On The Nose Perfumes Meander to Mandalay (Gabrielle Durand) 2026 + Burmese Temple Giveaway

On The Nose Perfumes Meander to Mandalay Jet Set collection

On The Nose Perfumes Meander to Mandalay is from The Jet Set Collection courtesy of the brand

On The Nose Perfumes The Jet Set Collection is a limited-edition trio of all-natural oud fragrances centered on a single-country oud and shaped by the attributes that make its origin unique. Each one explores its qualities through contrast and a clear sense of place. Together, the set offers three different perspectives on one of perfumery’s most captivating materials by an equally significant natural perfumer, Gabrielle Durand. “When I smelled this oud, the image that came to mind was an incense-soaked Burmese temple: still, contemplative, and full of warmth, smoke, woods, and flowers. I didn’t want to smooth away the oud’s character. I wanted to compose around it, amplifying what was already there and allowing the perfume to unfold from the material itself.”

Gabriel Durand of On The Nose Perfumes

Gabrielle Durand of On The Nose Perfumes courtesy of the brand

Meander to Mandalay is one of those fragrances that seems to tell a story from the very first wearing. It doesn’t rush to impress; rather, it draws me in slowly, requesting me to pause a little longer and relish every breath. There is an instantaneous sense of ardor and quiet mystery that makes it impossible to forget. Dalzielii frankincense, with its citrus notes of lemon and orange, and black Sacra frankincense, particularly noted for being full-bodied, blend to construct a rich, resinous opening that is soft. If you enjoy incense in perfume, this is the kind I find elevating, orange weaves through the resins, adding just enough brilliance without detracting from the contemplative character. Gentle currents of ginger, black pepper, and coriander bring a touch of spice, adding energy and movement without ever becoming intense or demanding.

Meander To Mandalay by Gabrielle Durand

 On The Nose Perfumes Meander to Mandalay mood board courtesy of the perfumer

Meander to Mandalay settles, and the florals arrive almost unnoticed; jasmine’s creamy richness and mimosa’s soft, powdery warmth blend exquisitely with the incense. Orange blossom adds a touch of luminance, and osmanthus lends a smooth, velvet touch with hints of fruit and suede. Giving the floral heart its calm elegance and grace, which are natural rather than overly polished, is the White rose. The flowers seem to drift through the curls of the incense, floating through still air, adding beauty without asking for all the attention.

Incense Burning Pexels

On The Nose Perfumes Meander to Mandalay reveals the depth of its soul in the drydown. Brazilian vetiver, Burmese oud, and sandalwood create a comforting, incredibly cultivated foundation. I feel that the Burmese oud lends this perfume its unmistakable refinement of character. If dark or barnyard styles have dominated your experience with oud, this may completely change your impression. It is gentle and deeply meditative, bringing the quiet beauty of aged wood that has absorbed decades of incense, prayer, and silence. None of the woods fight for attention. Instead, they melt together into a soft, luxurious base. Cocoa adds a subtle bittersweet richness, while patchouli, Peru balsam, labdanum, and orris deepen the composition with smooth layers that continue to unfold for hours.

Erwan Grey Myanmar Temple

Erwan Grey Myanmar Temple Pexels

 I find  this perfume creates an atmosphere around me that feels like home. It is spiritual, peaceful, and reflective, yet never foreign or senseless. Wearing it reminds me of stepping into a quiet temple where the scent of ancient incense fills the space. There is a sense of stillness that encourages me to slow down and simply reflect in the moment.

Burmese oud

Ideation AI by Sandi

Even the name is particularly relevant, as Mandalay has long been regarded as the spiritual heart of Myanmar, “The Golden City.” Meander to Mandalay does not follow trends but is born of the perfumer’s heartfelt experience. For anyone who, as I do, appreciates exquisite ouds, incense, woods, and florals woven together with respect, offering a memorable journey.

