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L'Artisan Al Oudh

post #1 of 42
3/29/10 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, I can't take it anymore. I have to share this with the crew. For the first time, I am thoroughly blown away by this creation!

If you're frustrated in L'Artisan and it's reputation for being fleeting, this is redemption.

While in CA I spotted this bottle at Scent Bar, but couldn't smell worth a damn and sadly had to head home the next day.

Once back in AZ I made the trip over to Barney's Scottsdale who luckily has a tester. With my fresh pallet of skin, I put on two full sprays down the inside of my shirt (always love chest contact personally), one to my neck, and one to the wrist.

Immediately, I fell in love with this stuff! It is NOTHING like L'Artisan's other selections! Duchaufour nailed it with this one!

It started out warm and only get's warmer over time. Very musky, spicy, and smoky. Usually, it's hard to mix the three and come out with something well balanced, but I am honestly swept away by this. It has a immediate Christmas tree opening, but no worries, the musk/civet/cumin/oud create a whirlwind of provoking thoughts! It's dirty, spicy, smoky, clean, cuddly, manly, calming, and so much more.

Beautiful bottle, great juice with outstanding longevity and silliage. For those turned off to L'Artisan, I HIGHLY recommend giving this a try!

Just a friendly heads up.

-Tyler AKA FragranceJunkie
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post #2 of 42
3/29/10 at 6:03pm
I got a small decant of it and kind of like it too. Just not sure where it would fit in for me.

I know one of the knocks on it is that it's heavy on the cumin and light on the oud. If you love it, fantastic. It's pretty sexy juice.

I'd probably buy a bottle if they offered a 50ml. I agree it is pretty good longevity. But I think those who like oud scents find it lacking in the oud category. I had a sniff of By Killians Pure Aoud and I can see where they're coming from. I think it burned the hair out of my nostrils.
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post #3 of 42
3/29/10 at 6:12pm
I like a lot of L'Artisan fragrances, but I was not impressed with Al Oudless.
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post #4 of 42
3/29/10 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by petruccijc View Post

I like a lot of L'Artisan fragrances, but I was not impressed with Al Oudless.

Hahaha, I agree it is "Oudless" but if you get past that fact, I thought it was pretty good
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post #5 of 42
3/29/10 at 6:54pm
I like it a lot because it is a very different interpretation of oud. I get animalic honey, cumin and doughy iris in the topnotes, then it gradually becomes all about cumin, civet and oud. The oud here is very, very subdued and isn't medicinal at all. The nicest thing about Al Oudh is that doughy, honeyed note that carries throughout the composition. Smells a bit like a Lutens too, which is always good.
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post #6 of 42
3/29/10 at 8:53pm
Got it when it first came out and I love it.
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post #7 of 42
3/29/10 at 8:56pm
reminds me of Timbuktu, except Timbuktu is a masterpiece, oud is good, but no thanx, Timbuktu is better. and has more longevity and presense than the Oudh. the cumin note in Oudh is replaced by a strong cypriol note in Timbuktu, it gives the scent an expansive feel , Awesome, only rival is Sycomore.
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post #8 of 42
3/30/10 at 9:55am
L'Artisan Al Oudh impressed me far more than By Kilian's Pure Oud ever did... Thanks for sharing, Bingo. I think it's lovely.
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post #9 of 42
3/30/10 at 3:53pm
when do you like to wear this? Only problem I have at times with scents like this is finding a time/place to wear. I always seem to be grabbing for others.
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post #10 of 42
3/30/10 at 4:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by petruccijc View Post

I like a lot of L'Artisan fragrances, but I was not impressed with Al Oudless.

I agree. I found this to be far too cumin heavy to be called an oud. And I could have even forgiven that except that on my skin this has astonishingly short longevity.

Regards,
Steve
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post #11 of 42
3/30/10 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjas1962 View Post

I agree. I found this to be far too cumin heavy to be called an oud. And I could have even forgiven that except that on my skin this has astonishingly short longevity.

