Aoud Café

"Bittersweet and spiked coffee with an alternating twist of black currant and amber. It's not overly synthetic yet feels clearly artificial. The scent reminds me of a coffee aroma applied to a textured fabric, giving it depth. While there’s no traditional leather note, it still has a distinct character."

I blindly purchased this fragrance because I love coffee-scented perfumes. In the comments section, multiple people have commented that it reminds them of New Harlem 😐. I can't believe 23 people think it smells like that! It has a strong presence of celery and carrots, which I was not expecting. I thought if this blind buy turned out to be masculine, I could gift it to my husband. However, the scent is quite earthy and vegetable-like, which makes me not want him to wear it near me. I'm praying I can sell it before anyone else notices.

I was initially struck by a scent that made me think of coffee—specifically capuccino. When I asked my sister to sniff it, she surprised me by saying it reminded her of Jack Daniels honey, which I agree with wholeheartedly. It’s boozy, sweet, and woodsy without being overly sugary or making my stomach turn. What a unique fragrance! It was a blind buy that’s made me genuinely happy.

For me, this perfume feels like a skin scent, but it doesn’t last more than 30 minutes. I have to really rub my nose to catch a faint, inoffensive oud scent after the initial coffee-like blast that fades away quickly. Unlike some reviews, there’s no celery note here—it’s all about the coffee and oud. It’s definitely a workplace-friendly fragrance if you don’t want to take any chances. It lasts well over 10 hours but stays incredibly close to the skin. At the price point, I feel like you’re mostly paying for the brand name rather than the substance. While it is pleasant, it feels overpriced for what you get. A year later, when I bought it on discount, I realized my initial impression was a bit off. This juice isn’t a skin scent—it’s more of a projector. It clings to your skin and lasts for hours, but it’s very similar to another perfume I’ve tried—a cousin named Mancera Aoud Vanille. The coffee note is there at first, but it disappears fast, leaving behind a creamy oud vanilla that lingers. I’m not sure why someone would want both unless you specifically love the initial coffee burst.

This perfume often doesn't get the attention it deserves, particularly if you have a soft spot for coffee-based scents. When I first tried it, I was expecting a strong celery note, like everyone mentions, but as I wore it more, that initial impression softened. Honestly, many Mancera perfumes have unique and sometimes quirky opening notes. I believe it’s unisex, even though at first, it seemed targeted toward men. Don’t take my word for it, but after drying down, the scent transforms into a rich coffee aroma, much like a cappuccino. Blended with wooden nuances, citrus accents, floral elements, and musky undertones, the result is a smooth and versatile fragrance that’s easy to wear. Is this one of my top Mancera perfumes? Probably not, but it’s still a solid choice. If you enjoy rich coffee scents and can handle that initial celery note, it’s definitely worth exploring.