No.613 Oud Save The King

Atkinsons built Oud Save The King around an unusual juxtaposition: quintessentially British Earl Grey tea and bergamot meeting rich, smoky Middle Eastern oud, all wrapped in a suede-and-orris heart that gives the original a slightly powdery, tailored feel. Eden Perfumes' No.613 opens with a fresh citrus burst that captures the bergamot and tea character reasonably well, giving an immediate sense of the original's dandyish, sophisticated character. As it develops, the suede and orris notes provide a soft, slightly leathery bridge, though the effect is more understated than the original's distinctly refined, almost powdery texture. The base brings oud, sandalwood and amber together for a warm, earthy finish, which is a fair approximation of the original's rich, smoky drydown even if it lacks some of the complexity that comes from Atkinsons' pairing of guaiac wood and tonka bean. Performance is moderate rather than exceptional, a few hours of noticeable presence before fading, so it won't match the original's reputation for lasting well into the evening. It's a decent way to sample the tea-and-oud concept that made the Atkinsons Oud Collection popular without the designer price tag.