Year: unknown
Notes: aged Indian agarwood
Indian oud (or agarwood) oil is probably the most challenging variety of its kind, in comparison to other varieties from different geographical regions. Because it's the most difficult variety to appreciate it's also, as a result, the least recommended for both the faint-hearted and newcomers to oud oils.
With most Indian agarwood originating from Assam (a state of India in the north-eastern region), the distilled oil would be best described as skanky, animalic, faecal and acrid. Exuding an astringent odour of barnyard decay, the closest olfactory resemblance to Indian oud would be civet. But, while civet reveals floral undertones, Indian oud becomes woodier as it evolves.
Dahn Oudh Al Shams is an alcohol-based rendition of this oil. But where many fragrance houses use synthetic oud molecules, Dahn Oudh Al Shams smells quite natural and realistic. In fact, from one's experience of Indian oud oils, it smells very close to the real thing, even though it's not as overwhelming or offensive as it could have potentially been.
It takes some time for its feral onslaught to calm down. But, when it eventually does, an enchanting woody and slightly sweet aroma comes to the fore. Yet civet-like nuances still continue to persist, at regular intervals, until the latter stages of the composition's creamy demise.
Although it's a one note scent, it still possesses sufficient complexity to sustain the wearer's attention. Also, it lasts for around three hours and produces moderate sillage. While it's not as uncompromising as the actual oil, which itself is very expensive, it makes a great affordable alternative.
With most Indian agarwood originating from Assam (a state of India in the north-eastern region), the distilled oil would be best described as skanky, animalic, faecal and acrid. Exuding an astringent odour of barnyard decay, the closest olfactory resemblance to Indian oud would be civet. But, while civet reveals floral undertones, Indian oud becomes woodier as it evolves.
Dahn Oudh Al Shams is an alcohol-based rendition of this oil. But where many fragrance houses use synthetic oud molecules, Dahn Oudh Al Shams smells quite natural and realistic. In fact, from one's experience of Indian oud oils, it smells very close to the real thing, even though it's not as overwhelming or offensive as it could have potentially been.
It takes some time for its feral onslaught to calm down. But, when it eventually does, an enchanting woody and slightly sweet aroma comes to the fore. Yet civet-like nuances still continue to persist, at regular intervals, until the latter stages of the composition's creamy demise.
Although it's a one note scent, it still possesses sufficient complexity to sustain the wearer's attention. Also, it lasts for around three hours and produces moderate sillage. While it's not as uncompromising as the actual oil, which itself is very expensive, it makes a great affordable alternative.
