Oud Vendome by Ex Nihilo: Notes, Longevity and Review

What does Oud Vendome smell like?

Oud Vendome by Ex Nihilo smells like a modern, polished take on oud. Saffron and ginger open it with a dry, leathery spice, sharp but refined. The heart of galbanum and cedar adds a green, resinous structure. The base brings agarwood oud with incense and musk, warm and smooth rather than smoky. It is an oud for people who usually find oud too heavy.

Notes, concentration and longevity

Oud Vendome was launched in 2014 by Ex Nihilo as an eau de parfum, conceived as a Parisian reading of agarwood. The composition keeps the oud note clean and framed by spice and woods.

• Top notes: saffron, ginger
• Heart notes: galbanum, cedar
• Base notes: agarwood (oud), musk, incense

Longevity is moderate, around six to eight hours, with soft to moderate projection. It sits closer than a traditional dense oud, which makes it easier to wear in shared spaces.

On skin, the saffron-ginger opening lasts about an hour before the green galbanum heart appears. The oud accord sits underneath rather than on top, so the scent reads as a spiced woody perfume with an oud character instead of a blunt oud statement. Two sprays are plenty for an evening.

Best for

Evenings, cooler months, and formal settings suit it best, though its restraint keeps it wearable in the office in small doses. It works for both men and women and fits anyone curious about oud without committing to a smoky powerhouse. For a greener woody alternative, Haneen Anfas is drier and lighter, while Clean Suede trades the oud for soft leather.

FAQ

Is Oud Vendome a heavy oud?

No. It is a streamlined, contemporary oud. The agarwood is present but smoothed by musk and incense, so it reads refined rather than dense.

What does the saffron opening smell like?

Dry and leathery with a slight metallic edge, lifted by ginger. It gives the first hour a crisp, confident character.

How long does Oud Vendome last?

About six to eight hours, with moderate sillage that softens into a skin-close warmth in the later hours.

Is it unisex?

Yes. The listing is Oud Vendome, with more niche perfumes at DNA Perfumo.