All Notes: Guatemala cardamom, pink pepper, Turkish rose, Egyptian geranium, methyl pamplemousse, Virginia cedarwood, Indonesian patchouli, Indian papyrus, Somalia incense, sandalwood, Macedonian oakmoss, Spanish cistus labdanum, musks.
If your anything like me, you'll be paying for Rose oud, thinking about nothing other than the three perfumes coming up ahead. From By Kilians five masterpieces, very ideally named 'Arabian Nights'. Call me greedy, and I'll admit, I am. When I like something, I like it. And will want to devour it till every last piece, but in this case; bottle. By Kilian has totally refurbished the Westerners idea of Oud, anyone who has visited the Middle East will have smelled this pouring out in air from shops, souks, homes and so forth. However those whom like the nostalgic, mysterious but yet enchanting scent find yourselves purchasing 'Le Labo Oud 27', Dior Leather Oud, L'Artisan Al Oud or (I really hope not) Bond No.9's Signature fragrance. Or maybe one of the other concoction's which have made Oud extremely available to the west. However, there is no need to settle for less now this line is out, and currently dominating our Western Oud World!
Moving on, swiftly: Incense Oud, was sent to me as a sample, which wasn't needed as I was already sold. Apparently there isn't a calm before Kilians storm, he built us up to slowly bring us down, a very euphoric switch in state of mind. Pure Oud made you feel important, Rose Oud made you feel like Betty Crocker with a whip, and Incense Oud, makes you feel... like a fairy in a fresh rose skirt dancing with Lions and Tigers. Unfortunately the incense is not so...incense. Its a sure absence in class. However it is the most sensual, sexual, slip on before you sleep Oud from Kilian.
The Guatemala cardamom and pink pepper give me slight deja vu of another favorite of mine: Clive Christian 'X'. Which I also love, yet not enough to buy. Its like my part time lover, I first sprayed it in Neiman Marcus, Texas but like my Cartier 'L'heure mysterieuse XXI' I have slowly lost love of it. And now it sits on the shelf like an overworked 35 year old woman finally realizing, she should maybe start looking for a spouse. However I don't think the same is going to happen with Incense Oud, but we will see...
I tried to keep my story secluded to words rather the diary of notes, as I know By Kilian has converted some 'regular perfume by-goers' who think Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is the highlight of a perfume store. Into full blown appreciators of the unknown. It can be found at Bergdorf Goodman, call to place a delivered order. And LuckyScent.com.
