Oud 27 Le Labo 2009 Eau de Parfum

I'm a real gringo when it comes to oud. My concept derives solely from the perfumes in which it is said to figure and which I happen to have sniffed. My suspicion is that Le Labo OUD 27 is the answer to those who so often complain about oudless oud perfumes. The heavy, rubbery and almost harsh demeanor of this perfume leads me to believe that this may in fact be the real thing. Why else make a perfume which smells as this one does, if not to satisfy the yearnings for an authentic oud experience?

The naysayers have compared OUD 27 to Bandaids and shoe polish, and I do not disagree. This perfume may serve as a litmus test to true oud appreciation. I suspect that this would probably smell great blended with a powerful dose of rose, but as an unadorned presentation of oud--or so it seems--I do not find it very pleasant at all.

What I have learned through this Le Labo oud experience is that I probably need some more training before I'll be able to appreciate the real thing--assuming that this is genuine oud and not simply some overwrought and ill-conceived synthetic attempt at mimicry...

For now, I think it's safe to say that I still prefer the wimpy Westernized oud perfumes.