Top Notes 
Orange
Cumin
Pink pepper
Bergamot
Heart Notes 
Cambodian oud
Rum
Saffron
Base Notes 
Patchouli
Cashmeran
Amber
Cedarwood
Musk
Timbersilk™
Java vetiver
Vanilla
08/01/2025
ClaireV
958 Reviews
ClaireV
1
Syrupy, boozy notes enrobed in a nightmarish Timbersilk
Garuda is not a bad fragrance per se, but I had been expecting so much more at this price point. The opening notes of cumin, rum, and orange are a drunken, sweaty pirate pleasure for a while, but then it all gets dunked in a bath of sugar syrup. Actually, the sugary, boozey oud-vanilla feeling I get from Garuda is almost identical to what I get from Arabian cheapies such as Ameer al Oudh,Raghba Wood Intense and even 24 Gold. The sweetness and woodiness of Garuda are on par with those.
The Cambodian oud note, when I can isolate it, is lovely - honeyed, with hints of dried fruit, and darkly woody. I have no idea whether any real oud was used or not, but at this price, one can only hope...Unfortunately, the delicate oud note used here is somewhat swamped by a charred, woody aromachemical called Timbersilk. After the first few hours, all I can smell is the Timbersilk.
For me, Garuda is therefore a rather pedestrian "Western" oud fragrance with a strong woody ambery chemical aftertaste, and although I'm sure the materials used are top notch compared to Arabian cheapies, the difference (in smell) is not so great as to justify the price demanded for the Jul et Mad version. I know I'm in the minority here because everyone seems to be going ape%^& over Garuda, but honestly, I would rather go for any of the more honestly-priced Arabian cheapies over this, or save up for a really amazing Western oud interpretation, such as Oud Shamash by The Different Company or MFK Oud.
The Cambodian oud note, when I can isolate it, is lovely - honeyed, with hints of dried fruit, and darkly woody. I have no idea whether any real oud was used or not, but at this price, one can only hope...Unfortunately, the delicate oud note used here is somewhat swamped by a charred, woody aromachemical called Timbersilk. After the first few hours, all I can smell is the Timbersilk.
For me, Garuda is therefore a rather pedestrian "Western" oud fragrance with a strong woody ambery chemical aftertaste, and although I'm sure the materials used are top notch compared to Arabian cheapies, the difference (in smell) is not so great as to justify the price demanded for the Jul et Mad version. I know I'm in the minority here because everyone seems to be going ape%^& over Garuda, but honestly, I would rather go for any of the more honestly-priced Arabian cheapies over this, or save up for a really amazing Western oud interpretation, such as Oud Shamash by The Different Company or MFK Oud.
Hermesh
