ALTER OUD – My new desired perfume

I knew about this perfume coincidentally when surfing the website of Perfumer & Flavorist.

In the Art and Olfaction Awards 2023, they announced the list of Finalists which includes the name of this perfume – Alter Oud, by d.grayi.

Accidentally, I picked it and searched its name on Google to know more about it. I just want to find out the reason or something interesting that made it become one of the Finalists.

And surprisingly, Alter Oud was made to be reminiscent of a Vietnamese altar. Let’s check what the author tell about this captivating scent bottle:

“Alter Oud is a scent that is very special to me. I wanted to create something that really represents my family and culture. This scent combined the scent of my family’s home altar with Vietnamese oud. Our wooden altar (or bàn thờ in Vietnamese) has incense placed in jasmine rice alongside fruits and treats. I remember this combination of scents welcoming me home every day.

I combined this nostalgic scent with oud from Vietnam to create something that is very special with a lot of depth to it. It also contains a tincture of pho herbs, saffron, fruits, turmeric, and jasmine rice. I personally use this to clear energy around me.”

I was really surprised and happy to know that somewhere all around the world, someone wanted to draw the traditionally beautiful Vietnamese culture, uniquely. That’s also the way I want to go and follow in the fragrance world. I just wanna penetrate my emotion and memories associated with people, culture and nature in Vietnam – where I have been living for more than 20 years.

Even though I’ve never had a chance to try it by my nose, I was still impressed by the ingredients they used to create it, especially Oud comes from Vietnam.

Of course, what I imagine by myself is not exactly what this perfume could convey to others. Memories and experiences are always different from each other.

Alter Oud’s profile reminds me of the time when I visited my grandparents and burned incense sticks to my ancestors during Tet Holiday. This special time gives me a chance to think about some nostalgic memories which are triggered by the combination of incense, oud, fruits and cakes on the altar.

I hope I could buy it to enjoy this engaging scent in the short term.

Memories and experiences are always different from each other.