Prosody London Oud Octavo Review (Kershen Teo) + Kaleidoscopic Oud Draw

Prosody London Oud Octavo

Oud Octavo Abstract  artwork courtesy of  Kershen Teo of Prosody London.

 “The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.” Thomas Paine.

To thrust oneself into the unknown can be an unnerving and challenging experience, one that severs the ties of all that we have previously understood and at once decouples them. Inevitably new explorations involve trial and error.  However, the results can be outstanding when done with a meticulous approach. Oud is a tricky raw material and one that has a chameleon-like quality, shifting its appearance and personality and as such, it is an ingredient with incredible possibilities and risks. On experiencing Prosody London Oud Octavo, by Kershen Teo, the beauty of Oud is kaleidoscopic and uplifting. To experience anew.

Born of a fluid and flexible approach, this fragrance has been developed with an eye for detail and a goal to explore the beauty of organic naturals in all their glory.  As the name suggests, Oud Octavo (organically sourced from Vietnam) develops a series of notes working in unison with its hero ingredient to give a harmonious experience. The challenge, especially using only natural ingredients, was to provide the wearer with a smooth, delightful wearing and one that lasts.

Oud Octavo prosody London

Photograph Oud Octavo Sketch, Courtesy of Prosody London.

In Prosody London Oud Octavo, the oud is mellow and addictive; it transforms throughout, in concert with meticulously chosen ingredients to unfold its eight different personalities in a unique umbrella effect. The opening is pure excitement, as a boozy and animalic nuance appears through the combination of cognac and cistus.  These notes combine seductively with linden blossom and benzoin, which in turn creates a honeyed and slightly gourmand experience. The effect is truly sensual, the interplay of these ingredients – hypnotic.

Moreover, there are, twists and turns abound in this scent, especially with the addition of ginger and cinnamon.  This added spiciness is surprising and uplifting.  As the perfume develops further, the woody facets of cedarwood and angelica pulse through and the herbaceous aspects subtly announce themselves with the use of clary sage and coriander seed, which provide a greenness and depth. Gliding through into our consciousness comes wonderful leathery, accord created from styrax and labdanum, clinging lovingly onto the skin. The overall effect is a comforting hug of sensual warmth that is a pleasure to wear especially on colder evenings.

Environmental Social Governance ESG

ESG seal ©

Oud Octavo is a beautiful balance of finely chosen natural ingredients treated with a technical brilliance of a perfumer with an eye for the abstract and a touch of the elegant. The core tenant of Prosody London is to use 100% natural ingredients. Prosody London has earned the ESG Mark (Environmental Social Governance,) a symbol of trust and distinction, which allows consumers to identify organisations who believe in and act to deliver a more sustainable future.  It is natural perfumery done with consideration and an environmentally conscious approach.

Kershen Teo Prosody London

Kershen Teo, courtesy of Prosody London.

 

“I wanted to unlearn all I knew and explore with new eyes – the very best potential of Oud.

To provide people with comforting aura, a layered blanket, with which to softly wrap around themselves on wintery days.” Kershen Teo.

Notes: Vietnamese Oud, cedarwood, cognac, angelica, clary sage, coriander seed, cistus, linden blossom, benzoin, styrax, labdanum, ginger, cinnamon.

Disclaimer: Sample of Prosody London Oud Octavo kindly provided by Prosody. My opinions are my own.

Karl Topham, Guest Contributor

Prosody London Oud Octavo by Kershen Teo

Prosody London Oud Octavo photo by Karl Topham

Thanks to Prosody London, we have a draw for a 10 ml bottle of Prosody London Oud Octavo for one registered reader worldwide. To be eligible please leave a comment about what strikes you about Prosody London Oud Octavo, where you live, and if you are familiar with Prosody London. What smells like winter to you? Draw closes 1/27/2022

Editor’s Note: Please be sure to read Kershen Teo’s essay “Art of Seeing Smells” Here

You can follow us @cafleurebonofficial @prosodylondon @karl.topham @esgmark_official

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our blog feed … or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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35 comments

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    I’m interested in smelling a unique spin on the oud accord. The use of natural ingredients and the 8 different personalities of this fragrance sounds appealing as well. I’m curious to see how all of this different notes work together to create a unique scent. I live in Maryland USA. The smell of winter to me is something like Gucci Pour Homme.

