Ilham Al Oud

Scent Breakdown

Ilham Al Oud opens with a blast of cinnamon that leans towards potpourri, mixed with a honey accord reminiscent of those honey sticks you get at the county fair. There's a fleeting apricot note from the osmanthus, quickly subdued by the hefty dose of benzoin. As it dries, the labdanum takes over, giving it a resinous, slightly medicinal character, alongside a muted ambergris impression which feels more like a generic amber accord. The base introduces tonka, vanilla, and a whisper of patchouli. It diverges from its inspiration in the drydown, losing that boozy depth and developing a synthetic vanilla aroma, like cheap vanilla extract.

The Verdict

If Ilham Al Oud were a movie character, it would be the well-meaning but slightly clumsy sidekick who tries to emulate the cool protagonist but ultimately falls short due to a lack of finesse.

Projection Power

Longevity is respectable, clocking in at around 6-7 hours. Projection starts strong at about an arm's length, quickly settling to a skin scent after about 2 hours. I tested it in a climate-controlled office environment, and while not offensive, it did lack the sophistication needed for a professional setting.