Phoenicia Perfumes RealOud 2021 (David Falsberg) Review + The Real Deal Draw

Phoenicia Perfumes Realoud 2021

2020 classically distilled Hindi oud with zooey profile – wood is soaked and fermented, vintage barnyard Hindi circa 2012 3) RealOud 2021 10ml sprayer Durbar vintage Mysore sandalwood, ten year old from Ayurvedic medical supplier 5) red vial is highest grade Persian Saffron house tinctured 1 year, very potent vial underneath is 2 year house tincture of Africa stone that David Falsberg generally prep  his Perfumers alcohol with for 2 months. © David Falsberg for RealOud 2021

I can still remember reading the Profiles in American Pefumery post about David Falsberg, owner and creator of Phoenicia Perfumes and Cafleurebon contributor, because I was astounded that someone who had barely survived a terrible debilitating disease would come back to create a perfume based on the memory of it.  Unfortunately, I never got a chance to smell the highly acclaimed Skin Graft and what is even more disappointing is that I did not keep up with Mr. Falsberg’s work in the years since.  When Michelyn asked if I would be interested in sampling the most recent release from Phoenicia my memory went straight back to Skin Graft and I knew I could not miss another opportunity to see what Mr. Falsberg has been up to.  With such graciousness, he provided me not only with samples of RealOud 2021 but also a few other of his current scents in order to get a better idea of his overall breadth work.

David Falsberg of Phoenicia Perfumes

David Falsberg of Phoenicia Perfumes

I was surprised to find that David has been releasing batches of RealOud since 2014. Each batch is unique but the premise remains the same; source the most authentic ouds direct from the distillers in India who still follow the old school process of soaking the wood and distilling it into clay-wrapped copper pots.  This is the real deal, no shortcuts to save time, money or to reduce the potency of the scent profile.  These are the ouds of your dreams if you are an oud aficionado.

While David notes that this batch is a bit “softer than previous versions” my nose clearly smells one of the best animalic ouds in the most classic sense of the material.  This is not a generic, Westernized oud found in commercial brands but, a traditional oud which made my Arabic husband swoon when he smelled it.  t took me straight back to my years in the UAE where I would smell this scent wafting from the local men and women as they would pass as well as from the incense burned in homes and stores all over the region.

Arabian Oud Incense

Photo: Arabian Oud Incense from unsplash

Oud is such an integral part of Middle Eastern culture dating back to the times of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who referred to oud as an item found in Paradise. It is not only used in perfumes and attars (oils) but, burned as incense to scent rooms and clothing – a unique version of layering scents.  It is only relatively recently that Western perfumery has come to appreciate oud and appropriate it into their creations.  Along with the rise in popularity of this rare and expensive ingredient came the inevitable dilution of quality as well as the movement towards more “palatable” versions emphasizing the sweeter, fruiter more floral oud profiles typically found in ouds coming out of Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Even the traditional Assam distillers are having a difficult time resisting the call to move towards cheaper and faster distillation processes in order to keep up with the ever-growing demand, which is why David has indicated that this is most likely the last batch of RealOud he will be releasing.  It is getting too difficult to source the true animalic ouds that David considers to be high enough quality to qualify as “real oud”.

 

NYSE attar by David Falsberg at Olfactory Art Keller gallery in NYC

NYSE Attar (aka New York Scent Exchange) photo by David

I appreciate that RealOud comes in an atomizer because I enjoy the added sillage created from the aerosolization of the fragrance, even if it is more traditional to apply oud in an oil form.  The spray format also allows for the choice of applying either to clothing or skin (or both).  No matter the application, you are getting a big blast of barnyard oud right from the top.  I couldn’t help but compare it to Ajmal’s Dahn  Oudh Al Shams – a notoriously stinky commercially available oud scent – but I could certainly tell that RealOud has more nuance as it develops.  David talks about loading RealOud with spices florals and resins, and while these are not the dominant notes (it will always be the oud) I could tell they were all in there working to temper the blue cheese / zoo notes emanating from the Hindi oud.  Don’t let the first blast scare you away, traditional oud fragrances need time to settle and develop.  What started as a wild beast of a scent transformed into a dozing tiger – lasting easily over 14 hours but wearing close to the skin after the initial hour.  I enjoyed the green smokiness of the vetiver that came through after a couple of hours, mixing with the animalic oud and musks.  Overall, the composition is extremely balanced and well blended.

