Meat, Cheeses, Oud

The day started ominously; I lost my father's ring.

In fairness, I had already seen the warnings. The ring was loosening on that finger from time to time. It seems most unfair. How come my fingers are thinning when the rest of me is doing the opposite? But of course, I never heed the warning til the bad thing happens, and sure enough I found myself facing that moment's dismay. After turning the house upside down I found the ring hidden in the folds of two drying up cloths bundled together in the kitchen, proof that housework is simply bad for me. The ring is sitting in a safe place now, while I work out which ring-guards to buy.

Because there are things to be looked at, some of which are tedious, others distressing and still others just frustrating, plus What We Do In The Shadows is itself shadow of what it was, I return to perfume. Oud!

Right now, everything's got oud in it. I wouldn't be surprised to find a ready meal citing oud as an ingredient. I have already dismissed 'Gladiator Oud' by Electimuss, have done with 'Silver Oud' by Amouage, but there are a fair few others in my Christmas sample selection. Yesterday I decided to brave the big one, Russian Oud II by Areej Le Doré.

A nice thread of dark chocolate note hit me straight away, not a touch of sweetness to it, lots of amber, tobacco and of course,that ubiquitous oud, only to eventually become smokey with an occasional touch of liquorice. It was...OK. The first ALD scent I have found a bit of a let down after the first blast. I insisted that R try some, and he wrinkled his nose at the top notes. 'It's like a French delicatessen' he said.
I told him to keep his eye on it throughout the day, tell me how it developed. He did so, eventually saying 'it's very nice now...' And it was. But this was 12 hours later!
'I'd have to spray it on the day before,' he laughed.
I admire a top note that hangs on in there, but you can't wander round smelling like meat and cheeses in order to have a nice pong on your wrists half a day in, especially if you're going to be on a plane. People will have things to say. Around £399 for 53 mls. Majestic but bonkers.

Ah but. Today I am wearing Oud for Greatness by Initio! So far I have only tried this and High Frequency from this brand, and both suit me. Oud for Greatness is a lavender/patchouli combo with enough oud to be recognisable, and that's kind of it. Not for hot days, but pleasant for everything else. Compared to Russian Oud II, it has a price that's less crazy* with a bottle that's more crazy, looking like it was designed by a member of the Illuminati. The write up's pretty memorable too;

The concept of "sacred geometry," the inspiration behind Oud For Greatness, is that the recurring symbols and motifs, including the sacred smell of oud, are so powerful and sacred that they are imbued with these hidden connections with the world in general, transcending the Material Plane to align those who smell it with the vibrations of the universe.
With Oud For Greatness, Initio harnesses that hidden source of power and offers a vibrant, sensual and richly spicy fragrance deeply imbued with oud from beginning to end to experience the true aroma of oud as a tonic for physical, emotional and spiritual health. Oud for Greatness is an incredibly complex elixir, both energetic and contemplative, narcotic and seductive.

I will of course, reveal if I find myself transcending the Material Plan in alignment with the vibrations of the Universe, but suspect that this is a lot to expect from a perfume.

*Not much less crazy mind; upwards of £237 for 90 ml.