Oud Ayoub is the end of an era. Over a span of almost twenty years, I can count the number of Meghalayan distillation we conducted on one hand. Oud Ayoub was distilled eleven years ago, and is the last Meghalayan I have from that time.
And I only have a little left… after using the bulk of it – could you believe it? – to make Sultan Rose Attar and Olde Hind.
So, here’s to a different time, a different place, a different breed of oud. The closest scent profile would be Oud Yunus (2007) or an old-school Bhutan, i.e. all oils from back then. Creamy, punchy, with Hindi oomph like no one’s business.
Very Limited supply.
Featured Testimonials…
Oud Ayoub truly renewed my faith in classical profile, artisanal Indian Oud Oil. This Oud is neither brash nor arrogant or loud. It has a dark Amber color that somehow looks embedded with energy.
The smoothest of leather notes with bit of iodine greets you upon application. No over the top fecal notes or oily stale smells that one can encounter in run-of-the-mill oils is to be found here. There is no messing around here with floral notes or fruity stuff either, just honest to goodness Indian Oud in all its glory. This is the Oud of Old times.
There is a unique note of cucumber that gives the oil an aquatic feel. It is an odd but alluring note. The oil however doesn’t have projection which has both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand I wear this and I go to work and actually everyone around me seem to like it. I wouldn’t dare do that say with Mostafa or Khidr.
The other point is longevity; I have clocked anywhere from 2.5 hours to 4 hours with repeated use but not beyond. The dry down is a fabulous Oud burning notes on your skin with a slight acidity and brilliance.
For me, this is a contemplation Oud that take me back to the banks of the river Nile around the sun set time with the peasants herding their animals back to the barns along the irrigation canals and the smell of smoldering hay being burned in the distant fields is mingling with the smoke of the water pipe laden with honey soaked Tobacco as one take a sip on mint tea and watch the boats sail by.