A very dense, smooth and woody oud. This has not been elevated with the usuual fare of rose saffron or patchouli but dried and condensed with guaic wood and cedar. There is actually patchouli in here but in must just be lost among all the smooth sensual woodiness. Here's some simple questions I asked myself when reviewing a fragrance from a new house. Is it good...yes! Does it retain the qualities a fragrance with 'Oud' in the name should? yes! When I smell Thameen Carved Oud do I release an audible 'mmmmm...' of satisfaction? yes! Would I wear it? yes! Does it blow me away? Not really. That shouldn't be too much of a deterrent though because very few fragrances blow me away these days and even some that did, don't excite me anymore. If you want a gorgeously heady oud fragrance you've got it here but it's a hell of a crowded marketplace which is even confusing me now and I'm a fragrance nut! What chance does a noob have?