ROJA PARFUMS
Aoud Extraordinaire
2024
PERFUMER
Roja Dove
bergamot
mandarin
grapefruit
apple
pear
mango
peach
plum
pineapple
lily-of-the-valley
geranium
orange blossom
red rose
jasmine
heliotrope
cyclamen
vetiver
dry woods
oud
amber
candyfloss
toffee
vanilla
leather
cashmere
musk
‘A perfumery house globally-recognised for its mastery over the Oud ingredient, ROJA are pleased to introduce an exciting new addition to the Aoud Collection. As only the pioneer of haute perfumery could, ROJA re-imagines the timeless enchantment of the Oud accord for the modern era. Taking inspiration from the world’s capital of luxury, Aoud Extraordinaire Parfum is the personification of the glittering lifestyle of Dubai. Refusing to be weighed down by tradition, this uplifting Oud gives a nod to an ancient perfumery practice and swiftly updates it for the contemporary mindset. A bright cocktail of tropical fruits and refreshing flowers create a radiance that can light up any room. For presence and esteem, a bed of Cashmere and delicious Gourmand notes suggest the indulgence of a well-lived life. Allowing any who wear it feel as though they are dripping in gold, Aoud Extraordinaire is something so unexpectedly new, it feels extraordinary. This is luxury for all to enjoy.’ – Roja Parfums
Aoud Extraordinaire was one of the samples that I was most curious to get my nose on this year. As I loved Lost In Paris, but was letdown by PDV Chou Chou in terms of Roja’s ‘gourmands’ in the same year. Long story very short, this falls in between, I like the scent to some extent, but I find it hard to find a Roja that feels more overpriced than Aoud Extraordinaire and it’s not even remotely what I was expecting from it.
First of all, Aoud Extraordinaire has little relation to either of those. It’s been compared to Lost In Paris on other sites, but frankly, I don’t see much of resemblance at all. Lost In Paris has one of the best buttery gourmand facets in it (it’s everything that I hoped Sweetie Aoud‘s pastry accord was), but I don’t get much (or any?) gourmand facet in Aoud Extraordinaire.
Aoud Extraordinaire is much more traditionally feminine leaning, brighter and fruitier and does not have the familiar ‘aoud’ core from other Roja’s. If you go in expecting even a smidge of Aoud, Amber Aoud, Musk Aoud, Taif Aoud or fragrances like Pierre de Velay No. 6 or Parfum de la Nuit 1 etc. in this, you’re going to be left disappointed. I don’t perceive any skank or animalic hints, not even a fiery amber. Instead, this is (rightfully) placed in with Enigma Aoud & Isola Sol by Fragrantica voters. A full-on fruity-floral scent with a growing sweetness. As a whole, given my expectations, the marketing images, the notes and price point, I felt instantly underwhelmed, despite not disliking the scent.
Personally, I was indeed reminded mostly of Isola Sol; it wears like a flanker of it. I find Aoud Extraordinaire more tart. It’s fruity, almost bitter and dry fruity with very acidic tinges. Reminding me a bit of the Xerjoff Torino 24 fruity hairspray opening. I don’t get a juicy or sweet pineapple and mango for example in the opening, but more of the pear and fruit skins. Texture-wise , it’s more airy than juicy.
Followed by a lot of florals, which is where the Isola Sol direction comes into play. There’s a hint of sun tan lotion from Isola Sol’s DNA, but whereas that felt very jasmine centric to me, here I get more of a floral mix; still jasmine, but neutral, more orange blossom and perhaps a tad more green too (in a retro, lily-of-the-valley/muguet way). With a suede hint popping up underneath. That suede-ish vibe grows as it dries, but it feels very cashmeran and dry rather than a full-fledged leather or saffron.
The longer I wear it, the sweeter it grows, but never in a gourmand way. Luckily, also not in a Baccarat Rouge 540 way like ChouChou had, but it’s fruity sweet, sugar sweet, rather than sticky or syrupy toffee and vanilla.
Aside from it being more floral, it feels more like a fragrance produced for Terenzi or one of those Chris Maurice fruity scents for Terenzi & Sospiro, than a €720 Roja. If this was in the Roja Essences line which is at the time of writing discounted on the official Roja site for €140/100ml, my review would be less firm.
Quite a few people I’ve spoken to are enamored by Aoud Extraordinaire, so obviously experiences will vary; I don’t detect much gourmand and nothing remotely animalic that others seem to find in here. Maybe if I came in with different expectations I would’ve liked this more. I like the scent moderately as it stands, but find little interest in it. It’s a bit more fun and fruity than Isola Sol, although I personally lean towards liking Isola Sol more and I would surely pick Enigma Aoud over them in the same realm. This is just not the type of fragrance that I would ever look to Roja Parfums or this price class for.