Regards,
Steve

I'm with you, Steve. I don't hate it, but it's a bit like dirty, sweaty crayons from all that cumin.
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post #12 of 42
3/30/10 at 7:38pm
I just cannot convince myself to fork out the bread for a bottle of this when I can put it towards a 1/4 tola of real oud.
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post #13 of 42
9/1/10 at 10:58pm
I actually smell a fair bit of castoreum in this, and something that smells more like oud chips (that kind of ambery/raspberry/fruity smell that is so present in M7) moreso than an oud oil.

What I find particularly unique about this is its extremely smooth, almost velvety texture. Somehow, it avoids coming across as flat. I've heard people describe Encre Noir as a dark scent.. decillisjl said of EN "this is what it smells like at the event horizon of a black hole." To me, that description better fits Al Oudh. It smells so so dark to me. It calls to mind that sensation of looking into a deep well where the depth fades into blackness, or the feeling of being in complete darkness, when you can't even see your hand when waving it in front of your face.

Does anyone else perceive Al Oudh that way?
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post #14 of 42
9/1/10 at 11:07pm
The cumin is too strong that it's starting to smell like BO!!! That's what turned me off.
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post #15 of 42
9/2/10 at 12:05am
Oud? what oud? I just sampled some L'Artisans today and Al-Oudh was one of them. I immediately dismissed it as boring, it's a nice scent with very very little oud in it. Maybe if I don't view it as an Oud fragrance I would like it more. But seriously, no oud in there...well, very little, not worthy to name the perfume after an almost non existent note.

All of the people praising it, have you tried other quality Oud fragrances? straight up oud oil? or you're saying it's a nice fragrance, not a nice oud fragrance.
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post #16 of 42
9/2/10 at 12:06am
It smells like unburned oud wood chips to me. A completely different note than Montale's rendition of the oud note.

I smell a hint of smoke and burning chips in the drydown, too. I think people are looking for a woody/medicinal/band aid rendition of the note and are disappointed when they aren't finding that.
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post #17 of 42
9/2/10 at 12:36am
Smells like a better quality, smoother version of M7 to be honest. I like it well enough though imo it's not exactly FBW stuff. I also did get that dark impression SoS highlighted but more in the exotic middle-eastern/Arabian Nights kinda of way. Perhaps those who are disapppointed at not finding dense, bitter almost medicinal oud notes may not be too familiar with L'Artisan Parfumeur signature style... I'm sure there's wardrobe space for Oudh Lite, or even Diet Oudh.
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post #18 of 42
9/7/10 at 10:14pm
This stuff sho' is good. My very first impression is "shot of Jack Daniels," and since I'm still only an hour in on my very first testing, I can't bring much more to the table at the moment.

Kind of like how Royal Delight's first impression is "glass of root beer."
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post #19 of 42
9/7/10 at 10:32pm
Yeah, I got a bit of a boozy impression at times too. It's odd that I still liked it as I'm not fan of whiskey. This stuff is just so smooth though. I feel bad for those who can't smell the castoreum in this - it's adding a beautiful inky/dark/velvet and leather feel and vibe.

A great yin to M7's yang.
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post #20 of 42
9/9/10 at 1:08am
Thread Starter 
I still love this fragrance and am planning a purchase soon.
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post #21 of 42
6/6/11 at 1:54pm
Crikey, this stuff is good! Can't help going for a spritz every time I'm up in town. I really don't care there's no oud in it as it's fabulously spicy and sufficiently different from my other scents to merit a purchase in the near future...
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post #22 of 42
6/6/11 at 11:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoombung View Post

Crikey, this stuff is good! Can't help going for a spritz every time I'm up in town. I really don't care there's no oud in it as it's fabulously spicy and sufficiently different from my other scents to merit a purchase in the near future...

It's got something, that's for sure. Warm and sensual in a quasi nasty way.
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post #23 of 42
6/6/11 at 11:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StylinLA View Post

It's got something, that's for sure. Warm and sensual in a quasi nasty way.