Also, to note, David is participating in a new exhibit at the Olfactory Art Keller gallery in NYC where he is presenting an original creation: NYSE Attar (aka New York Scent Exchange) along with a number of other independent perfumers.  The exhibit is currently running until January 22, 2022.  Details can be found on the gallery’s website.  David also has hinted that there will soon be a re-release of Skin Graft and I will certainly make sure not to miss it this time around!

Disclosure: Reviews based on samples graciously sent to me by Phoenicia Perfumes.

Rachel Watson, Contributor

Notes: Blend of Hindi Oud Oils (vintage and recent), Saffron, Cinnamon, Sichuan Pepper, Vetiver, Patchouli Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, Geranium, Vintage Mysore and Hawaiian Sandalwoods, Opoponox, Siberian and Tibetan Deer Musks, Hyraceum

Phoenicia Perfumes RealOud 2021 by David Falsberg

Thanks to David’s generosity, we have a 10ml sprayer of Realoud 2021 ($110 value) for one registered reader in the USA. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment about what sparks your interest in Phoenicia Perfumes RealOud 2021 and if you are an oud fragrance lover. Draw closes 12/25/2021

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18 comments

  • Nancysg says:

    The combination of a real Oud with florals and particularly vetiver are what pulls me into this scent. Oud can certainly be off putting to the western nose, but if handled well can bring a complexity that surpasses most notes. I find wearing Oud fragrances is highly dependent on the overall composition. Skill of the perfumer is vital.

  • Steve A says:

    My interest was sparked reading that someone swooned when smelling this on another. As for ouds in general, I do indeed like most I have experienced. US

  • C K says:

    I enjoyed reading about the ouds used in Real Oud 2021 and the distillation process. Also liked how Rachel mentioned her experiences with oud in the UAE and how much it is a part of daily life there. I have also read about Real Oud 2021 on Instagram and have been intrigued with Phoenicia in general. I’ve not tried real oud that I know of. I have friends who are very much into artisinal ouds and a friend speaks very highly of this house, I know he owns and loves Beguiling Glove. Ive been wanting to experience genuine high quality oud and appreciate this generous draw. Thanks a lot, from CT USA.

  • xoe says:

    Having never tried real old-school oud, I can’t say if I am an oud fragrance lover. I have loved everything oud that I have tried, but I never got the barnyard/blue cheese notes. And now I really want to! I love a fragrance that is loud at first and then settles down. I can spray at the beginning of getting ready to go out, and enjoy the monster sillage all on my own. By the time I leave the house, it has come closer and I don’t have to worry about offending anyone. I am in the US.

  • Sngash says:

    Thank you Rachel for the dive into this undoubtedly divine oud. I’ve found that people from the Middle East seem to know their ouds quite well so the fact that your husband swooned on smelling RealOud tells of its superior quality. I’m rather intrigued since I prefer ouds tempered with some floral notes and spices so with the saffron and florals in there, RealOud is checking all my boxes 🙂 I’m in USA

  • drewactor says:

    I love David’s work from what I have tried. This really interests me as I love oud and have been wanting to have an authentic animalic oud which this definetly is. Also since it might be the last batch this is a definet must have. Thanks for the draw. In VA, USA.

  • Hooba says:

    These notes are irresistible, Oud and Musk! I’m obsessed with both of them, especially in winter fragrances. Thanks, Rachel for introducing this gem here. I have never smelled real Oud or Musk… this is one of my wishes in the fragrance world. I liked also the blinding way of David and I hope to have one of his creations. Cheers from MI, USA

  • Kevin Pedrazs says:

    I enjoyed this review so much because I am a Oud lover myself and learning more about it, it is always wonderful. Would love to smell this one, because I think the quality must be austanding. I am in the U.S.

