Aoud Extraordinaire, from Roja Dove was released in 2024. The perfumer behind this creation is unknown. It has the top notes of Apple, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Mandarin Orange, Mango, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, and Plum, middle notes of Cyclamen, Geranium, Heliotrope, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Orange Blossom, and Rose, and base notes of Agarwood (Oud), Amber, Cashmeran, Cotton Candy, Leather, Musk, Toffee, Vanilla, Vetiver, and Woody Notes.
Not only fruity scent but a dense, vintage style rich floral with Ambery base This fragrance has received very mixed reviews, and some of the reasons I completely understand, some I don't. Of Roja's latest releases, Isola Sol (you can find my review) and this one are the ones that have caused a lot of emotional turmoil. I think the biggest reason in both cases is the name, although personally, the name Isola Sol fits the scent quite well (more on that in the review of that particular scent). Aoud Extraordinaire , on the other hand, as a name, gives a completely different picture of what the fragrance contains and if you are very inexperienced with Roja's fragrances, then I understand the disappointment. However, if you consider the other fragrances in the Aoud collection, then Aoud as a word in Roja's fragrances has never meant a heavy, challenging Oud, so why would it hear? Take Enigma Aoud (Parfum) for example, which is one of the most beautiful and elegant clear fruity fragrances: the amount of Oud in it is also minimal, but just right to bring the necessary depth to both the peachy scent and the peachy soft powdery character. I think the bigger issue is the word "Extraordinaire" since for many of us Chypré Extraordinaire is the best Chypre in that style, in that category ( Diaghilev , Femme Rochas, Mitsouko, Jubilation 25 Woman etc.) and the combination of those two words "Aoud" and "Extraordinaire" made many of us think and imagine some very special Oud scent, possibly distinctly oriental, and it led to huge disappointments and emotions because it wasn't. Aoud Extraordinaire opens up with an intense cocktail of fruits, with only Pineapple clearly standing out first. It also blends in very quickly with the others. As the fragrance develops, the clear fruity aroma fades slightly and the huge floral bouquet typical of Roja takes the stage. The heady scent of the flowers remains under the fruity veil for an hour, yet creating an elegant and adult style to the scent from the beginning. When you add to this a complex base, where depth and a subtle darkness as well as softness and sweetness come from many notes, it is very difficult to find a similar concoction (or even close) in existing fruity or floral fruity fragrances. I am happy to accept suggestions, because fruity fragrances have been difficult for me precisely because they are either too youthful, too clearly juicy fruity, too simple and/or shockingly synthetic. Most often, fruity fragrances combine all of the things I mentioned. If there is something comparable, it is unlikely to be at the cheapest end of the spectrum, and I personally don't need it, because quality rarely comes cheap. If this fragrance were a simple fruity scent, if it only had the top notes with some musky base, then it would be generic. However, this fragrance is much more than that. There are no three dramatically clear phases in the fragrance, but there is usually nothing more in Roja's fragrances, but all the scents are skillfully, elegantly and ingeniously mixed. However, those phases are always distinguishable. If you are familiar with Roja, Aoud in the name or Oud in the ingredients does not necessarily make the fragrance an Oriental, so I will mention it now so that this does not cause disappointment or misunderstanding. Don't expect overly sweet or clear Cotton Candy or Caramel either since they don't perform in that kind of way. Caramel for example is not like in Lost in Paris. As the fragrance progresses to the 1.5 hour mark, the abundance of fruit fades into the background, while still maintaining the irresistible, a tad tropical undertone like the vibrant and luminous vibe as well that fruits give to this style of fragrance. The scent is also extremely unisex, thanks to the deep, intense and Ambery base, and it is not too sweet at all, thanks to the floral heart. On my husband's skin, the leather and Vetiver come through more than on mine, which partly changes the experience of the scent. The texture is extremely thick but I don't find it creamy. Fruity scents can also easily be made too strong, making simple scents tawdry and somehow girly, while such a dense and rich scent like this would feel suffocating, even though the quality is the best. Although at first I myself thought that the scent should project more, this way it is more versatile, especially for the work environment. Personally, I love this luxurious, golden, energetic scent and especially the phase it develops into after an hour, which lasts 6-7 hours. On clothes, the scent lasts forever. Fruits are always welcome in my fragrances, as long as they are not clearly edible or drinkable and are part of a more complex blend like they are here. This is definitely not that typical feminine fruity scent and if you are sampling this one, please give it at least a couple of full wears. The magic really happens when the aroma of all those fruits fades. First, this didn't made that kind of wow effect like for example Turandot, Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie 15, Chypré Extraordinaire or some others did but there is not this kind of scent in Roja's catalog so after the initial astonishment I started to like it a lot and I found there some kind of vintage style complexity that you find in 80s floral fragrances. Thank you for reading, I hope you liked my review. I would appreciate if you follow my IG: @ninamariah_perfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