L’Artisan Parfumeur Al Oudh is unlike anything else in the L’Artisan line. It’s filthy. It’s dirty and it doesn’t fit with those “usual” Giacobetti blends in the line.

The first time I wore Al Oudh, I expected some rose-oud thing that we’re all used to. I applied it, went out and felt embarrassed  I got very self-conscious, fearing that I smelled like a sweaty groin. I’d get this whiff of well, body parts that haven’t been showered during the middle of a heatwave. I went home. I showered out of perfume-inflicted shame. It took me over a year to try the fragrance again.

Al Oudh isn’t as filthy as a I remember. It opens with spiced leather, very heavy with the savory, mouth-watering cumin. There’s a sweetness that I don’t remember that smells like raisins. Here comes the oud and patchouli, it’s cold and camphoric. The heart is an animalic oud with a hint of cumin/cedar B.O smoothed by musk. I absolutely love the dry down of Al Oudh. It’s warm woods with spoonful of vanilla to make the medicine go down. I’m very happy that I have worn it again.

Here’s the deal, Al Oudh is filthy in warm weather. In cooler weather it wears really nicely with the perfect amount of funk. I feel so wussy about the fear I had for it. Overall, it’s well balanced.

Notes listed include cumin, cardamom, pink pepper, date, rose, neroli, incense, saffron, leather, oud, Atlas cedar, castereum, civet, sandalwood, patchouli, myrrh, vanilla, and tonka bean. Launch date 2009. PERFUMER – Bertrand Duchaufour

Give Al Oudh a try if you like skanky perfumes. Or if you like perfumes like Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan, Parfum d’Empire Aziyade, Huitieme Art Fareb, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Absolue pour le Soir and/or Tauer L’air du Desert Marocain. Al Oudh is unisex but it does lean more masculine.

Al Oudh has above average projection and longevity. I like perfume contrasts. With a perfume like this, I’d like to see it worn on a very “clean”, almost preppy appearing person.

The 3.4 oz bottle of Al Oudh retails for $165 at Beautyhabit. Samples are also available for purchase.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Spicy skank. Not something I want to wear that often but when it works for you, it works and you should probably wear it frequently.

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*Sample came with a purchase. Product pic from Barneys. Rudolph Ernst “Elegant Chieftain in his Palace”, late 1800’s.  Post contains affiliate links. Thanks!