Prestige Portrait Oud

Scent Breakdown

Prestige Portrait Oud opens with a spicy cinnamon and rosewood accord, attempting the complexity of Alexandria II. The lavender is muted, a noticeable deviation from Xerjoff's brighter opening. The heart leans heavily on a synthetic rose note, lacking the velvety depth of the original. Cedar is present, grounding the florals, but the lily-of-the-valley feels more like a generic white floral accord. The drydown presents the promised oud, but it's a cleaner, less animalic interpretation, blended with sandalwood and a noticeable vanilla sweetness. It mimics the overall trajectory, but lacks the nuance. I'd place the overall resemblance at around 87%. The key difference lies in the quality of ingredients.

Conclusion

Prestige Portrait Oud offers a decent approximation of Alexandria II . Its synthetic edges are apparent, especially in the heart, but the overall composition is agreeable. If you crave the Alexandria II DNA but can't justify the expense, this is a passable substitute. However, those familiar with the original will immediately notice the differences in quality and complexity. But for a daily wear fragrance that captures the essence, this clone offers reasonable value.

Projection Power

Longevity is moderate, clocking in around 5-6 hours on skin. Projection is initially strong, projecting for about an hour, then settling into a skin scent. It's a linear fade, lacking the dynamic shifts present in Alexandria II.