A Noble Breed

Oud used to be one of those notes that my nose immediately detected and rejected. The animalic, barnyard scent it so often goes hand-in-hand with just didn’t agree with me. But in more recent times, after trying some pure oud oils that don’t necessarily carry this character, something has clicked into place. Oud Palao houses a stable of a more noble breed.

We’re still in classic oud-rose territory, but this feels refined and scrubbed clean of its fecal tones - this is Diptyque, after all. A certain growl does peek through in the opening, but it’s short-lived, quickly mellowed by a bold, dark rose and smoky, ceremonial incense.

The longer it wears, the better it gets. As a subtly sweet, non-edible vanilla emerges alongside smooth, creamy sandalwood, a meditative tranquillity begins to take hold. It's this sense of peacefulness that separates Oud Palao from the sea of rose-ouds that remain forceful and boisterous long after the initial spray has settled, while also providing a unisex edge that many such perfumes are lacking.

That's not to say it's weak, though. Unlike many Diptyques, which aren't known for powerhouse performance, Oud Palao projects boldly and lasts an eternity on the skin. When I still had a decant, this was one I loved spraying right before bed, just so waking up felt like I'd spent the night in a temple, surrounded by ancient woods and sacred smoke.