Oud Ispahan by Dior is an Amber Floral fragrance for women and men. Oud Ispahan was launched in 2012 as an Eau de Parfum. The nose behind this fragrance is legendary Dior perfumer Francois Demachy.
Dior’s Oud Ispahan is part of the Les Parfums Collection Privée Christian Dior. Dior’s Oud Ispahan was an absolute hit when it was released. It has been praised for its unique blend of oud, rose, and spices, and many consider it to be a classic.
The keynotes of this Amber Floral fragrance are Labdanum, Rose, Patchouli, Oud and Sandalwood
A word by the perfumer:
“Oud Ispahan opens the doors to an ochre-walled palace filled with captivating fragrances. The smoky trail of smoldering wood, the softness of floral water lingering on washed hands. It is the fragrance of this voluptuous atmosphere where odors of rose, frankincense and resin waft in the air. A fragrance as velvety plump as the roses of the Orient.”
| Perfume Name | Oud Ispahan |
| Brand | Dior |
| Year Released | 2012 |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum |
| Scent Family | Amber Floral |
| Gender | unisex |
I finally managed to get my hands on a sample of this iconic scent via my local stockist. Here are my thoughts on this classic oud scent by Dior.
What does Oud Ispahan by Dior smell like?
Oud Ispahan opens with the distinctive scent of labdanum. The strong labdanum is balanced out by a jammy rose and animalic oud.
When I spray it feels like I’m opening a 50-year-old bottle of exquisite red wine – dark fruits, pungent and syrupy sweet red wine. Even for untrained noses, the scent is absolutely luxurious.
Wearing it feels like an entire experience – as if I’m wandering around in an oriental bazaar on a hot summer day, and the air is filled with the smell of aromatic oils, overripe fruits, tobacco, and incense.
| Top Notes | Labdanum |
| Middle Notes | Rose, Patchouli and Saffron |
| Base Notes | Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood and Cedar |
My Experience
When I put on Oud Ispahan, it opens on my skin with a loud, dark and challenging Labdanum. This pungent Labdanum is mingled with the jammy rose and slightly animalic oud that’s layering the earthy patchouli.
As time passes, I find that the loud and animalic notes fade away and leave me with this beautiful harmony of rose and oud. The sandalwood gives the scent a creaminess and some extra warmth.
To say that Oud Ispahan is smooth is an understatement. Throughout its progression, it’s silky yet full of character at the same time.
Sillage & Projection
The sillage and projection of this fragrance is incredible. So often, I’ve been disappointed by the performance of expensive perfumes, but Oud Ispahan is really a workhorse. People will absolutely notice your presence and this beautiful scent.
Longevity & Versatility
I find Oud Ispahan to be a very versatile fragrance, and it can easily carry you from day to night all year round. I wore it to the office, and I think it makes for a very stylish impression, but I’d caution against over-spraying it as it already has a very noticeable trail and longevity. It can work equally well for a date night as it also has that seductive quality to it.
The longevity of this scent is absolutely incredible! On my skin, it lasts more than 12 hours. I put it on in the morning before heading out to work, and while out for dinner in the evening, I could still smell it.
Closing thoughts
This scent is by no means a mass crowd-pleaser, and it’s quite the powerhouse, so you absolutely have to test it first – definitely not blind-buy proof. This is the perfect fragrance for someone looking for a high-quality and distinctive oud scent.
While scents like this are very typical in middle eastern perfumeries, Dior’s take on it is still distinctly western, which makes this scent very unique.
If Oud Ispahan is something up your alley, it’s definitely worthy of a full bottle! Although it comes with a hefty price tag, the scent is super versatile, and its performance makes it well worth the price, in my opinion.
However, it’s not the typical oud fragrance that you might have tried before, so even if you think oud scents don’t appeal to you, I encourage everyone to try this scent at least once. I think this fragrance has the potential to change many people’s opinions on oud fragrances.