* At the top, Interlude exudes cedar and bergamot with a touch of violet.
* The violet fades, as the cedar feels like it is actually burning in a fire and is joined by a harsh, vetiver grass.
Tag: oud
* Oud Ispahan starts off quite delicate with a lightly smoky, woody amber.
* Don’t let the top notes fool you, this is a bumpy ride up ahead.
* Harrods Oud Patchouli starts off unexpectedly, with a strong absinthe/anise note.
* Whereas absinthe is often cold, the opening notes feel quite warm.
* Mohur is all about the rose with its development being an exploration of rose combinations.
* The top note is a soapy rose that projects strongly for the first 20 minutes or so.
* Part of a trio of fragrances celebrating the history and traditions of India by Neela Vermeire and perfumer Bertrand Duchaufor, the name Mohur comes from a gold coin that was important in the history of India. It is also a tribute to an empress of the Mughal dynasty Noor Jahan, who celebrated the art of perfumery.
* The soap of the rose burns off and it gets a little bit sweeter, almost gourmand with the almond milk and iris – making it more luscious.
* The sweetness quiets a bit as oud comes into play. Before you shake your head and say, please not another oud fragrance, this is one of the rare scents where oud is a supporting player and not stage hog. The oud makes the rose a little sweaty and almost brazen in feel.
* The oud dissipates and the base of vanilla and tonka sweetens the rose, with wood and patchouli settling it.
Summary: Mohur is a fragrance that I didn’t get the first few times I wore it. I wouldn’t say it’s an intellectual fragrance, but the development is quite subtle and gradual over a long period of time. Aside from the rose, none of the other notes stand out or scream. They act as supporting players that tell a story about the rose. Mohur is not one that I personally love, but I could see people who like rose loving it. If you are interested in a different take on rose and oud that is more subtle and refined, Mohur is definitely one worth experiencing.
Mohur is available at Lucky Scent and the Neela Vermiere website.
Disclaimer: Sample provided by Neela Vermeire My opinions are my own and I am not financially compensated for this review or any others. Image from www.luckyscent.com