Jadab Eau Fine soOud 2014 Eau de Parfum

"Jadab is a creation inspired by the masculine charm of an oriental dream," the marketing text promises us, among other things. What images might unfold? A souk full of fragrances, a mysterious sheikh, Far Eastern incense. In 2002, YSL began to integrate agarwood as a new, "magical" fragrance ingredient into the mass market, allegedly even with a certain percentage of real oud in this scent. Hundreds, if not thousands, of fragrances that at least advertise the promise of oud and the Orient have since flooded the market. The same combinations with a strangely synthetic smell that is supposed to represent the often unknown scent of agarwood usually appear alongside rose and/or saffron notes in various bottles and price ranges.

Jadab does not strike me as a significant exception. The fragrance initially seems hardly floral; the fragrance pyramid surely does not hold here. After a smoky-sweet-woody opening, a frequently encountered oud note soon joins in. Saffron is certainly present here; forgive me if my nose plays tricks on me; after all, I cannot read the fragrance pyramid but can only describe impressions. Oud and saffron; a popular combination that I have never liked. The scent quickly becomes very sweet and ambery. This dark-ambery direction saves everything a bit, as I feel saffron pairs quite well with amber.

Jadab is a pleasant fragrance. The notes appear harmonious and leave a warm, fragrant impression on the skin. As it develops, the scent becomes increasingly beautiful, acquiring slightly honey-like accents, which are, however, counterbalanced by the almost sharp oud-saffron combination. Floral notes... I must contradict myself. I do not smell any standout flowers here; they could, however, contribute to the overall impression.

I find it difficult to evaluate the fragrance. It advertises a promise that it does not fulfill. Jadab has little to do with the Orient; rather, it relates to the image of the Orient that large fragrance companies have planted in customers' minds in recent years.

That is exactly what bothers me. I would rather smell a beautiful fragrance without oud, without false promises of luxury, the Orient, or whatever, than such deceivers. Nevertheless, Jadab is successful and an overall pleasant, coherent scent.

The soOud fragrances are available as Eau Fine and Parfum Nectar, the latter in a black bottle. If I understand correctly, the versions differ mainly in the concentration of fragrance ingredients.