DIOR
OUD ISPAHAN
2018
PERFUMER
Francois Demachy
Woody Notes
Rose
Smoke
Resin
Myrrh
Floral Notes
Oud Ispahan was first released in 2012 OUD ISPAHAN (2012) • DIOR. It was reformulated in 2018 OUD ISPAHAN (2018) • DIOR🔺.
‘NAME
Oud Ispahan elegantly embraces an oriental identity: it is the olfactory translation of an Oriental palace, where shimmering hues meld with intoxicating scents to become one.
CHARACTER
Sophisticated charm and a traveler’s soul influence the powerful character and accents of Oud Ispahan. It is an uncompromising fragrance that highlights its woody force with the spicy, decisive character of Damascus Rose.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE
Oud Ispahan is a fragrance that arouses curiosity and invites you on an olfactory journey with its oriental soul tinged with a floral softness.
COLOUR
The ochre hue of the Oriental palace that inspired the fragrance and the intense red of the Damascus Rose.
FAMILY
Oud-floral. It is the member of the Maison Christian Dior family of precious Ouds with a floral signature. A captivating fragrance that gives this olfactory evocation of the Orient a powerful identity, based on an Oud accord adorned with the softness of Rose.
INTENSITY
Oud Ispahan is an intense fragrance that cannot be forgotten.’ – Dior
‘Oud Ispahan opens the doors to an ochre-walled Oriental palace filled with captivating fragrances. The smoky trail of smoldering Wood, the softness of floral Water lingering on washed hands. It is the fragrance of this voluptuous atmosphere where odors of Rose, Frankincense and Resin waft in the air. A fragrance as velvety plump as the Roses of the Orient.’ – Francois Demachy
This review is about the 2018 reformulated version of Oud Ispahan.
Oud Ispahan is the perfect balance of a rose with soapy, earthy and fruity hints and a saffron and oud base. The saffron gives the fragrance a leathery edge as it dries. The opening has a bit of a rugged edge, although these newer formulations supposedly miss the real kick of the original releases. I still think it’s quite loud with a bit of edge and solid performance overall.
There’s a sweetness that comes through. Labdanum is listed and that can get really sweet, although Oud Ispahan feels a bit more sugary than most labdanum fragrances. Rose is one of my favorite notes regardless, but I think for men who usually don’t wear florals, this is still worth checking out. While for women who are used to wearing rose, Oud Ispahan might be a tad more mature or even daring. It’s perfectly unisex and in my opinion at the same time classy, but still a statement maker.
This rose and oud (and patchouli and saffron) style has been done to death, but Oud Ispahan still feels special to me. I finally picked up the 40ml recently and I’m happy to report that this brand-new formulation isn’t watered down so much that it’s lost all it’s edge and it’s still a great performer (it’s louder and lasts way longer than recent formulations of Bois D’Argent, Gris Dior or Ambre Nuit on my skin).