Montale – Aoud Cuir d’Arabie eau de parfum review

Aoud Cuir d’Arabie is a fragrance by the French brand Montale, that is inspired by the exotic fragrant aromas of the Orient, primarily a precious oud, or as it is more often called in the east – aoud. This substance of unique scent and origin comes from Agarwood (Aquilaria). When attacked by a special kind of fungus, Agarwood defends itself by secreting a very dark and aromatic resin. Then the wood, infused with resin, is kept in cold and darkened basements. After the process of distillation, the famous oud, a favorite of the entire Arab world, is created.

Montale perfume house was founded by Pierre Montale. He was inspired by his decades-long experience in the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia, where he made perfumes for kings, queens, and other bluebloods. When he returned to France in 2003, he became the first ambassador and spokesperson for oud in Western countries and French perfumery. In fact, most of his intoxicating and powerful perfume creations contain this peculiar and very recognizable aromatic substance.

One of the most famous perfumes revolving around oud is certainly Aoud Cuir d’Arabie, for which Luka Turin says that is the only true and authentic blend of leather and oud. In addition to Aoud Cuir d’Arabie, White Aoud and Black Aoud also achieved great commercial success, while the entire Montale fragrance collection has somewhat over 130 perfumes.

Aoud Cuir d’Arabie is a special olfactive experience and a perfume that redefines the notion of perfumes, our expectations, and hopes related to perfumes, as well as the very aesthetic principles on which our perception and assessment of beauty rest. Aoud Cuir d’Arabie gives us a completely new vision of what beauty is and what perfume should be and represent.

The experience of sniffing and testing Aoud Cuir d’Arabie reminded me of the movie screening of Valhalla Rising, during which 95 percent of viewers left the theatre in a matter of the first hour. Soon the others followed, and in the end, just a couple of us left that got it to the very end. It was not easy, I must admit, but each of us that lasted, came out changed and under the strong impression. Such was the strength and emotional weight of the movie. Such is the strength and weight of Aoud Cuir d’Arabie.

The perfume composition of Aoud Cuir d’Arabie is leathery, dominated by titanic strong notes of oud and leather. Primordially crude and raw, this is the time before the Olympic gods, when the world was ruled by the raw forces of nature and instincts. This perfume does not care what impression it leaves on others, whether it would be liked, loved or not. It does not concern with the opinion of civilization. But yet, there is beauty in the sincerity of being just who you are and not pretending. Leather and oud, so genuine and full of character, are nevertheless connected and entwined in this perfume into a meaningful whole. Not beautiful, at least not in the classical sense. Powerful! If any perfume emanates pure and unbridled power, it is Aoud Cuir d’Arabie. I would say that this perfume is an acquired taste, something like caviar. Do not judge him based on the first impression, or second, third, not even tenth. Over time, you will start to notice how your defenses are slowly going down, one by one, and you will start craving him and wanting to surrender to its might completely. Feeling following it… is liberating!

Perfume creator is Pierre Montale.