The Oud Caravan Rasei Fort. 2023

okay, here we actually have at the beginning a representative of the much-criticized "animalistic" ouds. which should not cast any negative light (or shadow?) on it, but rather distinguishes it for me. and "animalistic" is, in my opinion, the most prominent attribute I can assign to an oud, because since I love oud, there is no "fecal" for me.

but it is much more than just that. if you take a look at the fragrance notes from the classification, you can see that pretty much every note indicated in the diagram is hidden in this elixir. and coaxing all these attributed notes from it is no masterpiece, as it rises like a small explosion of sensual impressions from the skin right after spraying.
the first impression might make one believe that it is somewhat disharmonious, as if the components are too opposing, as if there is a bit too much of everything.
too much darkness, too much freshness, too much bloom, too much sweetness, too much acidity. but this impression fades very quickly, and all the notes of the mosaic merge into a harmonious overall picture.
the more astonishing this complex fragrance painting of a hundred colors becomes when you compare the numerous notes of the classification diagram with the comparatively manageable notes of the fragrance pyramid. only then does it become clear how masterfully woven this scent is composed when it unfolds in such a wealth of impressions.
you really get pretty much every one of the indicated notes here (of course also always subject to individual perception), but never does one of the notes dominate too much, and none truly gets lost; each gets its moment to be present.

the interplay of light and shadow mentioned at the beginning is perfectly mastered. but it is not that we get an either-or, but rather a both-and. when we are briefly in the light, it lures us with its shadow; when we then go into the shadow, it promises us light again.
I caught myself, during the first tasting on test strips, having to take it in my hand again and again to smell it over and over, as I could never really "believe" it, as I could never quite grasp the scent; but it fascinates with every sniff, as it constantly plays with all its notes, almost as if the individual notes and nuances fluttered around the constantly blooming bud called oud like butterflies.
and then finally, applied to the neck, one sits contentedly and enjoys oneself, almost meditatively observing how the scent rises, envelops, and enchants. one feels good about oneself when one lets oneself be seduced by its sensuality.
...well, I admit it, I rave... I confess, I am in love...
but still for me a truly fabulous craftsmanship at the height of its abilities, which fully exploits all possibilities in this scent.

normally, I never judge the price of a perfume in the star rating. I think it is always a very personal matter what value one assigns to a scent, or generally to an object. some people spend thousands or millions on a painting that others would not value at 30 euros, or that another painter would create for a few hundred euros.
yes, 350 euros for 30ml is a very proud price. therefore, this is a scent that I will wear only very exclusively and selectively. of course, I am tempted to buy 1-2 bottles as a reserve if the financial situation allows. perhaps also due to the knowledge that this golden piece is limited because of the vintage oud contained and that this masterpiece will never be available again. therefore, I must guard it like the treasure that it is.

but despite the price, I recommend it to anyone who likes complex yet harmoniously composed ouds with a recognizable oud scent to at least test it once. before spending the same money on 100ml of a good scent that cannot captivate as thoroughly as this one, I gladly invest in such masterpieces.

fort & manlé have already impressed me with bojnokopff and late harvest, and the new qahwa is fantastic, but here he has outdone himself once again.
hats off, Mr. Rasei Fort