  • The amazing notes strike me , I live in Poland, EU, I’m not familiar with Prosody London. Cinnamon smells like winter to me.

  • I have smelled many oud fragrance and with each fragrance, I find a unique accord in oud. With this one I expect a spin with a boozy and animalic accord. To me, winter smells like hot chocolate and smoky woods. I have not tried anything from Prosody London yet, I hope this be the first one I try.
    I live in the U.S.

  • Hendrix Wilson says:

    Oud is my favorite fragrance note. I love what Mr. Teo stated about the potential for Oud. To take a classic note and reimagine it, to modernize his thinking and take Oud fragrance to new levels. Oud Satin M As always Steven’s review is detailed and passionate. The introduction was done well, giving me just enough insight to peak my curiosities. I would choose Next to Me because I love the Rose/Oud combination. Oud Satin Mood blew my mind on first smell. I have Black Aoud and Intense (Montale), Oud Fleur (Tom Ford), Red Tobacco (Mancera).
    I’m from South Carolina

  • LovelyMouse says:

    This perfume sounds very poetic and alluring. I was convinced by myself that oud has many shades – from delicate floral to animalic. Knowing the craftsmanship of Kershen, I am sure that this fragrance with oud turned out to be extraordinary! It’s a great talent to be able to bring out the natural ingredients in such a way that they play together like a symphony orchestra, and I’m sure Prosody London succeeded in that!
    I am familiar with a beautiful Jacinth Jonquil and I would be happy to try Oud Octavo.
    I am from the UK

  • Carson mccombe says:

    I’m a big fan of Karl’s output so nice to see him here as a guest contributor. I’m not familiar with this brand but it’s nice to see something different being done with oud. It feels like it’s a ubiquitous note at the minute so this approach, and the ranges of notes, feels like a welcome change.

    Winter smells like incense and spice to me (Clove, bay, cinnamon).

    I live in Leeds/UK

  • I really love that this review includes a visual sketch of perfume , its notes with their impact and longevity. I would love to test the perfume against the sketch! The perfume itself sounds wonderful with all the facets of oud, spices and woods.
    I’m in EU

  • THE OUD IS UNIQUE, A WARM BLANKET FOR THE WINTER, THIS SCENT IS DEFINITELY VERY CHARMING.
    Linda (EU)

  • Not familiar with the house until now. I like some of the different notes listed here to go along with the oud. US

  • I wanted to unlearn all I knew and explore with new eyes – the very best potential of Oud.

    To provide people with comforting aura, a layered blanket, with which to softly wrap around themselves on wintery days.” Kershen Teo.

    Notes: Vietnamese Oud, cedarwood, cognac, angelica, clary sage, coriander seed, cistus, linden blossom, benzoin, styrax, labdanum, ginger, cinnamon. I am loving the notes especially cognac, cinnamon and labdanum really smell like winter to my nose. A house that I am not familiar with but I am intrigued by nonetheless. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • opening is pure excitement, as a boozy and animalic nuance appears through the combination of cognac and cistus. These notes combine seductively with linden blossom and benzoin, which in turn creates a honeyed and slightly gourmand experience. The effect is truly sensual, the interplay of these ingredients – hypnotic. I am really fascinated by the notes especially boozy notes which always remind me of winter. A house that I have got no experience with I am afraid. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Love the use of musical terms in describing the perfume and its evolution!
    From the very beginning of my scented passion, oud has always spoke to me, would love to have the chance to explore this new interpretation! I didnt have the chance to try any of Prosody London creations but this one has definitely triggered my curiosity 🙂 To me, winter smells airy and ozonic with a hint of violets rising through the snow but getting home in winter smells like black tea, wood and spices 🙂 Thank you and greetings!
    Lina, @linelle
    EU, Lithuania

  • In general, Oud is my favorite fragrance note. It is the gift of nature to humankind. I liked the vision of Mr. Kershen Teo for Oud as taking a classic note and reimagining it, to modernize and take Oud fragrances to new levels. I liked also his insistence on including natural oud in Oud Octavo. This is the most beautiful thing in any fragrance, the natural scent of olfactive. Actually, this is my first time knowing about Prosody London, so thank you Karl for introducing it to us through this nice oud gem. Greetings from Sarajevo, BiH

  • What struck me first was the picture of the fragrance notes over time- I have not thought to do that before (even though it seems obvious, now!). I was also intrigued by Prosody London’s ESG mark. I have not heard of Prosody London before, although this review has made me curious about them. To me, winter smells like fir trees and wood fires. Thank you for this review! Writing from the EU.

