Singular Oud Urban Scents 2014

A caramel-woody opening. Woody-sour oud and related wood notes merge seamlessly. It's understandable that some might deny the presence of true oud here. Professionally, I can't contribute anything constructive on this topic, I just have an opinion. The first part of it: I find the so-called oud to be not typically representative, but as an "as-if" oud, it is better executed than elsewhere. Secondly - see below.

After a few minutes, the already mild wood further softens and tries to incorporate the caramel note. Along with it, there's saffron dust and a hint of fig green (I would never have come to the latter on my own!). Very elegant and indeed an Urban Scent, meaning: less oriental than … well … urban. Almost every rough edge has been smoothed out. A tiny trace of slightly musty dustiness and something latently bitter in the wood represent, in my perception, the only corners.

Soon I find myself enveloped by a similarly streamlined kind of (as-if) oud, reminiscent of various Western-influenced "we-also-make-oud" fragrances. Admittedly, there is that mentioned mini-edge, but it doesn't hurt; with some distance from the skin, I'm simply dealing with a soft dark wood perfume, elegantly enriched - the fig now seems more like a shriveled-dried one, fitting for the pre-Christmas season. Frankincense gains in significance, yet remains very restrained in character.

More defining is, throughout the morning, an additionally soothing creaminess, for which musk (possibly plant-based?) is plausible. There’s no doubt that it is very noble, as the fruity sweetness, gentle frankincense, and the fine wood note brushing against the sourness are tenderly enveloped and mutually caress each other.

Now to the second part of my opinion: Even if the so-called oud is composed entirely or primarily of hinted fruit acidity and dark spicy-sour dusty whatever wood: It doesn't matter, the finch-like appearance of the eagle wood is undoubtedly intentional. If it were different, the means would be available to convincingly simulate various types of oud, as seen in the explicitly oud-free oud "NOOUD" by Baruti.

From early afternoon onwards, Singular Oud becomes very quiet, although remnants linger into the evening. The wood indeed becomes rounder, creamier, and milder, also sweeter. I must be cautious regarding the details of the alleged "noble woods," aside from the fact that towards the end, I suspect a relatively wood-close contribution from patchouli.

Conclusion: Even in the morning, I find the scent a bit too smooth to be truly exciting. Nevertheless, it is all very noble and certainly great for a suit. Oh, what: "for" ... - it "is" practically a suit (note: don't forget the underwear!). One made of velvet.

I thank Gerdi for the sample.