L'Homme aux Gants • MDCI

The nutmeg up top keeps it from smelling like every other oud out there. Six hours in, the benzoin and vanilla soften the whole thing into something almost creamy. Easily the most complimented bottle on my shelf right now.

The oud and guaiac wood dry down is smoky but never harsh, and I keep catching the benzoin sweetness on my scarf hours later. Wore it to dinner and got asked twice what it was.

I wasn't sure about the nagarmotha at first, but it gives the opening this smoky, earthy edge that I keep coming back to. The nutmeg fades into a soft vanilla and tonka base within an hour, and it lingers on my scarf for days.