Opus V by Amouage, 2011

Though I am giving this a thumbs up, the mid and basenotes smell almost exactly like Montale Aoud Musk. I like Aoud Musk which is why I'm giving this a thumbs up. However, I prefer to pay Montale prices vs Amouage prices. Opening is better than Aoud Musk but only lasts about 10 minutes.

Prologue: UK version. Hello cheeky! Yes, as Robert Webb quips in the new adverts, in some ways the combinations of dense earthy, civet notes in Opus V might be like waking up one morning and discovering one of those pesky meerkats in your bed! Review: However, joking aside, as the wonderful reviews below describe, this is another bold, fascinating creation from Amouage that deserves special mention as it refrains stolidly from following any comfortable generic line, rather, for my silly old nose, Opus V belongs in the company of such animalic, almost bizarre, strong 'outside' creations such as Montales Aoud Cuir dArabie; Lutens vintage Muscs Koublai Khan and vintage Rose Poivree by The Different Company. I would have been intrigued to discover this theme with dark, citrusy top/middle notes up-front along the lines of its very distant cousins, Derby or vintage Bel Ami, but as it is Opus V is formidable and I love it! Maybe my olfactory musings above will arrive one day as, say, Opus XI? Simples! 7-10

The rum note along with oud turns it into a very interesting fragrance. Very different smell if you're used to rose+oud combo. Definetely a must try. Projection, lasting power and sillage are huge. Thumbs up!

After encountering one too many lacklustre orris creations, I was struck by the beauty of Opus Vs opening chord: subtle but insistent like a lover who knows how to go the distance. The union of the soft, pale, delicately sweet orris with the sheerest touch of booze and an almost creamy oud note is divine. Please someone, find a way of prolonging this, bottle it and bring it on the market. For Opus V soon goes down another path, which is ultimately less rewarding. The oud becomes brasher and gains in prominence and is preserved in the dry wood accord mentioned in the official list. This latter is stuff you will probably have encountered before; it seems to dry out the nasal membranes and has an addictive quality like glue fumes. There is a hefty dose in Opus V which results in a wearing experience a bit like a drugs high, but it does seem a bit of a cheat after the artistry of the top.

A norlimbanol bomb. Opus V opens with a magnificent accord of iris paired with a woody-oudish note and some booze. Just terrific. Unfortunately, norlimbanol, which is an extremely powerful woody amber aromachemical takes over in the middle phase driving the fragrance towards an endless dry woody-oudish-incensey drydown that resembles of way too many fragrances of the same genre. From many Montale's to Nasomatto via the botloads of synthetic woody compositions available on the market. I still kind of like this stuff but I seriously doubt there would be someone going through a whole bottle. Extremely powerful and with tenacious lasting power.

Green and floral is the opening, not a blast but gently yet firm in its introduction.  The floral component shows up with a sweet iris-orris notes with rose and later a wood component added in.  Projection is modest, which makes it a possible office and day scent in autumn, and longevity over four hours.  This is nothing extraordinary but very smooth and well composed.  

Strong agarwood oud with equally strong floral and rum notes. I like it, but i would say it is much more inclined towards a woman. It's not just the number of sweet notes, it's the nature of the sweetness really: It's woman sweet. But whatever, scents are not made just for men, my lady would smell great with this on, thumbs up.