Two Nejma 2007

I just had a close encouter with oud. And it was the fourth kind: abduction.

The opening i found it, frankly, sickening. My disclaimer, i believe it is the first time i am actually smelling oud in enough concentration. I felt literally punched in the stomach. Raw oud plus superconcentrated rose. Very unpleasant scent. Like turpertine, ether, animal glands, gasoline... on steriods. I cannot understand anything, is oud suppossed to smell like this always?

My immediate reaction was scrubbing my hand under hot water, but for the sake of knowledge, i decided to wait. I didnt have to wait long until the scary opening evaporated enough and the Nejma Two shines, no, GLOWS, in all its beauty. Is funny how now i cannot stop smelling the hand ten minutes ago i wanted to chop off and throw through the window.

For oud beginners as myself, i describe Nejma 2 as a very warm, sensual, oily scent: a velvet animalic rose in the very center, coiled up round herself, full bodied, more a contralto than a soprano, coated with the strange turpentine note, laying on a silky woods bed. Quite extraordinary and addictive.

So, note for future navigators, give it ten minutes before you develop an opinion, and spray outdoors, away from the people you love, until it settles.

Thank you K for this roller coaster ride!