I need Real Ouds and frags for a Caveman

[roaduck]

Got these Ouds and frags last weekend and they're all a bit meh and not really me ; they're too Western, sweet, young, unisex, politically correct and are an antithesis for me.

They leave me cold and I'm deffo not a lizard.

One solution is probably saving up for some single vintage ouds or vintage frags.

I'm a young at heart 59 that goes clubbing and does all weekend Northern Soul/ Dancing Blues gigs but modern frags are horrible - either middle of the road and lowest common denominator or brash, PC, synthetically harsh and unsophisticated.

I think I'm going to have to go East for classy frags.

Do any other mature guys here feel the same and struggle having to wear fashionable young unisex scents or nothing ?

 

[Waistgunner]

They make good fire starters!

 

[roaduck]

They make good fire starters!

Yep - you're right there Waistgunner - I lived in Egypt and China for 15 years so I know the alternatives haha!
That's where the future is.

 

[helicopter]

If I were this interested in oud, I would get the wood and burn it as incense in a closet.

 

[roaduck]

If I were this interested in oud, I would get the wood and burn it as incense in a closet.

I already do - been doing it decades - I want a mature well balanced male oud scent.

 

[lasta]

During the mid 2000's to late 2010's I visited the Gulf area 3 times a year. I've never met any local who used oudh oils. Most of the bazaars carried similar attars to what you had pictured. Those who did wear fragrance bought the same bottled stuff as elsewhere in the world.

During the early 2000's Montale brought "oud" to the mainstream, since then everyone had their interpretation of an oud based scent. I'm not big on agar wood nowadays, but from experience in exploring other ingredients, the best roses are rose soliflores, the best jasmine are jasmine soliflores, ie women's perfume (there are no good "masculine" roses). In the same vein, the best oud should be straight up oud oil.

 

[roaduck]

During the mid 2000's to late 2010's I visited the Gulf area 3 times a year. I've never met any local who used oudh oils. Most of the bazaars carried similar attars to what you had pictured. Those who did wear fragrance bought the same bottled stuff as elsewhere in the world.

During the early 2000's Montale brought "oud" to the mainstream, since then everyone had their interpretation of an oud based scent. I'm not big on agar wood nowadays, but from experience in exploring other ingredients, the best roses are rose soliflores, the best jasmine are jasmine soliflores, ie women's perfume (there are no good "masculine" roses). In the same vein, the best oud should be straight up oud oil.

I'm just gonna get some 8+ Qadeems and do my own frags, I'm tired of modern Unisex, sweet, PC scents bought blind going off jaded and/or inexperienced reviewers so building my absolutes, eo's and concretes up - it'll take years and thousands haha !

 

[sarimento1]

Looking at your totally amazing collection, methinks you're headed for a never-ending quest!
Good d**n luck!!
Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[helicopter]

The best oud fragrance I have tried is BDK Oud Abramad.

 

[ChriWilson]

I already do - been doing it decades - I want a mature well balanced male oud scent.

Given Tom Ford’s Oud Minerale a try ?

 

[roaduck]

Given Tom Ford’s Oud Minerale a try ?

I want an Eastern or Asian perfume only - I have smelt it though - it's far too young and unisex for me but thank you very much for the suggestion ChriWilson

 

[roaduck]

Looking at your totally amazing collection, methinks you're headed for a never-ending quest!
Good d**n luck!!
Keep us posted on your progress!

Thank you very much sarimento1 - I need to go to some actual Middle Eastern Bazaars and Asian Markets and smell the frags in person - there is no substitute and I want to join a physical Oud Club in the North West ideally.

I need to do a totally bespoke myself but I need to get a lot more quality Ouds, absolutes, attars, concretes and essential oils ; I might even get my still out to do some plant reductions !

An investment is maturing this Summer - that'll help but it might get severely nibbled haha !

I know I'm looking at another £2K-£5K minimum - but that's cheaper than my other "pursuits" ; that is why I buy too much budget stuff ; not much left and I'm retired Haha !

What doesn't help is knowing what the Real McCoy smells like having lived and worked in China, North Africa and all over the Middle East.

The best Ouds were closely guarded, you needed to know the language and have the connections - a Western tourist has no chance even if He/she could afford it.

In the 1990's I regularly spent £15K+ on one little bottle - but I could afford it then - I had a lucrative sales career.

I need to polish up my very rusty Arabic ideally and make some more connections in the Chamber of Commerce.

Unfortunately Oud is a lifelong quest and a voyage of discovery.

 

[sarimento1]

Thank you very much sarimento1 - I need to go to some actual Middle Eastern Bazaars and Asian Markets and smell the frags in person - there is no substitute and I want to join a physical Oud Club in the North West ideally.

