Aoud Gourmet M. Micallef for women

Let me begin by saying that the so-called top notes are actually the basenotes according to my skin and nose.
Aoud gourmet starts with sharp and strong aoud notes creating an amazing silage that only lasts several minutes, sadly; at this point the scent has a very heavy middle eastern character; the punchy aoud dissipates soon, leaving behind a spicy scent which is very woody, full of cardamon and dry vanilla. Still I get no sweetness yet but a soft, powdery , and increasingly sweeter sandalwood follows, the spices still remaining. Finally the scent becomes a little gourmand. One hour later the perfume is soft, barely there, more like a skin scent, and definitely edible; a little honey and sugared almonds, more of a velvety smooth wood, and a hint of aoud remain.
I love this perfume, and I find it quite similar to Rose Aoud, without the roses. There is an incense smokey dryness that persists. A very sexy and sensual scent. It doesn't have the Montale lasting power, I wish it did, it's softer , like a cashmere blanket. Addictive, mysterious, enchanting.

Aoud is definitely a big part of this Gourmand! I love Aoud for all the very clever reasons it’s used but in this case it was much too resinous, sharp and over-powering for this perfume. I didn’t feel the notes were seamlessly blended, more thrown together. It all fell a bit flat for me and wasn’t very interesting, quite basic overall. I love, love marzipan and it was the biggest reason for me to buy this one however I couldn't really smell marzipan at all. I got the honey/sugar, Aoud and Cardamom most, the rest just didn't really show at all! This was too loud where it should have been subtle and too subtle where it needed to have a bit more to say for itself! Overall ok but nothing to write home about. On me it was more or less gone from my skin within 2 hours max, which having said all of the above, was not something I felt terribly sad about!

It's shocking that oud is not listed as a note- it is so strong and obvious in the opening it almost burnt the lining of my nose! Slowly over time the honey and sugary notes come out, and they are really lovely. The oud is still there though. I'm not a fan of oud at all really,especially as a dominant note but I bought this sample simply because I love gourmands. I have found Micallef scents to be of high quality and expertly blended which is also the case here, even though I wish this scent had no oud note,in which case I'd buy it immediately. This really is the perfect Gourmand Oud, if that's what you're into (it's just not me). It also has killer staying power and very good sillage.

This opens with what smells like to me a very prominent aoud note, although its softer than any of the Montales I've tried.

After a bit the honey shows up and it mellows to a soft honey and woods scent. I can also detect a bit of sugar and cardamon, although the latter is judiciously used and is never overwhelming.

Aoud Gourmet is not overly sweet at any time like some gourmands can be, and it dries down to almost a skin scent. I find it quite lovely, but not terribly exciting. If a gourmand aoud scent is something you fancy this juice is worth a sniff.

Yes I too would swear this had aoud as a dominant note; it opens very resinous and sharp (like straight up aoud). At this point it smells like many montales..and a little mundane. However the sweets eventually reveal themselves although they are very subtle, like honey and saffron(not listed). This is definitely the least sweet gourmand i've tried- Aoud Gourmet would be well suited to those who enjoy aoud and are just looking for a variation of it. I think a man could wear it easily! Good longevity and sillage; the harsh open dissipates quickly and becomes a sweeter, softer aoud.

A genuine woody spicy.
Although oudh is not listed, I do smell it! It must be the combination of spices and woods.
To my surprise, I can't smell any of the gourmand notes. Only as it dries down, it gets sweet with a simple burnt sugar sweetness (but not too much).
Big sillage and staying power.
For oudh lovers!

Got a sample as part of a lot sale. Usually don't go for gourmands because they can be overly heady and sweet but I have been on a what-the-heck-try-it spree and have decided to take the plunge. Having recently purchased a few Arabian perfumes I was really curious as to just how much of this fragrance I would be able to take before saying enough. Arabian perfumes can be demanding on your olfactory senses but I have come to love them. The less is more lesson has been learned.
As I opened the vial and sniffed I immediately detected the oud and honey but did not get the marzipan until after I lightly applied to my wrists and back of hand. Its been about 2 1/2 hrs and I have lightly reapplied to the same area. This is really a treat for me because the honey, marzipan, sugar and now,(nutmeg and patchouli?),is starting to meld into caramely-toffee-woody and I am savoring each whiff. I love it when I can taste how a fragrance smells. I imagine a caramel toffee marshmallow slow roasted over an incense stick. As it drys down I still get to keep my aoud going but now it is accompanied by the musk and sandalwood. I'm sure the ambergris and cardamom are here but my untrained nose can't tell. So sorry.
Mmmmmmm . . . . This is not the headrush aoud gourmand I was afraid it would turn out to be that would leave me breathless and produce a major migrane but instead it has become one to roll around in your headspace and savor, and I am beside myself with joy. If I am destined to love a gourmand it has to be this one or one that can follow the lead of Aoud Gourmet.