  • Thanks for this great article Karl!

    It has been extremely cold here in the UK and reading about Oud Octavo’s comforting hug of sensual warmth piqued my interest and made me want to wear it immediately!

    It’s always great to hear about a brand that has earned the ESG Mark. They are amongst the pioneers who are delivering a more sustainable future.

    I have heard of Prosody London, but have not tried any from their collection yet and hope to find out with Oud Octavo!

    Greetings from the UK!

  • As I am not a fan of oud-centric fragrances, I wonder how it would work for me. Most of the oud smells that I’ve experienced were wood and nothing else after a while. The review really left me wondering how wearable this one is. To be fair, I’ve never heard of Prosody London. It seems like an interesting house, but impossible to get where I live. The biggest problem with houses like this one is that it is hard to even try one of their creations without paying a half bottle price. I hope that I will find some more samples as the house becomes more popular. I live in Poland.

  • What strikes me about Prosody London Oud Octavo is that they created an Oud fragrance using 100% naturals. I am not familiar with Prosody London but would love to sample their frags. Thanks for the draw! I live in USA, CA.

  • I’ve been exploring more oud fragrances recently. It is a very definitive note with such presence. It’s easy to overwhelm a composition if it’s not expertly blended. The 100% natural ingredients Prosody London use are impressive. The herbs, spices and leather accord with the gourmand elements turn oud into an interesting new experience. I’ve not tried any Prosody London fragrances. I’m in MD, USA.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    What strikes me, firstly, are the notes (always the notes), and then the fact that it isn’t linear (“In Prosody London Oud Octavo, the oud is mellow and addictive; it transforms throughout, in concert with meticulously chosen ingredients to unfold its eight different personalities in a unique umbrella effect. The opening is pure excitement, as a boozy and animalic nuance appears through the combination of cognac and cistus. These notes combine seductively with linden blossom and benzoin, which in turn creates a honeyed and slightly gourmand experience. The effect is truly sensual, the interplay of these ingredients – hypnotic.) And, lastly, it’s natural – I’ve never experienced a natural fragrance.

    I live in Waldorf, Maryland, USA, and I am not familiar with Prosody London.

  • Not familiar with Prosody London products. I like that 100% of their product ingredients are natural. I love oud, but I feel oud can be tricky if it is not blended properly with other notes. From Karl’s review, it appears Prosody London Oud Octavo is a beautifully balance perfume. Winter smell – earthy, dark, leather, deep, oudy, incensy. I liked the graph presented in the review of 13 notes (yes, I counted – there are 13 listed notes) and 13 curves of notes changing over time – an interesting way to visualize a perfume, and I am wondering if all perfumers have such graphs for their perfumes. Love oud, love the notes in Prosody London Oud Octavo. Thanks for the review and draw. I am in the USA.

  • As a bi fan of our, and never tried any Prosody fragrances before, this struck my interest. Most fascinating was the information about the approach of the perfumer.

    Living in Germany, EU

  • wandering_nose says:

    This rendition of oud in a perfume appeals to me immensely. Spicy and animalic, enveloping and uplifting – I cannot resist to dream of trying it. I have not had the chance to experience Prosody London creations as of yet. I would love to as I love their ESG commitment. Winter smells of gingerbread, mulled wine with cinnamon and cloves, and citrus fruits to me. Thank you from Ireland, EU

  • what strikes me is that this fragrance uses 100% natural ingrediants. I am not familiar with this house, residence is in Canada

  • I have never tried their perfumes but I have heard of the house. I’m intrigued by oud. Not sure I could pin point it in a fragrance although I know there are tons of ouds out their. In maryland.