I need to do a totally bespoke myself but I need to get a lot more quality Ouds, absolutes, attars, concretes and essential oils ; I might even get my still out to do some plant reductions !

An investment is maturing this Summer - that'll help but it might get severely nibbled haha !

I know I'm looking at another £2K-£5K minimum - but that's cheaper than my other "pursuits" ; that is why I buy too much budget stuff ; not much left and I'm retired Haha !

What doesn't help is knowing what the Real McCoy smells like having lived and worked in China, North Africa and all over the Middle East.

The best Ouds were closely guarded, you needed to know the language and have the connections - a Western tourist has no chance even if He/she could afford it.

In the 1990's I regularly spent £15K+ on one little bottle - but I could afford it then - I had a lucrative sales career.

I need to polish up my very rusty Arabic ideally and make some more connections in the Chamber of Commerce.

Unfortunately Oud is a lifelong quest and a voyage of discovery.

Holy S**t! I’m Jealous!!
Enjoy your search!

 

[roaduck]

The best oud fragrance I have tried is BDK Oud Abramad.

View attachment 1991373

Thanks very much for the suggestion helicopter ; I could always go for a tester but I fear it'll be too young, PC, Unisex and sweet Haha !

What doesn't help is knowing what a good frag smells like in the M.E. and North Africa - I always bought bespoke in the 1990's and I usually employed an old, knowledgeable, Arabic perfumer to help me get my preferred cup of tea !

 

[roaduck]

Holy S**t! I’m Jealous!!
Enjoy your search!

Thank You buddy - please don't be jealous - it's a dear do and it's not easy to find a really good unique trad Oud scent for a mature guy who's had four passports and travelled to over sixty Countries since the late sixties.

It can't be done online ; totally impossible.

 

[sarimento1]

Thank You buddy - please don't be jealous - it's a dear do and it's not easy to find a really good unique trad Oud scent for a mature guy who's had four passports and travelled to over sixty Countries since the late sixties.

It can't be done online ; totally impossible.

Eh, you’re just a youngster in my world! Been there, done all that stuff! Envious that you’re still driven!

 

[roaduck]

Eh, you’re just a youngster in my world! Been there, done all that stuff! Envious that you’re still driven!

Haha bless you sarimento1 - I'm nearly sixty but people say I don't look it - I'm young at heart.
My Mother always used to say "Second best will always be Third Rate" erm true in a lot of cases unfortunately.

 

[ksblazer]

If you find a good cave man oud. Let us know.

I’m still looking for it too.

 

[roaduck]

If you find a good cave man oud. Let us know.

I’m still looking for it too.

Hiya mate - how are you?

I've found some single vintage ouds but they're not cheap- you are looking at $50-$100 for 3-6ml of vintage Oud but then it'll need layering with complimentary essential oils or scents.

I smoked some of my clothes with bakhoor last week - the smell will never go and it is very nice - it does not smell like a typical air freshener - not modern and chemically - I blended 3 UAE bakhoors ; it smelt really really classy and sophisticated - it was like travelling back to Egypt for me.

I might like them and maybe you won't - this is why I emphasised going and smelling them in person ; otherwise you could waste a fortune.

Reviews are no good - everyone interprets the scent differently and will smell unique on each skin - so buying blind is an expensive lucky dip.

You have to go to a Middle eastern bazaar near you buddy - no other way.

I went mad and spent a bomb at the end of January - bought loads of modern Oud EDP's - not really happy with any of them !

Can you make friends with some M.E. people - preferably mature, well-travelled and experienced ?

Have you tried the local Chamber of Commerce - have you gone to any Middle Eastern bazaars or Asian markets ?

I think you'll have to go looking outside Washington and Seattle - you need a place with a long established Arabic/Asian population.

I'm lucky there is a solid mile of Asian and Middle Eastern shops, wholesalers, restaurants and businesses near me called "The Curry Mile" - it is World famous - much better and bigger than in London - just not been for ages - I might go next week - not had the time mate.

There is Asian wholesalers near me that are 3-4 floors with a restaurant on the top floor etc.

There is also thousands of businesses on Cheetham Hill Road and Stockport Road - I just need to look.

There is also Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, a huge Marks and Spencers Neals Yard, two 250-300 outlet malls near me etc in Manchester - I just need to get out there.

When I go next I'll report back here, perhaps take some photos; do some videos ; that'll be fun - but I need a minimum of £200-£300 on my hip or there's no point going.I'm broke ATM lol.

 

[Steve56]

Not much help, but you might try Le Labo’s offerings. Maybe oud 27 might work for you. Grab a sample.