  • drjedi says:

    While it’s called RealOud, it’s interesting to note that it’s a blend of Oud and other florals. Also, that the Oud itself can change depending on weather, distillation methods, even the craftsmen distilling it. So even though I have tried Phoenicia Perfumes RealOud before, one can expect the new batches to be different. Thanks for the review and draw. From USA.

  • GennyLeigh says:

    I have smelled oud from Arabia before and it is very different from the Westernized version. To my nose, it’s richer, earthier and more complex. The combination with spices, florals and musk sound like a potent blend. Congratulations David! I would love to sample this. I’m in MD, USA.

  • Symbian Pandora says:

    I have been meaning to try this line. Too much going on right now with the Holidays on tap, have to take care of others first.
    This excellent review has me yearning to get this.
    Thanks to all for the chance to enter the draw.
    I am in the USA.

  • Michael Prince says:

    What sparks my interest about Phoenicia Perfumes RealOud 2021 is that living in the USA I’ve never experienced a real and true Oud fragrance that was made in the real traditional way of soaking the wood and distilling it into clay-wrapped copper pots. I would love the opportunity to try and experience this. I am from the USA.

  • frw says:

    I am fascinated by ouds having experienced them in the Middle East as well. Rachel’s review is amazing and makes me so want to try David’s most recent batch of RealOud especially as the notes tempering the oud include some favorites. I wish I had plans to be in NYC for David’s exhibit. USA

  • Brian says:

    I’ll probably consider myself to be a newcomer to perfumery for the next few years, and I am not very familiar with oud in fragrances. I found this article to be helpful and informative: it helped me to learn more about oud. After having read this article, I would say that this fragrance by perfumer David Falsburg, seems to be one of the better oud fragrances of all time, and I’d love to try it. If I win it, then I’m sure that I’d use it up. I certainly want to try this fragrance before it’s too late. I plan to read this article again since it was certainly informative to me. I live in MD., U.S.A. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

  • Anna H says:

    I am a huge oud fragrance lover! In 2019 I had never really smelled oud (save for a Cracker Barrel candle that while utterly divine, probably didn’t actually contain oud) but began to read more about it here on Çafleurebon. I was amazed by the abundantly generous compliments given to Sultan Pasha’s work, most notably Robert Hermann’s review of Moonlit Reverie: https://cafleurebon.com/sultan-pasha-moonlit-reverie-review-nocturnal-paradise-draw/
    My mom gifted me Sultan Pasha’s sampler set for Christmas and some of the scents literally caused tears to well up in my eyes from how beautifully composed they were. My Midwestern United States nose had never smelled anything of the sort! Oud still fascinates me two years later.
    That being said, I am interested to see how a strong oud-based fragrance would perform in a sprayer versus in an attar as I am now used to. I love that this oud fragrance does not shy away from the star of the show or try to overly tamp down oud’s richness with notes that make it “more palatable” for some while reducing the pleasure for those of us who love oud in all its beauty!
    I’d be honored to win this treasure.
    USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the great review, Rachel.

    I’ve been following David for a long time on the insta world and quite enjoy his interactions there. It is wonderful to see a perfumer from the West with so much respect for this wonderful perfume material from the other side of the wrold.

    Having grown up in the Middle East and missing the smells that I associate with the people there, it gives me great confidence that Rachels husband enjoys this brand.

    This is a fascinating mix of notes to complement the oud – in particular cinnamon and vetiver. I’m sad to see that it is getting difficult to source these wonderful gifts of nature and I do hope that the tradition of producing these to represent the gifts of nature continues, irrespective of the cost.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Great review Rachel! What sparks my interest in Phoenicia Perfumes RealOud 2021 is Rachel’s description of it as traditionally distilled the old-fashioned way, resulting in dark, mysterious and most importantly animalic authentic oud, as opposed to many mainstream “ouds” that use shortcuts to save money and/or be more palatable to a Western audience. I adore animalic and intense traditional ouds that are also nuanced and complex, so this really piques my interest. I am DEFINITELY a rabid oud fragrance lover! I love how dark, earthy, and complex they are. My favorites are probably Ottoman Empire III by Areej Le Dore and a couple of Teone Reinthal perfumes, such as Night Song and Magus. I live in the US>