The original 2018 version has a massive, beautiful sweet citrus floral opening. That is due to the synthetics that you can’t hide once the base appears, pushing up and projecting out the florals. These are in-your-face jungle florals.
The opening lasts a bit over thirty minutes of powerful, condensed citrus. Then, as expected, the florals become more of their own with slight spices of cinnamon and turmeric staying underneath and not acting as an aromatic, like they should. Some synthetic (ambroxan?) pushes the notes forward.
Now I can get some green tea and as the overpowering citrus dies out. The grapefruit was the last to hang on, but now rose becomes dominant in the heart.
Going into the drydown, this soapens up and is overtly synthetic. You guys are paying for this? Go to Ross and buy this soapy synthetic stuff for $20 bucks and get double the amount. Seriously, I would never think someone from Feel-Oud or with access to that company would even dare try to figure out how to play with these synthetics.
Am I mean? No, he is for ripping you off and charging more than $4 an ml for this junk. Put it at that price, and I am swinging back. This is just trying to take advantage of the name oud.