Parfum d'Empire Ruade Extrait de Parfum

Fragrance Family:
Woody Amber

Notes:
Vietnamese Oud, Ambrette Seed, Narcissus Absolute, Hay Absolute, Ambergris Accord, Tonkin Musk Accord

Concentration:
Extrait de Parfum

Occasion:
Exquisite, powerful, and bold. A real oud - untamed and in excess - for connoisseurs, and those in search of a fragrance of unparalleled luxury.

Perfumer’s Inspiration:
“I discovered oud some 30 years ago. At the time, it was a researcher friend of mine – a brilliant analyst of natural raw materials – who sent me a small vial accompanied by his complex analytical file and a handwritten note telling me that he was convinced this terribly animalic note would please me. It did! Years later, I wanted to work this oud into one of my perfumes. I knew exactly how I wanted to use it. But very quickly, it began to be asserted everywhere, and I preferred to put this project, which was close to my heart, to the side. And yet, despite all the hype, we rarely smell oud in its natural state: Western perfumery has appropriated the note with often sticky, sickening reconstitutions, stripping it of its shiny, leathery effects and highly animalistic flight. The nobility of oud reminds me of some of my equine travel companions … Horses have always been part of my life. By supporting my journey through the darkest days, they have saved me many times.”

Made in France

Bewildering and wild, but not untamable, Ruade opens with real power and grace. In its unique manner, it is irresistible - if not hypnotic - a celebration of fine things that so happen to be funky too. Those who know horses will understand the scent immediately, those who do not will be greeted by a kind ferocity - filling our imaginaries with the unique pastoral mixture of brown earth, hay, sweat, and unequivocal animal. Firm and warm equine bodies against unbelievable softness, the horse rests in its hay-lined stable, filling the air with strong aromas. Ruade is a pungent woody perfume with strong earthy tonalities, as well as animal ones. Sweat is caught in horse hair and leather tacks - it is an oud perfume where the ingredient is the means towards this narrative end. In unbelievable overdose, with additions of tonkin musk, ambergris, and narcissus that celebrates and extends the beguiling bizarreness of it all. In a certain sense, Ruade is inexplicable - a strong presence that is impossible to dissect - given immediately and felt for a long time.