Our take
What does Oud Essentiel smell like?
Thierry Wasser composed Oud Essentiel for Guerlain's Les Absolus d'Orient, a line since renamed Absolus Allegoria. Fragrance databases date it to 2017. Saffron opens dry and slightly leathery, softened by a rosy, peppery geranium. Oud arrives early. It is smoky and a bit medicinal, without the barnyard note of rawer ouds. Rose follows closely, and Atlas cedar adds a dry wood that smells like pencil shavings. The base gives pride of place to leather and incense. Guaiac wood lays a soft smoke over them, like a fire that has just gone out. Next to Santal Royal from the same collection, it feels much drier and more austere. The two will not appeal to the same people. It is still on sale.
When to wear it
A winter evening scent. One spray is enough, two if you want to be noticed.
It belongs to the Woody, Leather family. Oud Essentiel is one of 99 creations by Guerlain in our encyclopedia.