Good description. I would add intriguing in a quasi- un-european/american foreign way!
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post #24 of 42
8/24/11 at 2:51pm
This is the 2nd niche I am sampling (ok if we count Creed as niche, then 3rd after Musc Ravageur and GIT) and I am blown away. It reminds me MR bit, just more animalistic, darker and spicier. If every niche is as good, there are sooo many beautiful and unusual things to explore. Yay.
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post #25 of 42
8/24/11 at 3:56pm
I deslike this one. I amost puked when tried it. Montale Black Aoud is by far superior
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post #26 of 42
8/24/11 at 4:09pm
I love M7. Really have to try Al Oudh. Something tells me that I'll like it.
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post #27 of 42
8/24/11 at 9:55pm
I wasn't too impressed. The starting was decent but then the cumin took over sliming everything in a sweaty-sour-musty aura. Points to them for trying something a bit risky but it's not for me.
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post #28 of 42
8/25/11 at 5:03am
My samples of this one over time have been a little confusing.

The first couple vials I tried this were quite differrent from the most recent, about a month ago: It was the 'c' show: cumin/civet/cumin/castoreum/cumin. Earlier samples were closer to the oud/agarwood experiences akin to oud 27 and by kilians. I like edgy and my most recent sampling had me off to the local Merz Hypothecary but (like LuckyScent) they were out and I had to order some.

Well... 3 weeks and waiting. Man, I'm generally patient when it comes to these things but the delay makes me wonder. Am I gonna get Jekyl or Hyde? Is there really such a thing? Hey L'Artisan... if you're listening, please make my batch extra rambunctious! hehe {cough}
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post #29 of 42
8/30/11 at 11:32pm
After 2nd sampling I really like this one. Opening is to die for - dark, spicy, sweet with burned woods. To me it smells like "mystery". I worn it in gym and it felt really good. My question is: Is there anything with similiar opening as Al Oudh that keep its smell for longer time? I really love opening which is complex, but drydown smells simplier so if there is anything similiar but more complex on drydown... ?
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post #30 of 42
8/31/11 at 12:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dreamer81 View Post

After 2nd sampling I really like this one. Opening is to die for - dark, spicy, sweet with burned woods. To me it smells like "mystery". I worn it in gym and it felt really good. My question is: Is there anything with similiar opening as Al Oudh that keep its smell for longer time? I really love opening which is complex, but drydown smells simplier so if there is anything similiar but more complex on drydown... ?


I think Al Oudh is quite unique and the outstanding fragrance of the house but you could try Dior's superb Leather Oud. It's different to Al Oudh - more of a heavy, honeyed tobacco but very complex ad long-lasting. You might like it.
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post #31 of 42
8/31/11 at 12:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoombung View Post

I think Al Oudh is quite unique and the outstanding fragrance of the house but you could try Dior's superb Leather Oud. It's different to Al Oudh - more of a heavy, honeyed tobacco but very complex ad long-lasting. You might like it.

Thank you for suggestion. I don't like too heavy or tobacco fragrances much so I am not sure if Leather Oud would be for me. What I love about Al Oudh is its animalistic notes (probably civet that I smelled also in Kouros) and spices combined with incense. Another L'Artisan fragrance that gets lot of praise here - Tea For Two - was too dense and heavy for my taste.

I am reading Al Oudh reviews on various sites and maybe Jubilation XXV might be what I am looking for?
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post #32 of 42
8/31/11 at 12:36am
Do try out Yellow Sea by Micallef. It starts out brighter and fresher with lemon and lavender, but has a strong animalic civet/castoreum note throughout, along with a good deal of benzoin.

Only problem is that it's longevity is not necessarily better.

Two other suggestions: Djin and Monk by Michael Storer. Both quite animalic!

