I had the first
M7 (2002) Eau de Toilette original, the scandalous one with the solid dark brown bottle, and for me, it was love at first sight. If I think of it, I can recall its smell in my mind. Then all traces disappeared. It seemed abandoned, but no, they relaunched it with new packaging. I have one of the last batches, the one with the clear glass, and I'm unsure if it smells like the one covered in black. Wow... After the first spray, I take a while to recognise M7 in this potion.
I miss that familiar accord of citrus and velvety sweet resins in the opening that characterised the OG. Instead, an explosion of herbaceous, medicinal, and syrupy undertones comes to my face. The scent of hay, and dry grass, with dusty and mineral undertones. Though it mentions at least three different citrus fruits, I need help distinguishing them clearly. A caramelised citrus peel may fill the air. To a certain extent, I get a thick and alcoholic aroma, which is still pleasant, unique, and interesting; indeed, it is very pleasant. However, it deviates from the original M7. If the citrus accord is tamed, the smoky of an incense-like oud in the background is already evident.
After a few minutes, the initial outburst subsides, and something darker, more aromatic, and thicker oozes from my warm skin. There is a lot of fragrant rosemary with a strong balsamic but not too mentholated component, which blends with oud wood and patchouli leaves, the latter with chocolate vibes. M7 was, and still is, a clash of Western and Eastern cultures, where classic woody and spicy aromas meet mysterious oud. We are not dealing with a true oriental oud with faecal or barnyard edges, but rather a cleaned and purified fluid that adds darkness and depth with elegance. M7 Oud Absolu is one of the best oud fragrances among designer ouds and could be the first step to familiarising yourself with the oud note. You get used to it quickly, and then it creates a sort of addiction. The fragrance becomes incredibly balsamic, sweet, and sour in the middle stage.
When the dry-down comes, all the waxy and resinous components take over. The leathery and powdery aromas of cistus and myrrh's sweetish and creamy ones dominate the base notes composed of moss, a salty ambergris-like amber, and a slightly earthy vetiver. And it is in this phase that I recognise many notes reminiscent of the first M7. They are sweetish, powdery, woody, amber accords, with that malice given by the touch of smoky oud wood. Let me insist that the M7 Oud Absolu takes the oud to a level that doesn't flaunt the sometimes cranky putrescent character but alters it with an understated mix of sweetness and mystery. A touch of smokiness appears in the final stage also.
Hence, M7 Oud Absolu is amber, woody, slightly earthy, and somewhat dirty. Not linear; it changes quite a bit from top to bottom. Compared with the OM, it does not have an impressive performance on my skin. It is a fall and winter cologne, better for late evenings and nights. Indeed is a great frag, even in its reformed state.
I'm basing my opinion and review on a bottle I've owned since January 2019 (BC 62PN01L, 2017-11).
-Elysium
Top Notes 
Mandarin orange
Mineral notes
Orange
Bergamot
Heart Notes 
Oud
Patchouli
Rosemary
Base Notes 
Labdanum
Myrrh
Amber
Musk
Vetiver
Elysium
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