Oud Maximus
Bortnikoff (2018)

Oud Maximus 2020, like other fragrances with the word "oud" in them, whether they are designer, niche, or artisan, unfortunately does not deliver any maximum amounts or impressions of oud. And for the steep price of this fragrance, lovers and seekers of holy grail oud scents would do better to purchase a nice quality oud oil from one of the best bang-for-your-buck vendors, Oudimentary, or even a rougher and more feral oil from Eden Botanicals.

But of course, Oud Maximus is not an oud only scent. There are tons of roses, other flowers, animal products, citrus and more. I'm just not convinced that this particular composition highlights the most interesting aspects of oud, since they're overshadowed by flowers and musk. Given all the roses that appear in Oud Maximus, I somehow still get prettier—but albeit aleatory—compositions the old fashioned Arab way by layering spritzes of rose solifores, swiping some oud, maybe adding some bakhoor burnt all over, etc.

For comparison, if you sample this fragrance and like its profile, I might suggest trying Ramon Monegal's Agar Musk. While it's true that this other fragrance is also overpriced, you'll nonetheless be saving yourself around 200 dollars and you'll get the same kind of oud-musk profile that's in Oud Maximus. In crude terms, it's a "dryer sheet" note, which in actuality I'm okay with. I just also prefer some soil, smoke, and waste in my life.

The ultimate symphonic oud for true natural oud lovers. The initial blast is intense, funky, creamy Indian Oud. All animalic facets exploded with an acidic kick from the Bergamot and sweet Orange, than tweaked with the pepper and cardamom kick. The Jasmine rushes in to hit you with an Indole and BAM, before the first 20 seconds are up, the whole thing turns itself inside out and you get all the smooth polished aspects of the floral heart: magnolia, Frangipani, several types of rose, and a squeaky clean Jasmine... then finally the woody aspects of the oud come out in the base over a carpet of fluffy deer musk and vanilla. Birch tar and civet keep things growling, even in its purring stages.

My favorite oud of the Bortnikoff like and maybe of any. A beauty. As regal and shocking as Malle's The Night but at a fraction of the price. Truly superb.

Not my cup of tea. Way too funky for my taste.