ELECTIMUSS
Gladiator Oud

2023

PERFUMER
Julien Rasquinet

saffron
cumin

honey
geranium
hay absolute
immortelle absolute

oud
patchouli
ambergris
cedarwood
vetiver

‘Inspired by the famed Gladiators of Ancient Rome, courageous warriors who dominated and entertained in the Colosseum, Gladiator Oud opens with a powerful and thrilling accord of salty, elemental ambergris. Cardamom combines with the cool of Egyptian geranium for an impression of steel and strength. Hay absolute, Haitian vetiver and cumin capture the sun warmed earth of the gladiatorial arena. Oud oil and cedarwood bring nobility and elegance to the battle, with the gold and glory of victory elicited through accords of intense saffron and honey. This fragrance exudes luxury and elegance.’ – Electimuss

Gladiator Oud is for the olfactory die-hards. A type of dry oud, where the hay and cumin are very prominent. Now, the cumin here doesn’t smell like body odor, which was a big help in my appreciating this fragrance, but it does smell like a kitchen spice rack in an Indian household.

This grassy, dry, hay undertone really gives the word barnyard a new meaning for me. As it’s not fecal or barnyardy as you might expect from certain types of oud, but it definitely reminds me of an outdoors, barn in the midst of a warm day, with a consistent ashy smoky in the distance.

Reminiscent of Frederic Malle Promise as some have noted before me, but I think significantly more serious. Slightly medicinal, slightly more earthy and dirty, definitely feels more Middle Eastern-styled than what Promise promised to deliver in the first hours.

The late drydown leans heavy into the smokiness and to my own surprise, I quite enjoyed it. I can’t say that I would opt to wear this one much overall though. But I can appreciate it and if you want something daring, this could be for you.