Oud Assoluto Pineider 2014

Pineider has been synonymous with style and craftsmanship in Florence for over 240 years. While its roots lie in specialized, very fine stationery and writing instruments, the brand has consistently evolved in terms of luxury lifestyles and now offers, alongside high-end leather goods, fragrances since 2011. These are presented in an incredibly elegant manner, following the representative tradition.

Just holding the elongated wooden box with the small nameplate envelops you in an aura of the extraordinary. The mahogany wood begs to be touched. After breaking the seal, the metal clasp opens skillfully, swinging the lid to the side and revealing a top-down view of the silver bottle cap. This is encased in leather. When you carefully slide the bottle out of its container, it turns out to be a heavy clear glass vial. Beautiful and monolithic.

From the very first spray, the fragrance captivates me. Although I would have guessed an oriental theme from the array of notes, Oud Assoluto surprises. It is citrusy-woody from the start. It is an Oud that brings forth rather citrusy, slightly medicinal notes. The floral notes refine and shape this citrus aspect so delicately that it is nearly impossible to discern any other accords. Interestingly, the mood and composition remind me of my current signature scent, Boadicea the Victorious - Midnight. There are also no citrus accords in the pyramid, yet they are dominant.

After about two hours, the citrus dims slightly and opens up to very subtle, balsamic-woody notes. Here, the Oud plays in perfect harmony with the amber, giving a preview of the drydown. However, this takes another good 6 hours to unfold. Throughout this time, the fragrance remains fundamentally fresh-citrusy and gains balsamic nuances.

Oud Assoluto floats and radiates. It imparts an incredibly noble aura. The fragrance is present, yet not overpowering. It accompanies you. It has strength and endurance without needing to take center stage. And it is, in every way, a gentleman.