Xiang in Chinese means 'fragrant', and this oil quite simply lives up to its name. From the dipstick alone it presents a sweet, floral, honeyed aroma that is so immediately welcoming that visitors invariably ask what it is before we have explained. On the skin, the composition resolves into a smooth, full-bodied blend that is hard to better. Imagine a soft musk paste dipped in honey, then dressed with propolis and a layer of fresh florals. The result is rich, gourmand, and deeply rounded — the kind of composition that would convert a sceptic in a single wear. We sometimes joke that if all oud oils smelled like Xiang — if this were the archetype that the wider public associated with the word 'oud' — the material would have a far greater following than it currently does. The barriers to entry would simply not exist. There is nothing here to put a new wearer off; there is everything here to draw them in. Xiang is approachable, absolutely. But it is also among the most pleasant oils we have ever encountered, and saying so does not feel like overstatement. A superb introduction to Chinese oud, and a quiet showpiece for anyone who already knows the genre. Guangdong, China, 2022 Available in a 2.5g bottle
