Exotic Oud

Exotic Oud is the first eau de parfum from Samad Fragrances and the only spray in a range otherwise made of alcohol-free oils. The brand describes saffron first, warm and a little bitter, then a full, dark rose as the spray settles. Underneath sit smoky oud and deep woods that Samad says stay on skin and clothes long after you leave the room. The pyramid is short and direct: saffron at the top, rose at the heart, oud and woods in the base. That is a familiar combination in Arabian-influenced perfumery, where saffron and rose are used to soften and brighten the oud rather than hide it. Samad says it projects more than its oils in the first hour, then settles close to the skin for 8 to 10 hours of wear. It is sold as unisex, in a 50ml bottle with a 5ml size to try it first. The shop lists it at 30 pounds for 50ml, which puts it at the accessible end of oud perfume. An eau de parfum contains alcohol, so people who want an alcohol-free oud are pointed to the house's oil range instead. No independent wearer reviews were found at the time of writing, so the performance scores follow the brand's own description and the concentration. It suits cooler weather and evening wear best.