Description
Yves Saint Laurent Oriental Collection has received the fourth fragrance inspired by wood. That is the edition called Splendid Wood based on precious woody notes created in oriental style. Precious ingredients for this fragrance to fill the luxurious glass flacon decorated with gold colors were selected by perfumers Marie Salamagne and Amandine Marie.
The woody composition in which the main role is played by several types of wood from the Middle East along with oud and cedar is spiced with cardamom and thyme. Gentle and elegant sambac jasmine petals provide a fine layer which cools the woody-spicy character, accompanied with cypriol bestowing characteristic woody-earthy shades. After Majestic Rose, Noble Leather and Supreme Bouquet introduced last year, the new fragrance of the Oriental Collection can be expected on the market in March 2014.
Flacon of the new perfume Splendid Wood repeats form and design of previous editions of the Oriental collection and will be available as 80ml Eau de Parfum.
Splendid Wood was created by Marie Salamagne and Amandine Clerc-Marie.
nemykin-2011 – :
Very very interesting, it smells Umami. Never realized that umami can also be a smell. Like some clear chicken ramen broth spoiled on aromatic woods.
popoudin – :
This one is my first fragrance from the YSL niche line. I just have to say that I’m very impressed. To my nose, it almost has a smokey dusty feel to it; however, the fragrance isn’t too dry-smelling which is a good thing. Splendid Wood reminds me of being in a redwood forest.
Scent: 8 / 10
Performance: 6 / 10
sergey kyc – :
Not just Splendid – it’s Superlative. SUPERB. An absolute dreamboat of a scent. I approached this with caution (blind buy of a partial bottle of a supposedly ‘male’ fragrance) and then fell drastically, permanently in love with it. The name actually put me off (never trust anyone or anything that keeps repeating how great s/he/it is) until I got my first sniff and realised they’d been totally underselling this. It’s a masterpiece. I could wrack my brains for a decade trying to come up with words to convey its harmony and opulence – all golden shimmer and luxury – and yet how it still smells of a sere, unforgiving desert at the same time.
One of the most beautiful opens imaginable – enough kick in the incense and cardamom to be clear without cloying, cypriol that’s dry and deeply aromatic without hitting you in the adenoids with a big wooden plank, the darker woods also present and correct – mellow, polished, forceful yet never overwhelming. Guaiac (?) and oud giving just the right tang of medicine and tiny tiny tincture of a tinge of antiseptic as well. Everything held in such perfect balance that this is to me 100% unisex and appropriate for anything. Ooooooozes class and taste and beauty. It manages that trick of seeming sweet – because everything is just so good – without being at all sugared, or even having much of a honey note either. THIS ONE is everything I really wanted Lubin Galaad to be, but wasn’t.
Moderate sillage and projection … obviously I’d prefer both to be turned up to 11 but it’s all in keeping with this scent’s civilised and tasteful character to be set at ‘just right’ rather than ‘hmm, a little too much maybe?’. This smells far too distinctive to be called discreet or restrained, but it definitely doesn’t overstep the mark. (Maybe that’s just as well, with my shameless lust for it and the way I keep throwing myself at its feet.)
It is in one sense a ‘mainstream’ fragrance – it’s not really weird or challenging in any direction – but it’s also tantalisingly close to absolute perfection. Now I am a crazed woodswoman, hog wild and mad for anything smelling of living or dead tree, but if you have any interest at all in luxurious orientals you can and must try this wonderful elixir. It makes my knees go weak. Want to climb this thing like a giant oak and never leave it.
ooolllbbbyyy – :
very medicinal scent to my nose.. I’m guessing its the incense. The wife likes it on me, but can’t say that I’m a fan.
engangeak – :
From this collection I own Noble leather and this juice. I was surprised when I tried it, it kept drawing me back. I found this fragrance to go on my skin silky smooth and a refind aroma of wood notes with a definite musk vib thou it’s not listed. After it settles, there’s a hint of spicy/peppery base coming from the smokey note adding depth to this fragrance.
Longevity and Silage is very high…it lasts longer than 10hrs and you’re able to smell this juice at least 1 1/2 ft away.
If you enjoy a mix of wood notes with a definite smokey incense aroma without it being cloying or overpowering….this juice is perfect fit.
I was fortunate to buy this fragrance lower than what the store’s were selling it at. This has the quality of a niche fragrance…Overall 8/10
Before I forget, I want to advise anyone who’s thinking of buying any of these fragrance from this collection . ..DO not to wait! I was told by several who work for YSL. They’ll be changing the package and disconnecting several.
lentchik – :
I may have impulse bought on this one… It had very good reviews. And it was cheap. So cheap that what ran through my head was “Are you serious? That amount must have been entered into the computer incorrectly. I MUST get it before they realise the mistake or somebody else snaps it up.” Either that, or it was discounted. But I highly doubt it, cos niche YSL doesn’t get reduced by almost 50%. Not in a department store.
