Oud Ispahan (2012)
by Christian Dior

Oud Ispahan is another glossy, sophisticated, particularly silky and clean Western oud-inspired scent, with not much left of the original, animalic “dirtiness” and rawness of Far East’s precious (rotten) gem. Here, the oud note is basically only a tamed-down and polished sort of “dark-smoked” woody note, as scary as a piece of cedar in a Halloween dark costume. Not much else apart from the “mandatory” rose note so many oud scents seem to require these days – I guess to make it softer, trendier and more unisex; and a note of patchouli, basically an earthy-dusty flavor of cocoa floating beneath woods and rose. Despite having not much to do with proper agar wood, Oud Ispahan is undoubtedly a refined, pleasant, luxurious scent exuding “contemporary chic”, with just a hint of trendy shallowness – far superior to Montale stuff, for instance, and many other synthetic ouds we’re used to. This smells a bit artificial too, but somehow classier. Oud lovers may want to stay away from this, while it may suit fans of “French luxury” which want to “smell expensive” with a touch of dark exoticism. The price is surreal for the quality but I feel that wouldn’t be a concern of the average “exclusive” Dior’s lines customer.

6,5-7/10

27^th November, 2014

A somewhat poised rose-oud composition which treads gently on the genre. The rose patchouli accord is well executed here, very smooth with just a smidgen of animalic oud similar to the one I found in Leather Oud, lending it additional depth. Oud Ispahan projects very well and has above average longevity but there is a certain dryness about it that to my nose is reminiscent of the ubiquitous woody amber found in many masculine fragrances of late. While far from spectacular, still a solid offering from the house of Dior.

29^th July, 2014

This starts with a jammy rose and oud which is soon joined by patchouli making the scent more earthy. As time passes the scent gets more woody from a dose of sandalwood.

This smells nice and is well done but just does nothing to distinguish itself from a dozen or so similar scent on the market.

13^th June, 2014

Ispahan is an excellently balanced and presented oud / rose fragrance. It performs brilliantly on the skin. Its materials are top quality. It is beautiful.

As a rose / oud fragrance, Ispahan is also regrettably distant from uniqueness, but perhaps its undeniable quality is enough: If I wanted a quality oud / rose fragrance (which I do not), of the dozen or so that I’ve reviewed, this would be the one I would buy because it’s the safest decision. This one can’t be wrong if one is looking for an oud / rose fragrance... but that doesn't necessarily make Ispahan right.

07^th April, 2014

ISPAHAN (we call it ISFAHAN here!) is the name of one the biggest provinces of IRAN and there are big rose (persian rose) garden there and the rose note in this fragrance has been taken from there (it seems!)

This fragrance opens up with the dominating persian rose note mixed with oud and white musk and the smell of it brings me back memories of my childhood where many mans like our grandfathers were using hand made perfumes made by this kind of rose.
It's sweet, fresh but at the same time dark, woody and dirty musky because of oud and white musk notes.
The scent has a classic vibe and it dosen't smell like modern rose fragrances that you can find these days on the market.
As time goes by the scent gets smoother and I can smell a fruity vibe like cherry! yep!
It's like a fresh and a little tart cherry smell mixed with rose and there are oud and musk notes surrounding it.
In the base I can smell mostly white musk with it's dirty animalic feeling and there is a little bit of rose completely in the background.
All and all, a simple and high quality oud and rose combo that smell a little different from other ones out there.
Projection is above average and longevity is around 8 hours on my skin.

06^th February, 2014

Wearing Oud Ispahan is like being with a lover I know it could never work with, but who is just so crushingly, shamelessly gorgeous that I have to keep going back for more. The base is a fruity, syrupy, indolic wood that lasts on my clothes for weeks. And it gets better every time. Yet still in those first few moments of rose which don’t quite sit comfortably, I’m reminded that if I take a bottle home with me, it will only end in heartbreak. ****

30^th November, 2013