Musk Aoud (2013)
by Roja Dove

I agree with every single compliment that everyone else has had to say about this fragrance in all the previous reviews...a big masterfully blended accord that is constantly changing... The oud is magnificent... Among all the other notes I got an occasional whiff of chocolate and civet...A musky dark rose is there...perfect projection...a scent that you can put your nose to and get lost in the images it can conjure up...Started with a slightly boozy feeling at times...this fragrance takes me to my happy place...

Its a unique fragrance. Its superiority in blending so nothing distracts you from the velvety experience of juicy tart citrus opening with rose, leather, moss and a gentle warmth of nutmeg, musks, tonka,vanilla and oud keeping the base warm. Just richness for miles. Opulent.

This is an incredible fragrance. Musk Aoud delivers an experience that is intoxicating and surreal. I was incredibly fortunate to purchase a 100ml bottle of the Parfum. This is everything, woody, leathery, smoky, musky, ambery, appropriately animalic, all sitting on the plushest, highest quality florals especially that plush rose and jasmine that underline many of Roja’s other amazing creations.

Absolue Precieux version: An enigma created by one of the most reputed houses in the niche perfumery. A rich blend of brisk rose, warm velvety musk and smoky balsamic oud note that actually gives off the feeling of true burning agarwood chips. Its also a bit animalic but its the most amazing touch of cultured suede; sensual and enticing. The perfume keeps on changing colors vividly every hour and needs colder weather to shine. The texture feels like a coat of scented animal fur on you. Lasts an easy 14 plus hours with a good sillage. Its not a huge people pleaser but a must have if you want to please yourself :-). The base is similar to the magnificent Aoud range by Roja. If you feel the price is way too much just like me, Cuir Obscur by Byredo (Harrod s exclusive) ~ 200usd is an equally enticing intimate scent if not equally complex and luminous in feel. But I had to have it and I wear it when I want to feel like Me.

Musk Aoud is a dense balsamic blend of rose, jasmine, oud, leather, woods and animalism of musk. The overall feel when this goes on is of a noble, highly evolved and complicated leather oud scent. I get bits of musk, roses, leathers, spice and oud. This is a masculine scent that shows its experience and worldly wisdom through artful and careful blending. Although Musk Aoud does not have the elevating expansiveness of Roja Aoud and it also lacks the warm dry eternal glow of Roja Amber Aoud, it does contain a deep complex character that is rare in any perfume that contains this variety of ingredients. A pure winner from Roja Dove.