Tobacco and moss give it the longevity, the former is a bit more smoky than sweet, not that kind of honey or vanilla aroma typical of the pipe's tobacco.

GMV Oud is warm with dark tones. Nevertheless, it does not scream, and it is safe for people near or close to you. It is a daily scent, suitable for office as well as leisure time, an evening out with friends. Given its mix of woody and leathery flavors, it performs gracefully during cold and winding autumn, perhaps too heavy for summertime, and too weak for cold winter days.

The bottle is minimal, a dark gray transparent and squared glass, with a great spray. Simple, that's why I like it.
If you came across it, test it on your skin because on the paper strip, it reveals and develops in an entirely different way.

-Elysium
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