Iris Bleu Gris by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier, err ... ,
Thaqeel by ASAQ, err ...
Iris Bleu Gris, ...
Well, let me explain. I put on some Thaqeel last night and I can still smell it this morning. When I woke up it wasn't very strong but I guess it has warmed up and is emanating sweet woody oud now. But I had already applied some IBG this morning as I was getting ready so while for the most part I'm getting an austere and cold but spicy iris, every now and then when I move my arm this way or that, I'm getting a sweet oud.
Thaqeel is better the second time around (I recall thumbing my nose at it originally) and this is an indication that I'm coming around to ouds - a lot of ouds have been better the second time around. My tiny sample is thick and viscous like molasses, which made its application difficult, but the opening notes and drydown are very similar to what I like about Agar Aura ouds. More importantly, it was very clean smelling and this morning it smells slightly sweet, moreso than any other oud I've tried, with an almost honey-like note. Very interesting. The thickness is still a put off, however, but I'm "warming up" to the scent. Ha! Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Although, IBG is not something I would normally pair with an oud, it does at least have an interesting spicy note to it that some liken to incense. On me it's mostly a bitter green iris with some spices added and a strong but clean musk note - a very manly iris perfume - so the sweet woody oud notes are not overly disconnected. I obviously didn't intentionally layer today but the crisp iris is a nice touch for a muggy (very much so) day and the oud notes are very grounding.
Notes for IBG include green leaves, lemon, bergamot, iris absolute, vanilla, jasmine, moss, vetiver, musk. I should note that mine is the vintage version, which is a little more powdery, while the current (reformulated) version has a little more of a suede leather note and not as "cold." There are fans of both but the vintage version is more cooling on a hot summer day.
Top Notes: Neroli, Marigold, Mandarin, Juniper berry, Grapefruit
Middle Notes: Clove, Tonka bean, Clary sage, Nutmeg, Geranium
Base Notes: Itasca Red Pine, Java Vetiver, Texas Cedar, Partak Incense, Ethiopian Myrrh, Amber, Canadian Fir Balsam
The opening is pine-citrus and is magnificent. I'm catching the incense and cedar and... just wow.
Sometimes the best layering combos are the ones you least expect would work. Would you try this combination again?
Amouage Epic Man