Heartfire

Cuoium was my very first fragrance from the niche category and also an absolute blind buy. "Are you crazy?" some might justifiably ask, and the answer is crystal clear: "yes, absolutely!" So how did it happen? Well, I wanted a leather scent, consulted Google, and Cuoium was suggested to me. I quickly skimmed the description, was influenced by the striking bottle, and bam - into the shopping cart with the salmon! A few days later, I did my first spray, and I was so positively overwhelmed that words can't even begin to do it justice. Deep black dark leather with minimal fruity background notes and even a certain animalistic freshness, if that even exists. In short: I've worn this fragrance every day since then and received comments of all kinds for it. From "What are you wearing, I need that too" to "Dude, you smell seriously like an ashtray," it was all there. For me, it’s clear: this fragrance is a true work of art, an olfactory stroke of genius that truly seeks no equal. For me, it's a legendary scent that will likely accompany me for the rest of my life, because I will definitely ALWAYS repurchase it.

Due to numerous reviews here, I became curious about the fragrance and quickly bought a sample. Upon the first spray, I was immediately captivated; I had truly never smelled anything like it before. The scent itself is indeed something very special and has a unique characteristic. Menthol and mint are present right from the start, as well as the woody-oud aquatic notes. BUT - and here comes the aspect that bothers me - the patchouli personally dominates too much for me and makes the other fragrance notes seem rather passive in the background. It is also present from the very beginning and runs through the entire development of the fragrance; only in the drydown does it fade and is replaced by the actual aquatic notes, which remind me a bit of Orto Parisi's Megamare, just not as intensely strong. That very drydown is, for me, also the greatest strength of this fragrance. The longevity is beyond any doubt, and the sillage is excellent; even after 8 hours, it still radiates quite well. Without the patchouli, the fragrance would be a clear 10 out of 10 for me; as it stands, it only reaches a good 8.

I had read quite a bit about the fragrance beforehand, both positive and negative. Right off the bat: yes, it’s true that Oud 31 comes across as extremely animalistic in the opening, you either love it or you hate it. As for me, I think it’s incredibly awesome! Some associate it with a cow stable, for me it comes across like a fully ripe Camembert. Do I perceive this as negative? No, on the contrary, as strange as that sounds. The piercing animalistic note comes directly with a beautiful rose and a bit of lavender, this combination of rugged brutality and completely contrasting nuances is simply amazing! The so-called "cheesy" aspect fades for me after about 5 minutes and transitions into something wonderfully resinous-woody with a strong smoky note; I would even go so far as to draw certain parallels to Ombre Nomad. You can hardly make a clearer statement with this fragrance, Oud 31 radiates enormous strength and confidence. For me, it definitely leans towards the masculine; on a woman, the scent would seem strange or inappropriate. Longevity and sillage go far beyond beast mode, this stuff is a real powerhouse. Kai, if you happen to read this: with Oud 31, you have created a legendary fragrance that truly stands out. Full marks for this olfactory masterpiece!