Notes: Dalzielii and black sacra frankincense, orange, ginger, black pepper, coriander, jasmine, mimosa, orange blossom, osmanthus, white rose, Brazilian vetiver, Burmese oud, sandalwood, cocoa, patchouli, Peru balsam, labdanum, orris.

Sandi Lundberg, Editor

Disclaimer: I received samples from the brand; opinions are my own.

Meander to Mandalay by On The Nose Perfumes

On The Nose Perfumes Meander to Mandalay via the brand

Thanks to the generosity of On The Nose Perfumes, we have a LIMITED EDITION 15ml bottle of Meander to Mandalay for one fortunate reader in the Continental USA. You must register to have your entry counted. To be eligible, please comment on what inspired you in Sandi’s review and where you live in the US. Draw closes 7/15/2026

Please support our Natural and Artisan Perfumers by buying directly from their sites

Please read Gabrielle Durand’s Profile in American Perfumery. Gabrielle is also a Guest Contributor for CaFleureBon Notes from the Lab. Gabrielle is featured in our Natural Perfumery Next Gen Article. Please read Ida’s reviews of I Land In Thailand, Thorny Issue, and Honey Trap, and Sandi’s reviews of Solar Flair and Sainte Vanille

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21 comments

  • Steven A says:

    I was inspired seeing there is two types of Franklincense in the formula. Along with some cacao. The description of the perfume tells me this complex and not linear. US

  • INYA says:

    Incense is my favorite note in perfumery. I liked the description “I find this perfume creates an atmosphere around me that feels like home. It is spiritual, peaceful, and reflective.” Thanks for the opportunity to sniff. MI USA

  • Steven Radick says:

    I am truly appreciative of fragrances that take the time to not only build the notes but the rhythm. A great fragrance needs a great setting and inspiration and it is clear that was important here. Amazing article by Sandi and much love from Michigan USA.

  • TheScentedPage says:

    Lovely. I really like fragrances that invoke a time and place. That connects to people who have been there before me. Taking that journey through scent. Incense, orange, ginger, and more.

    USA

  • nickyc says:

    I love incense in a fragrance and am trying to learn to like Oud – non barnyardiness would be a great start! Richer fragrances like this work well in the cooler weather here in Seattle, WA where I live

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I went through an incense phase awhile back. I haven’t explored much incense lately. This sounds lovely. I like that Sandi feels this doesn’t follow a trend. I’ve learned to not gravitate to what the “influencers” are loving. I love exploring old adobe churches in NM and the scent of the old incense with the pews and all together is very memorable. USA.

  • bustednose says:

    What really inspires me in Sandi’s review is the description of the fragrance as an ‘incense-soaked Burmese temple’—still, contemplative, and warm. I am especially intrigued by the combination of two types of frankincense, Dalzielii and Black Sacra, layered with subtle spices like ginger and coriander. The idea of an oud fragrance that moves away from the typical ‘barnyard’ profile toward something gentle and deeply meditative sounds like an incredible journey. I’m in Texas USA

  • Annika says:

    I don’t think I’ve ever experienced Burmese oud. Sandi’s description of it as refined, gentle and deeply meditative suggests it would lend itself to incense forward fragrances. Gabrielle Durand’s use of two different types of frankincense along with vetiver, patchouli and resins underscore the idea of a sacred space. The florals add a touch of elegance and grace. MD, USA

  • Teresa C says:

    Do I like incense in perfumes? It’s a LOVE incense in perfumes. I like how the creator didn’t try to change the nature of oud but worked with it and the description of how it was rendered here makes me think of my very first oud sniff, which wasn’t anyting like the loud, brash, harsh ‘oud’ scents we get today. What you describe is the same ancient but beautiful woody note that I first smelled in a tiny bottle of oud oil from an import shop now long gone. It was love, but I havne’t sniffed the like since. I live in the Pacific NW.