  • Michael Prince says:

    What interests me about Prosody London Oud Octavo is how they use 100% natural ingredients that smell smooth and still generate lasting performance. I am loving the detailed review of this fragrance with a boozy, spicy, resinous, woody, and wearable oud experience. This sounds like something I would love. I haven’t heard of or tried anything from Prosody London before. Winter to me smells like warm, cozy, sweet, comforting gourmand, boozy, spicy, resinous, and vanillic. I am from the USA.

  • This wearable and smooth oud truly sounds wonderful. I am particularly attracted to the notes of ginger and cinnamon, as well as cognac for the boozy effect and the scent of linden blossom, that is a nostalgic one for me.
    For me, the smell of winter is the one of freshly baked cinnamon and cardamom buns. On an opposite pole, it can be that of crisp, cold, earthy air on a chilly January morning.
    I am unfortunately not familiar with Prosody London, at least olfactive-wise.
    I live in Denmark.

  • Um. What? This sounds like an amazing alchemical breakthrough! It’s magic and science together. I am in the US and am familiar with Prosody London, though I haven’t been fortunate enough to try any of their products. To me, winter smells like pine and cardamom and wool and leather and snow.

  • Unfortunately, I haven’t tried anything yet from Prosody London, but I’ve certainly heard of them and I’ve been planning to try all of their fragrance releases. I am interested to try this fragrance for different reasons, e.g. because perfumer Kershen Teo uses natural ingredients, and I’d like to see how Kershen uses the oud in combination with the other ingredients. Karl’s review caused this fragrance to seem very appealing to me, e.g. when he says: “These notes combine seductively with linden blossom and benzoin, which in turn creates a honeyed and slightly gourmand experience. The effect is truly sensual, the interplay of these ingredients – hypnotic.” The smell of eggnog might cause me to think of winter. I live in the U.S.A. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

  • Andrei Artimon says:

    I really love that this review includes a visual sketch of perfume , its notes with their impact and longevity. I would love to test the perfume against the sketch! The perfume itself sounds wonderful with all the facets of oud, spices and woods. New York, Usa.

  • This sounds absolutely masterful, and like it really blows away expectations for what can be done with such materials. And I hope Karl Topham continues to write for Çafleurebon. I had only heard of Prosody through this site.
    (USA)

  • wallygator88 says:

    Vietnamese oud smells pretty heavy on the nose and it is wonderful that Kershen has tempered the character of this oud, into something soft and luxurious, that wraps around you like a warm and thick blanket. I love the way all the warm spices go hand in hand with this scent.

    I unfortunately have not smelt anything from this house as yet.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Very intriguing review Karl! What strikes me about Prosody London Oud Octavo is how it’s described as a fragrance that highlights and celebrates oud’s changeable and shifting nature, that uses a series of supporting notes working in harmony with the central oud to bring out it’s eight different personalities. Oud is one of my favorite ingredients and I love how complicated, fluid, and multifaceted it is. A pure oud fragrance can have all the shifting complexity of a full top-heart-base fragrance, and the fact that Oud Octavo focuses on that makes it incredibly intriguing to me. I can’t wait to try it!

    I live in the US. I am familiar with Prosody London from a number of different reviews and recommendations, but I have yet to try any. To me, winter smells like cool crisp minerality, bracing mountain air, with pine and citrus brought from far away places.

  • Phil O’Gorman says:

    I simply adore this scent. When I’ve done my third twok of the day it really livens up my mood to keep high energy before striking my forth Vauxhall Nova and taking in a marvellous joy ride down Braddy Road.

  • Pete Mitchell says:

    ‘Oud to be’ Or ‘Oud to me’ that is the question!
    This is a scent that always makes me fly high, everyone around me takes notice, I feel like a peacock ruffling my feathers and peaks the interest in both sexes.
    Lasts the whole night too, just like me!!

  • Harry Devaney says:

    The ingredients, the imagination, the vision all complimenting each other seamlessly and creating a symphony or pleasure that you can only dream about and read in 50 shades of gay or Shaving private Ryan, Need a fresh pair on underpants? Only if I wear them, which hasn’t happened since I listed to Madonna “True Blue” in 1988.