Oud for Love by The Different Company

Aldehydes, Angelica, Coriander, Caraway, Saffron, Whiskey.
Cloves, Iris, Sandalwood, Tuberose, Ylang Ylang.
Agarwood, Amber, Castoreum, Caramel, Immortelle, Heliotrope, Musk, Tolu Balsam, Vetiver.

Bertrand Duchaufour's resume is.......let's just say impressive. The lists of his creations are too numerous to mention and when I recall his contributions, I think of transparency, well executed and memorable. Collection Excessive's Oud for Love is yet another worthy interpretation of the oud genre, courtesy of Bertrand. This man has skills and the uncanny ability to take an idea, shape it mentally and then manifest it in a liquid delivery system in order for you and I to not only to "see" it,but to experience it as well. I've found some similarities in Oud for Love and Ameer Al Oudh. Their themes are related and Bertrands version is airborne and clear, whereas the Lattafa is weightier and perhaps slightly less versatile because of this. I happen to like both, but Oud for Love is the more luxurious and elegant of the two after numerous comparisons.

For a surety, this release is easily worn by either gender. Much of Duchaufour's work, over the years,  has resulted in a final product with sheerness. Oud for Love continues this technique of substantial, yet breathable.

I purchased a bottle of Oud for Love in order to experience full wearings. In truth, I like it more each wearing. There's much going on in this aroma, yet it does so without yelling. The tuning of notes is the magic here. It's the difference between a guitar riff being played legato instead of staccato. Effortless and fluid from initial spray to comfortable drydown.  The use of clove here is actually masterful. Playing off other spice qualities and Tuberose, I experience a mild herbaceousness because of it. The other players, who I normally attempt to identify and extol, one way or the other, are present and accounted for, but so well orchestrated that you simply need to sample this and decide for yourself. I cannot help but recommend this if you're looking to try an elegant oud that won't make you choose between it and paying your rent.

I have absolutely no regrets for purchasing Oud for Love and because of it, I am seriously considering a bottle of Oud Shamash as well. The Different Company's Oud for Love genuinely sits in the middle of the gender line to my sensibilities. It's versatile, uplifting, elegant and does not bog you down like some ouds have a habit of. It has a rather high price point, yet can be found online for slightly under $2 per ml. That's what I paid for mine and to me, it was worth it.

Sillage is polite as you would expect, but still smells full in your personal space. Longevity is yet another deceiving attribute. You can detect this the next morning rather easily, but during the wearings, expect 5 hours. Thumbs up from Aromi for Oud for Love by The Different Company. As always, a sample wear is highly recommended.