Scentonym Analysis
Our objective metric for performance per dollar.
The Scent Profile
Royale Black jumps out of the gate with that recognizable Oud for Greatness DNA: saffron and nutmeg give it a spicy, slightly medicinal start. The lavender here is dialed down compared to Initio's, making it a touch harsher initially. The heart is where this clone shines. The oud note is present and accounted for, though not as smooth or complex as the real deal. The drydown leans heavily on patchouli and musk, a combination that gives it a dark, slightly earthy finish. It gets about 91% of the way to the original, but the slight synthetic edge is noticeable if you're familiar with Oud for Greatness.
Longevity & Projection
The performance is respectable . I get about 6-7 hours on skin, with moderate projection for the first 2 hours. It sits closer to the skin after that. Definitely a workday scent, maybe even reapplying after lunch. It's not a perfect replica, but it captures the essence well enough to scratch that itch. Someone newer to fragrance or just wanting an everyday, less challenging take on the Initio may prefer this. This is a great daily driver.
Performance Audit
Based on average wear time
Sillage & radius
Relative to market avg
Why we track this:
Price Arbitrage: Significant savings compared to the original Initio pricing.
Community Verified: Cross-referenced against 361 enthusiast votes for accuracy.