Musk Aoud

My first wearing of this well loved perfume. The main novelty is that instead of straight up Rose Oud, the perfumer recreates this as a Floral chypre. The result is a refined although highly neutered Oud which quite frankly is not worth all this hoopla. Yes it is delicate and luxurious and Oud mellowed into a floral appetizer for Western tastes but is it worth the 800 dollars they charge for it? Not by a long shot but there is no doubt that ingredients used are of high quality and it is packaged well. This is a status scent and it carries that off in a quiet and understated manner. Moderate sillage, projection and longevity. I don't think I will be getting a full bottle because even a relatively much less expensive Rose Oud like Thirty Three or Salim Bagh 1619 have much more depth and character. Strictly recommended for folks with money to burn or acquiring a perfume bottle as a status symbol.

Sadly looks as though this has been discontinued. I’m upset because I was trying to save the money to pick this one up and now it looks like I never will be able. I have a very small 2 ml decant. In my opinion it’s the best smelling in the Aoud collection, and the more masculine between Amber Aoud and it. Now I don’t know what I’m gonna do!😩

Within the Aoud line, Musk Aoud strays the furthest from the original composition. It initially opens very bright, soft and sweet with a sparkling hit of rose, jasmine and ylang with a slight sharpness coming from lemon. From here the clean musky base develops beautifully. Instead of aiming to replicate natural deer musk here, Roja has demonstrated the innocent beauty of ambrette of the highest quality. Rather than smelling dirty and animalic, the musk is sweet, floral and almost soapy. An array of woods mingle with smooth leather and oakmoss to give the base a creamy, addictive finish. Musk Aoud has to be the best interpretation of ambrette I’ve ever smelled, it’s gentle and subdued yet so incredibly addicting and alluring. There’s a hint of the original Aoud scent profile in the background, however this fragrance goes entirely in its own direction. I really enjoy wearing this one in the spring and summer as the heat really brings all these notes to life.

After many years, the call of this fragrance being discontinued (I hope it isn’t true) finally drove me to purchase a bottle, albeit at a heavily discounted price. I have had many samples and decants of this, so I can only hope it stays true when I receive it. This is in my opinion the best of the trio out of the original ‘Aoud’ fragrances. The musk in this is so inviting, regal, opulent. This fragrance is the prime example of a Roja fragrance, and one that fragrance collectors should not miss. If it truly is being discontinued, I feel sad for anyone who never gets to experience this beauty. 1 bottle should last me a life time considering how potent this is. One spray is all you need.

Blind bought a full bottle because of the hype. Can't understand the hype. It literally smells like ashes in the air and on my skin. Sillage and longevity aren't great. I can't think of anywhere I'd wear this too. It is a well blended scent for sure but definitely not everyone's taste. Test before you buy.