FEEL OUD
OUD DE GRAND

2023

PERFUMER
Dmitry Bortnikov
Russian Adam

pink pepper
jasmine
Thai oud

‘Exceptional, unique, and luxurious floriental oud composition that consists of around 50% pure, natural Thai oud oil with a gourmand and delicious scent profile. Perfectly blended with the rarest type of distilled jasmine grandiflorum and sprinkled with a touch of pink pepper on top. Enjoy the beauty of the rarest natural ingredients used in abundance to achieve the most extraordinary aroma.’ – Feel Oud

This was my first time trying Feel Oud and it quickly became clear that this was not for me. I’m clearly not a seasoned oud-enthousiast, but I have smelled a couple dozen of both Bortnikoff and Areej Le Dore/Russian Adam’s works and liked the majority. However, describing Oud de Grand as a ‘gourmand and delicious scent profile’ as the brand does, feels like a strong disconnect.

There’s a sweetness as it dries down, for sure. But this is mostly on the daring side and barnyardy. Not fecal barnyardy at all mind you, but like burnt hay and grass. It’s smoky, it’s a bit sweet, but still has that green, rooty, grassy vibe that permiates so many of certain types of ouds.

As the dust settles, a dark, sharp, almost metallic jasmine pierces through. At no point remotely gourmand to my nose. This is an indole-heavy jasmine with earthy tones. It’s my favorite part of the composition, but definitely not my favorite jasmine.

Not as easy to wear as most of the fragrances that Areej Le Dore has released since the 6th Collection and not as sweet as many of the more recent Bortnikoff either.