The scent (coming from a perspective of strong Arabic ouds and wood blends) is rather tame woods and lots of sweetness. It’s a really nice scent, but not classically Middle Eastern. More like Sensuous by Estée Lauder. I like that one. It has the same sweetness, probably from the honey note. Major differences between this and Sensuous is the presence of oud, and better quality ingredients (but in comparison Sensuous’ ingredients are trashy). First spritz blasts you with cardamom. I also notice cypriol. But the others are there when you search for them. This is not a particularly hard fragrance to get into. It’s beautiful, sophisticated and enjoyable. But not five stars, since it doesn’t knock my socks off. There’s better out there. Personally I prefer the Armani Prive range, since they are smoother, better blended and so well crafted. Check out the two frankincense ones (blue cap and black cap), and the oud range (gold caps). Will cost an arm and a leg, but they’re worth it.
reAllymAn – :
Extremely clean, soapy smelling inoffensive wood. Very mild and bland, a tad sweet.
Maybe an oud for beginners? I had expected more from a perfume that is named Splendid.
fzf905JeomiWogkig – :
NicheMaster29: A quick online search pulled up Surrender To Chance (U.S.), The Perfumed Court (U.S.), and Perfumista (U.K.) as selling samples, although there may of course be others. If you are travelling through a larger international airport, you may find a tester of this on display – I tried it at London Heathrow almost a year ago and thought it was very nice… but, thus far, not nice enough to part with the amount of cash they are asking for it.
highwayman – :
I keep seeing a lot of ultra high end fragrances that are compared to this fragrance on here, does anyone know where to get a sample or decant? If you can help please please pm me, this is a little steep to blind buy . Thanks
pandaaa – :
This is a very well composed and dry smelling fragrance. The first time I smelled it though the note of jasmine came to the front as it is something I wouldn’t use on my skin. As I got used to it, I noted the cypriol does very well wrapping the jasmine, thus letting the other notes come together in a more harmonious way.
tka4anko1 – :
I really like this because it’s got a dry smokiness that’s less balsamic than others I’ve tried but on me wears a bit too masculine without some rose in it. I don’t find it to be sweet at all but it could be because I’m a girl and my body chemistry is different.
I would find it incredibly irresistible on a man! (seriously, I might agree to go on a date with a guy just because he wore this)
akkypant – :
لذتی که از استشمام این رایحه در فضای دفتری و یا مکانی خلوت که هیجان در آن دوران دارد می نواند این رایحه سنگین را به لطافت ولی قوی درون قلب ها در جریان انداخت تا یک مرد مدیر با همراه خوصوصیات اصیل زاده را حس کرد
نام این خانه عطر وشیشه با شیکی را برای همگان نمایان کرد.
денис папсуйко – :
Probably the best in the newer YSL line next to majestic rose. There’s definetely a cardamom incense vibe going on next to the oud. It’s. Bit synthetic feeling however so I don’t think it’s fbw.
volirvag – :
There is an Indian dessert called Kheer, a sweet creamy confection – much like rice pudding in the Western World, but scented with cardamom and incredibly sweet, creamy and smooth.
This frag is to me, like Kheer in a bottle. A beautiful creamy, sweet, woody confection with clouds of cardamom flying around in the top. I love this fragrance – truly comforting.
ltsyahs731 – :
This is a more refined version of Ferrari’s essence oud it has less oud skank and it’s much softer with a true gentleman’s vibe or a wealthy middle eastern.
СВАРЩИК – :
I have Shams from Memo, when i tested this lovely perfume i thought at the moment of drydown “this perfume reminds me of somerhing” a bit later i knew it for sure;
” Shams” from Memo!
It is an utterly butterly soft almost a little sweet Oud, quiet expensive smelling
Though not exclusive!
my love is gone – :
Awesome scent by YSL; finally another classic! The first wear made the price more than worthwhile.
Nice strong opening with a sterile, smoky oud riding on cypriol & cedar with just a bitty hint of a jasmine-esque flower.
The dry down makes me go nuts! That’s where the magic is in this one; it’s hard to describe. All the notes melt into a soft (not weak) mélange of fine wood, rosy jasmine, thick resin, and…who knows what else, who cares? it’s top notch!
Cheers YSL!
freemen – :
I liked SW upon first sniff. Cinnamony in the beginning, slightly lighter-weighed later on. It was just a first testing but my impression was good enough for a second thought. That is more than what I usually think of the orientals that were recently launched.
