This fragrance unfortunately has so many negative reviews that I need to elaborate... and share my perspective.
THE BACKSTORY:
It all started with a very simple sample order. I bought countless decants for a buddy and myself, ranging from very fresh scents to heavy oriental perfumes. Especially unknown and some extravagant new releases that sounded good were just tossed into the cart...
...when the package arrived, each decant was first sprayed on paper; the OUD DE BURGAS was immediately set aside!!! The beginning seems to be marked by the clove (which is listed), I can't explain it any other way. It has an almost piercing smell! Like a country road after a thunderstorm, amplified a hundredfold. That's why I set this one decant aside... the bottle was completely full. It then went to my good buddy because he is used to a lot and is not as sensitive as I am.
THE ACTUAL ENCOUNTER WITH REAL OUD (SUYUFI OUD FROM INDIA; after many attempts I got this info and I suspect it too...):
It was a Friday night and we both met to go out a bit; to a nice club.
When I picked up my buddy in the car and stopped in front of his house, I almost fell out of the car when he sat down next to me. He had applied the entire bottle to his neck and hair! The entire drive was unbearable due to the smell; for about half an hour. Many people looked at us strangely as we passed by them... some really turned around...
Now to the actual scent...!!!!!
Although my friend smelled like a pig; it was as if he had put on a new perfume... an absolute dream scent after about an hour. That typical barnyard note was completely gone and transformed into a warm, attractive, slightly vanilla/coconut-like spicy scent. It's hard to describe, I have never smelled anything like it in any other fragrance. That slightly dirty aspect was still there but at the same time not disgusting anymore... it was just very soft and had a slightly sweet note alongside the whole animalistic touch.
Since I was so overwhelmed, I sprayed it on myself one evening and of course had to show some toughness at first, and I was almost embarrassed to quickly run into the gas station to grab something to drink; yes... those are the moments that stick in your memory.
It took about half to three-quarters of an hour for it to soften. The strong animalistic aspect was there, but you could smell fine fruity facets in the background that flashed and then disappeared. Gradually they come back and then unfortunately remain hidden. The strong animalistic base note stays, and then a nutty-creamy note comes in... but only as a shading or facet, if I describe it correctly. Unfortunately, it only lasts very briefly. Especially this slightly fruity note that occasionally sneaks in is liqueur-like, a glow... always just very far away. I also smelled this in Oud Alif by Shay & Blue at the beginning, and it has great quality, which is why I suspect a pretty good Oud here. Time passes and the Santi Burgas simply becomes softer, warmer, more delicate. No trace of zebra herds, hay bales, or the like. It shows many facets especially at the beginning - middle, because towards the end it became linear.
In my opinion, this is a pretty good Oud scent. And indeed Oud as the main component and everything else that is there to perhaps highlight, refine, round off, or something like that. The important thing with this fragrance is that you must not throw in the towel right away due to the opening and definitely do not take more than one spray!! This Oud or the fragrance itself probably develops quite badly for some and extraordinarily for others. For my buddy and me, it was definitely extraordinary, like nothing I have ever smelled before, and I have already smelled quite a bit when it comes to Oud. As I believe I mentioned above, there is real Indian Oud (Suyufi) in here, from what I would say is a somewhat higher quality.
Even if it doesn't work the first time, then try it a second time and give it a chance; because if it develops like it did for me, then it really is a dream, and you could spray it on before going to sleep.
Yes, it’s really underrated. A polarizing hardcore oud that lasts forever and becomes more accessible over time. Very masculine, not for the faint-hearted! :-)
I don't find the oud to be very high quality, but that doesn't make the scent bad. I actually like it. You should try "Gao" by Xerjoff. Similar base, but definitely of much better quality and more balanced.
You should try "Gao" by Xerjoff. Similar base, but definitely of much better quality and more balanced.