  • reyessence89 says:

    The incense scent I prefer is when it and its smoky facet become embedded in aged wood. That specific profile of incense to me is more mellow, but no less impactful. And I’m curious what blending with Burmese oud will create. I also visited the On The Nose Perfumes website, and the other two of the trio are equally intriguing! I live in NE, USA.

  • StealthECat says:

    So much beautiful spicy incense and oud, with some florals that dance into nose…. sounds sooo good . PacNW USA

  • vbmask says:

    Mississippi! I appreciate the comment about stepping into a quiet temple and letting the ancient incense fill the space. What great imagery.

  • Anna H says:

    I am a huge fan of all things “oud” and this perfume would be no exception! I’m sure the duo of frankincense, rich spices and soft florals do much to tame and complement the Burmese oud note. While I don’t mind a strong, debatably overpowering oud note, a subtler, more meditative oud would likely be more wearable when I leave the house and expose others to my scent of the day, haha. Thorny Issue is so beautifully composed and is a favorite in my collection. I would love the chance to add Meander to Mandalay alongside it.
    From Indiana, USA.

  • RH says:

    I’m still pretty new to fragrance, so I really liked reading about all the incense, woods, and temple imagery because it helped me imagine what the scent might feel like, even though I’ve never smelled it. It made me realize there’s so much more to perfume than just smelling nice. Now I’m really curious to experience Meander to Mandalay for myself.

    I’m in WA state, USA.

  • JoyK says:

    Incense perfumes are my most favorite. Burmese oud sounds wonderful, and the dry down with the gentle arrival of floral notes sounds beautiful. I love the description of this perfume creating an atmosphere of home around the wearer. I live in Illinois, USA.

  • mmerline says:

    I’m curious how these three fragrances smell side by side, since they profile regional ouds, designed around their unique attributes and inherent character. I love an incense perfume so Meander to Mandalay is intriguing; multiple frankincense materials, a pinch of spice, a subtle floral heart, and a rich Burmese oud base (without any funk). I noted the cocoa here; I’ve enjoyed that combination of oud and cocoa in other fragrances and appreciate how it textures the oud with “bittersweet richness”. The drydown of Meander to Mandalay sounds exceptional.

    I’m in WI, USA.

  • Jonathan says:

    This is such an exciting series of perfumes—Oud is my favorite material, and I love the approach Durand is taking here. While I do enjoy a dark, heavy oud, my favorites evoke just the lived-in temple wood that Sandi described in her review. I would love to try this one! I live in Indiana

  • SammoB. says:

    I love the description of this scent feeling like home. I want to get more into temple fragrances, and the notes sounds really lovely, though a bit intense! Also seeing this isnt the typical dark oud and rather wood thats soaked up years of incense, is so wonderful. I love smelling something that challenges a preconception I have of a note. NJ, USA

  • foreverscents says:

    My favorite fragrances are those that create and suggest a sense of place. Meander to Mandalay sounds like a fragrance that can easily transport the wearer to a temple in Myanmar, a place where the visitor experiences the stillness of contemplation and reflection. I like that this fragrance is part of a trio of creations that explores oud. I am also intrigued by the two different types of frankincense used in the fragrance.
    I live in the USA, Massachusetts.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    I enjoy incense fragrances, and Meander to Mandalay seems like a good one. I’m under the impression that it is more involved than the ones that are very reliant on pepper. I’m intrigued to try it when Sandi describes it by saying: “I find this perfume creates an atmosphere around me that feels like home. It is spiritual, peaceful, and reflective, yet never foreign or senseless. Wearing it reminds me of stepping into a quiet temple where the scent of ancient incense fills the space. There is a sense of stillness that encourages me to slow down and simply reflect in the moment.” Also, I’m interested in the oud in this one. I live in MD, USA.

  • MarciaL says:

    Oud is one of those elusive scents that can be too much or not enough but are difficult to balance, at least on my skin. This sounds like a lovely incense that easily evokes the mystery and magic of travel. Fabulous.
    Seattle, WA USA