LES BAINS GUERBOIS
Oud Laque

2022

PERFUMER
Mathieu Nardin

raspberry
cardamom
saffron

rose
bourbon geranium
guaiac wood

oud
benzoin
patchouli

‘A game of mirrors. Veined, gleaming, warm, exotic, precious. At Les Bains Paris, our silhouettes are reflected in the lavishly lacquered wood. Spaces within a mythical place. A trail of perfume. Spiritual potency. Radiant evanescence. Dark sensuality. Saffron, geranium, oudwood. Synesthesia. CAPTIVATING & CHARISMATIC. The tartness of raspberry brings a touch of sweetness to a spicy top note with roasted and subtle animal facets of saffron. The rosy note of geranium Bourbon confers elegance and sophistication to a woody structure with a strong personality. The oud evokes a dark leather with warm and smoky undertones. While the balsam facets of benzoin give a warm atmosphere to the whole.’ – Les Bains Guerbois

The heaviest fragrance from Les Bains Guerbois to me (perhaps in combination with Purple Night, as tuberose can be demanding).

Oud Laque reminds me of the Maison Francis Kurkdjian oud fragrances. A very similar essence of oud stylistically, although a tad more leathery perhaps. Missing the brightness from the lychee and rose in Oud Satin Mood, although not as dry leathery perhaps as the discontinued Oud Velvet Mood. This sits more in between that line and the more oud focused Dior Oud Ispahan or Roja Amber Aoud.

I wore this on a warm evening, next to 3 other fragrances, which I wouldn’t recommend. It is however, very nicely done.

That leathery tinge keeps it rich and opulent, whereas the rest of the composition does go a bit too sugary for my taste (I have the same issue with modern batches of Oud Ispahan).