Our take
What does Oud Blanc smell like?
Van Cleef & Arpels added Oud Blanc to its Collection Extraordinaire in 2020, using the familiar bottle lacquered in white. Anne Flipo composed it. Her starting point was oud as it burns, when it gives off a white and enveloping smoke. It opens on a date accord, sweet and slightly candied. The heart builds a reconstructed oud that is clean and free of any animal edge. Turkish rose and incense surround it. The incense supplies the pale smoke, more church than campfire. In the base, aldehydic white musks meet a vanilla pod. They make the whole thing luminous and almost powdery. Tom Ford's Oud Wood stays drier and woodier. Oud Blanc goes for softness and transparency instead. Oud purists will be disappointed. People who are nervous about the material get a friendly way in.
When to wear it
Wear it in the evening or for a dressy occasion, even in spring thanks to its pale base. Two sprays are enough because the incense projects well.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. Oud Blanc is one of 20 creations by Van Cleef & Arpels in our encyclopedia.
