Oud and leather are two notes that I really struggle with. They usually just ruin fragrances for me. And yet here they're presented so incredibly gently, so exquisitely balanced, that they compose a fragrance I find hard not to adore.
I think the magic lies in the balsam fir, which serves as a perfect counterweight to the leathery oud. Its sharp aroma lifts the fragrance without feeling "out of place" — unlike many other popular foils of oud, like raspberry or apple. The result is a remarkably coherent and accessible scent.
Unfortunately, it doesn't last all that long, or project all that well.