Dj Deus – :
The first thing i was thinking when smelling this scent, was that with this one,they,ve made a women version of the M7 oud absolu. Just my first impression.
And they,ve done damn well.
sawyer1989 – :
If you are looking for a very wearable aoud fragrance but find M7 too sweet then this could be the one for you. In time this will be seen as a YSL classic (and, yes, I know the others in this line have been generally regarded as disappointments) as it really shines. It opens with a fantastic burst of burned sugar and incensey woods then dries down into a rich, sophisticated blend of aoud, cedar, cardamom and cypriol. It smells earthy but luxurious at the same time. I am a big fan of M7 – but this could almost be as good, and certainly more wearable for most people. Sillage and longevity is just bit above average. Would have prefered this a bit stronger. The only real problem is the obscene price tag. I loved this on first smell at Heathrow Airport and decided to splurge (no more frags this year!). It was worth it.
Bars_rb – :
I lean more towards woody scents, and when I seen this one, I just had to sample it. And I was not let down at all. Usually, unisex perfumes/colognes either tend to lean on either the masculine or feminine side, but this, it doesn’t lean on either side, it’s perfectly balanced. It smells manly, but yet, it smells like a woman. Perfectly woody, and makes you want to come in a little closer to have a better sniff. Drives me crazy when I smell it on my man, and makes me feel sexy when I wear it. Total aphrodisiac for me. The jasmine note comes out beautifully on my skin, but it’s non-existent on him. First spray is like a heavy cloud of smoky incense, but then it tempers down in minutes, and that’s when the magic happens for me. Not a work-safe scent for me. Because all I would think about is naughty things.
Van Cox – :
Splendid Wood is sublime. Yes, smoky with just enough contrast from the jasmine and cardamom to balance out the woody aspects. Oud is in there, but it doesn’t have the plastic sort of edge that usually kills the pleasure of that accord for me. LOVE this one. I will explore my sample further, but at first blush, I feel I need a full bottle of this in my fragrance wardrobe.
gag99 – :
This is NOTHING like the regular YSL line. Not only is it niche quality in every way, the two I have tried (this and Majestic Rose) from the Oriental Collection are superior to a lot of them as far as potency, staying power and an overall luxurious feel. Splendid Wood is just that – splendid. Mildly spicy and woody and the oud isn’t overdone. I love the incense used in this. There is a bit of freshness to SW that keeps it from feeling heavy. I wore this in the middle of the summer (in the south) and it did not feel too heavy at all. I think it would be better in cooler months though. Leans masculine. But completely female friendly for those who like a woody scent. I really like this a lot. I thought this line would smell main stream with a slight twist (sort of on the order of Trish McEvoy Black Rose and Oud, which I love but is more of a mainstream/niche hybrid). But it really does feel full on niche and the quality is superior. I’m very impressed!
Nyuta – :
07. April 2014
The whole oriental collection has finall arrived to our main department store. I have only tested them on paper blotters yet, i will defenitely retest them on skin later as well and see if they smelled different.
“Precious wood” is an attepmt to launch a “semi – niche” fragrance on a popular agarwood(oud) theme. However YSL is such a mainstream house that they fail to convince me 100%. Yes, it is nothing like a mass market product and will defenitely not please everyone, but those who öike oudy-woody fragrances will enjoy it. It starts out quite stinky and one must hold a breath until the opening phase will pass. Very concentrated and quite incensy for my taste (personal opinion).
I cannnot smell any cardamom, just pure incence and wood. It stayslike this intensivly for over an hour and then begin to transform into more softer woodsy scent. There is now much less “burnt wood” note in the middle stage, agarwood is softer and thanks to jasmine it becomes bit more fresh. Incense is still here.
I still have to wait until the very drydown and will update my review later this day.
But guys and girls – 80ml costs 189euros!!!! I believe there are cheaper alternatives. This one is really nice, but no worth the price IMO. I am still not sure about lasting power and sillage on skin, but by far sillage is quite good ( heavy), at least for the first 2hours on paper. The drydown us still to come an it will form my final opinion about this fragrance.
UPDATE:
Ok, still a paper blotter test.
Meanwhile the fragrance becomes quite airy and light, most probably to jasmine note getting intense. But the very drydown is still resinious and woody.
ccc1980 – :
Just by looking at the listed notes, it seems that is going to smell terrific. I hope this one will be marketed in the U.S.
I love woody, smoky, incensy notes, because they project that flair of mysticism, which is so alluring to me.
hti685bedyWelty – :
This looks pretty good .. Incense, jasmine, different types of wood including oud.. I love the bottle to, simple but nice.. I have yet to get my nose on any of these exclusive YSL fragrances but I am sure they are better than the mainstream collection..