Oud Candy Borntostandout 2025

I think the branding of this fragrance has led to many rather negative reviews. When you hear "Oud Candy | Borntostandout," you expect a cotton candy scent complemented by oud; however, what you actually get is something completely different. The branding is not optimal in this respect, but the fragrance itself is by no means as bad as it is sometimes portrayed, just different from what one might expect. Before I reveal too much, let's get into it:

- The fragrance starts, contrary to the expected sweetness, not really "candy-sweet" in the top note, but primarily with a lightly sweet, burnt sugar note that has a good nutty touch, which doesn't make it really sweet (except for the first 10 seconds, it feels), but rather nutty-spicy, almost smoky with a slight sweet undertone.

- Very quickly, a woody accord comes in, which is very present; I have the feeling that the dry cedarwood here, along with the oud and leather accord, are the main players, with saffron also being distinctly noticeable. Unfortunately, caramel gets completely lost in this combination and is swallowed up; yes, a certain sweetness does emerge after countless hours, but only towards the end phase. I think the fragrance would have received much more appreciation if caramel and vanilla had been more pronounced. It could also be that the oakmoss brings in this inky, gray, and dry texture, but yes, I can't assess that because too much intertwines.

- Longevity and sillage are brutal, typical BTSO Extrait...

Overall, for me, it's a typical BTSO powerhouse that promises one thing; presence and dominance. Does the name fit? Absolutely not, or only to some extent; for me, the sweetness is missing in the drydown to make the fragrance more appealing to the masses, but that's exactly what makes it so exciting from my perspective, this dry-oriental aspect in the drydown, with slight sweet touches.

... definitely test it beforehand... it's too special for a blind buy :)