Olibanum.Oud

J’s image of Olibanum.Oud

For thousands of years, olibanum/frankincense has played a vital role in religious and spiritual rituals, symbolising purity and virtue. Its fragrant aroma when burned made it a popular choice for nearly all religions or scared ceremonies. Revered for its profound spiritual significance, olibanum resin and oil represents themes of purification, spirituality and a connection to higher realms. In the context of spiritual healing, its aromatic properties are believed to cleanse negative energies, uplift the spirit and foster a sense of inner peace and harmony. In contemporary practices, olibanum essential oil is frequently used during meditation to enhance tranquility, as it helps slow the breath and encourages relaxation, there’s also potential for it to have beneficiary health factors, taken topically or ingested by capsule or diluted in water. Founder Gérald Ghislain’s choice to focus on Olibanum as a material is rather clever, as it resonates with so many people.

Boswellia sacra tree in Wadi Dowkah (Dhofar) and green hojari sacra resin via Wikipedia.

Personally its one of my favourite materials in perfumery, packed with a complex array of aromas, from lime citrus to green fresh pine to soft woody smoky amber balsamic facets depending on the region its harvested from. With Olibanum.Oud. Perfumer Céline Perdriel gives us a much darker experience almost as if your smelling olibanum and oud being burned in a Bakhoor. It is a darkly delicious take giving you a smoky rich dark haze to dream in.

Perfumer Céline Perdriel and Olibanum. founder Gérald Ghislain courtesy of the brand.

Olibanum.Oud gives us an enchanting and shadowy interpretation of Sacra, the brand’s “signature” and a beautiful perfume in its own right, you can read my short review of it here. Olibanum.Oud invites the senses into a nocturnal realm where smoky oud notes blur with dry spiced rose capturing the essence of a traditional Bakhoor. The perfume unfurls in a rich and dense plume of incense smoke, a luxurious cool olibanum full of fresh pine aromas glistening with gentle balsamic resins aromas is slowly joined by oud making a dark dusty rose bloom. These materials intertwine seamlessly; creating a foundation that is both enveloping and mysterious.

Terpenic notes of fresh fir and pine emerge, dancing playfully around the edges of the composition, fore-shadowing the woods of the oud. These fresh, green qualities provide a striking contrast to the deeper, more resinous elements of the olibanum, adding a subtle layer of complexity that keeps the experience engaging while also meditative. Cool, ethereal aromas flicker with a gentle floral spice, its bright reds resonate with the greens evolving as a gentle, peppery rose blooms soft with grace, harmonizing beautifully with the deep resins that anchor the base. Slowly Olibanum. Oud becomes darker, more enigmatic as if the oud and olibanum have been heated on charcoal with a soft char of smokiness giving, Olibanum.Oud this dark smoky rich musk. It captures the mysterious feel of the night, conjuring images of ancient rituals and sacred spaces, while also having a modern sophistication that makes it suitable for any occasion.

Rose Black Baccara and agarwood via Wikipedia

The rose turns into the dark dusty dry haze, like deep velvet as the fresher olibanum notes play a beautiful counter point to the dark oud smoky woods. There’s whisper of leather with cacao and dry woods with almost a vanillic woody sweetness that gentle softens Olibanum.Oud, creating a sophisticated and elegant musk that envelops you in a delightful haze, creating an aura of intrigue and allure. The darker woody undertones lend a sense of richness and complexity, inviting exploration and contemplation, while the interplay of notes creates a beautifully balanced composition that is both grounding and uplifting. Olibanum. Oud is easy to wear, feeling dark yet has this delightful transparent feel, like mystery wrapped in smoke. Perfect for a dark evening full of contemplation.

Notes: Pimento Berry, Rose, Oud, Olibanum.

Disclosure: Olibanum.Oud travel size was sent to J for review, thoughts and nose are his own.

–J Wearescentient, Senior Editor, artist & olfactive writer.

J’s image of Olibanum.Oud

Thanks to the generosity of Olibanum. we have a bottle of Olibanum.Oud for one registered reader in the USA or EU only. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on J’s review of Olibanum.Oud and where you live. Draw closes 11/3/2024

Please read J’s review of Layering ideas of Sacra, Oud, Tubereuse & Osmanthus Nicoleta’s review of Neroli with a brand overview and her 3 you should be wearing Olibanum Sacra, Vanille, Iris.

You can read Michelyn’s interview with Gerald Ghislain here

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6 comments

October 31, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Sybelle16 says:
what peaked my interest from the review was the
new interpretation on their signature scent, Sacra, to give it a modern twist with the Olibanum.Oud; with particular focus on the rose accord rose that becomes a “dark dusty dry haze”— but keeps that intensity as it strikes a balance the fresher olibanum notes—a counter point to the dark oud smoky woods. A floral spice for the cooler, colder weather.

USA
October 31, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Ramses Perez says:
Olibanum is one of those notes we often see on fragrances but me, myself don’t quite know its particular nuances.the scent itself does lean dark on account of the incensy feel and what’s why J said is better suited for a night out. The rose note does softens the incense present a little but not enough to overpower it, it is still there. A rather simple note composition and fragrance but it showcases what it’s set out to do, the perfect marriage of Oud and olibanum like the name tells us. I’m located in the USA.
October 31, 2024 at 4:45 pm
docm3902 says:
The way J describes the smoky, mysterious feel of this perfume, almost like an ancient ritual in a bottle, makes it sound like an experience more than just a scent. The idea of olibanum and oud burning together, creating that smoky, resinous haze, is so intriguing—perfect for colder nights when you just want to wrap yourself in something dark and meditative.

Also, that balance between fresh pine, spicy rose, and the deep, rich oud? It sounds like the kind of fragrance that keeps unfolding, revealing new layers the longer you wear it. And the mention of that subtle leathery, cacao-like touch? I can already imagine how luxurious and sophisticated it must feel. Definitely adding this one to my wish list—need to experience this “dark smoky rich musk” for myself!

I am from the EU
October 31, 2024 at 6:56 pm
Jeremi says:
J describes the fragrance as a “dark dream,” which suggests a mysterious and captivating experience. This kind of imagery can be very appealing to those who enjoy fragrances that tell a story or evoke strong emotions and that really sparks my interest. I live in Trzebnica, Poland, EU.
October 31, 2024 at 7:06 pm
David Furman says:
I am a fiend for oud. I yearn for oud. When faced with the urge I always fall in spraying myself, for myself. It is one of those fine delicacies that I truly adorn and appreciate. One thing I love about oud is that no two ouds are the same. Not only in terms of scent profile and quality, but also they all have different facets and some are even multilayered constantly changing on the wearer. The oud crazy has pushed to the limits and I hope they can sustain agarwood populations for generations to come. It’s a fine eastern craft and it’s a shame what going on the the cultivation of our beloved Oud. From Jacksonville, NC.
October 31, 2024 at 7:43 pm
AromaDulce73 says:
This sounds right up my alley. What sparked my interest was J’s description of Olibanum Oud as “incense smoke, a luxurious cool olibanum full of fresh pine aromas glistening with gentle balsamic resins aromas.”

Even though I’m not a fan of rose it seems like this would blend real nice with the other notes in this fragrance. Seems perfect for the brisk evenings here in California.

Los Angeles Ca. USA