Having been disappointed with my first sample, I recently ordered another from a trusted online retailer, thinking perhaps the original had been a faulty batch or somehow diluted.

Unfortunately, this new sample smells almost identical to the first. There is no oud to speak of — just a lingering rose note. For me, the oud simply isn’t present, and I cannot understand how this fragrance has gained such a reputation as an oud powerhouse.

In any case, I will not be purchasing a full bottle. Unless the day comes when I can thoroughly test it in a department store, it will remain a fragrance I have no intention of buying.