Gentleman Secret
Arabian Oud

Egoiste Platinum on steroids.

Big and unapologetic. Not necessarily manly (a woman can pull this off all day) but just boisterous yet well balanced.

Only for when you want to dominate a room.

I've tested Gentleman Secret on skin while visiting the "London Oxford Street" Arabian Oud's Boutique. This fragrance is one of the most recent releases from this interesting Saudi brand, a fantastic freshly exotic musky accord of cardamom, further mild spices, ylang-ylang, pink laurel, floral notes, tropical fruits (litchi, somewhat spicy, fresh, delicate and vaguely viney), probably tonka (I really suppose it), woodsy resins and plenty of musk. Amazing, one of the most seriously exotic (cardamom, ylang-ylang, tonka etc) scents I've tested in my life, really sensual, aromatic, charismatic and elegant. Great great projection. An ylang-ylang's spicy Ode imo. There is an aromatic/fruity/spicy freshness all around, a cool spicy freshly resinous soapiness. The connection between aromatic coriander, citrus, oakmoss, tonka and woods conjures me seriously the great Spazio di Krizia Uomo but in Gentleman Secret the aroma smells more spicy, "coloured", fruity and less textured (I mean in here the sillage is more simple, modern, smoothly musky and powerful). It seems to detect floral notes (geranium-geraniol, lily of the valley, jasmine??). There is a synthetic soapiness along the evolution (especially in the top, vaguely barber-shop) which slightly disappears along the amazing spicy dry down. Finally a real touch of ambergris (combined with synthetic amberish patterns) provides warmth and confidence. After a touch of hesitation (usually I prefer different olfactory genres) I've decided to purchase a full bottle (in offer less than £50 unlike the regular £ 98, if I well remember, for a 100 ml bottle). Gentleman Secret possesses several Paco Rabanne XS/Dolce&Gabbana Pour Homme/Chanel Bleu/Platinum Egoiste/Givenchy Pour Homme/Joop Nightflight's liquid spicy qualities (L'Humaniste by Frapin is another juice jumping as well powerfully on mind with its intense cardamom's presence) but in here the aroma is bright, far more spicy, virile, evocative about far lands (it is indeed a freshly eastern concoction with hints of oriental mystery and a western more fresh/casual/gym style vibe), woodsier (I really perceive the woodsy resins and aromatic herbs). Along dry down it seems (in effects) an elegant patchouli, dry warm ambergris, woods (davana, cedarwood??), subtle herbal/floral notes and hints of vetiver to emerge in order to provide a seriously elegant and dreamy wake full of charm, warm spiciness and confident sensuality. Big thumbs up.
P.S: dry down, after many hours (great longevity) conjures me a lot Dolce&Gabbana Pour Homme.