Incense Oud

I got this for Christmas and was extremely happy ripping open the box and giving myself a couple of blasts....I had never smelled this one before and I was immediately surrounded by wafting, smoky rich tendrils of scent. Ooooh, what a gorgeous smell. I've finally found a perfect...wait a minute! Where did the smell go? Oh there it....nope, gone again! Sigh This perfume smells absolutely amazing...for about 15 minutes. Then it's gone. I'm not kidding. Deep and luscious one second, gone the next. I don't think that I will buy anymore kilian perfume once I've used all that I have. They are well constructed and smell amazing, but they just don't last for the cash. Scent 9/10 Projection 4/10 Fortitude 2/10

I have to agree with so many other reviews here. This is an amazingly beautiful scent... for 15 minutes. After an hour it tones down and becomes very close to the skin. After a few hours it is completely gone. The only time I can see this one working is right before you walk onto stage for your 15 minutes of fame. But like the 15 minutes of fame, this one will fade just as fast. A great scent to try, but I wont be adding this to my collection.

I am glad that I got this sample from the salesperson at HN; generally I do not buy perfumes with Oud notes or those with Arabian night themes because honestly I believe that all the perfumes in the market for Oud are simply Oriental and not truly Arabian. This one smells nice and mystical and lasts wonderfully on clothes for a long time. It invokes feelings of religious mysticism and a slight feeling of sadness (I can't help but feel a bit down when spraying it) . However, like most Oud perfumes I find it more westernized, perhaps it is made for the European taste and so the Oud is subdued while other spices are given more dominance. Notes of cardamom, spices, pepper, nutmeg are used in almost all perfumes where Oud is used in the perfume name, these are indeed warm and spicy but they are Oriental scents and do not represent Arabian fragrances (yes cardamom is used in coffee though but still perfumery is a different area). It might be a modern and contemporary approach by all perfume houses to Oud but Arab perfumers treat Oud differently and place high importance on how strong the note is while Frankincense and myrrh are used for religious and mystical reasons. Oud is used during festivities or to lift the mood spiritually therefore Oud and Frankincense are never mixed; at least they do not burn both at the same time. For example, Oud oil, rose oil and vetiver are great ingredients when mixed together. The spiritual and emotional effect of Oud mixtures should invoke excitement, sophistication and self-assurance if you stay true to the elements. However, adding lots of other notes takes the Arabian essence out and turns it to an Oriental or European interpretation of Oud. That being said, the Incense Oud is a genius concoction of great elements, smells naturally great and strong but at times I feel confused when using it should I feel mystic and humble (that's the Frankincense working) or sophisticated and confident (shy Oud lurking). In all, it is a great experience to try this one out of the Arabian Nights collection and I couldn't help but write my review :)

The main focus is on the frankincense and the gorgeous opening adds oud and spices. These will fade leaving space to a dirty patchouli paired with a thick, sweet rose and a resinous base. The blend is addictive, classy, elegant. Scent: 8.5/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 7/10

tonileefiore just wrote the perfect review of Incense Oud that I share 100% (complimenti...!). This fragrance brings me on a warm, sophisticated, wrapping cloud. My lady adores it.