I also, somewhat hesitantly recommend checking out Bond's New York Oud. It's somewhat similar to your typical Montale oud/rose but is simultaneously more velvety and refined, and also more animalic than most. It's not quite as dark as Al Oudh, but it does have a human sweat and slightly animalic facet in its musk & honey accord, which stretches from the opening of the scent to the base. It's dark but not as inky black as Al Oudh.
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post #33 of 42
8/31/11 at 8:30am
Al Oudh has all the important hallmarks of Bertrand Duchafour's genius: beauty and mystery, married to a relaxed technical brilliance. But it plays its dirty/sexy card too far up front, which I think is its fault. As a result, it comes off a little too sluttish.
In theory, I love barnyard scents, but the combo of castoreum, civet, oud and cumin, all chomping at the bit, limit Al Oudh's quotidien value for me. I would only wear something like this to a cocktail party, and how often do I go to one of those?
Plus I'm already covered in the pretty and sh*tty department with my bottle of Amouage Gold Man.
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post #34 of 42
8/31/11 at 11:18am
I enjoy a little barnyard via MKK, but a pigsty is another story. This stuff is a scrubber. Nasty ass synthetic oud.
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post #35 of 42
9/17/11 at 7:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by volley2 View Post

The cumin is too strong that it's starting to smell like BO!!! That's what turned me off.

I thought it hinted at BO too on initial impression. I still need a full day wearing, I just might not go in public when I do.
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post #36 of 42
9/18/11 at 7:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by volley2 View Post

The cumin is too strong that it's starting to smell like BO!!! That's what turned me off.

Yes, it turned very nasty very quickly. Rose 31 evokes the same kind of unease in me, but I can tolerate it; Al Oudh was unwearable.
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post #37 of 42
9/18/11 at 4:37pm
My bottle arrived. Nice bottle!

I agree with just about all the comments regarding this one being quite rough around the edges. I also agree with comments regarding 'oud' in the name being a misnomer whether talking synthetic or real oud.

Granted, I popped around 12 sprays today as sotd... but 8+ hours and going strong. I'll probably dial it back a bit in the future, but I don't have longevity issues.

This is the now the most masculine scent I own. > Yatagan, yep. > MKK, yep. > Kouros, yep. > Cuba, yep. > Ajmal's Musk Ghazelle II, well no but that stuff don't count .

This is about as edgy as it gets folks. Not for all occasions, but I'll find enough of them to enjoy this bottle. I don't go in for the 'holy grail' concept and my nose is not very discriminating but Al Oudh is exactly what I'm after in a rough masculine scent. Bingo! One of the really good ones throughout my basenotes journey.

Like Bingo, I suggest that those searching for something hyper masculine include sampling Al Oudh. HOWEVER: If you're looking for an oud, you need a lot of balance, complexity, evolution to your scents, and especially if you have an aversion to the b.o. blast comensurate with cumin, then save your effort and pass it by.
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post #38 of 42
9/21/11 at 1:35am
I try to be open minded but this is just awful on me. A lot of people seem to like it, so maybe it's my skin chemistry, but I definitely won't be trying it again. I used about half my sample and flushed the rest down the toilet.
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post #39 of 42
10/27/11 at 6:20am
It's scary....I am starting to like this one. Oh no!!!! I am just not sure if it's worth getting a full bottle. I don't know if I can wear this in public. I enjoy it though when I'm sampling it.
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post #40 of 42
10/27/11 at 11:47am
Love this one. Easily one of the best of the line and full bottle-worthy for me.
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post #41 of 42
10/27/11 at 9:55pm
I still maintain this smells exactly like some oud wood chips I have when they're burning.
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post #42 of 42
4/7/12 at 6:23pm
I hate that cumin is one of my alltime fav notes as I assume most people unfamiliar with perfume will think I need to take a shower. I've always associated L'AP with having very ethereal/effervescent scents but I got a sample of this one today and love it. This comment may not go over well with some, but I find it to take all the elements I liked about MKK (basically everything but the musk) and replace said musk with a very wearable (ie non medicinal) interpretation of oud.

As someone said earlier, this is not an oud scent necessarily but an oud-y scent. I think it's pretty great but cumin-centric notes are the one group of perfumes I'm hesitant to spring for bottles of simply because I know when it comes time to choose a fragrance before heading out I'll always chicken out -- it's very b.o.-ish to many. Serge Noire is the one cumin heavy scent that I wear publicly.
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