SOTD — Abyss Oud by Merve
First spray: 12:46 PM Worn: Casual, indoor → some outdoor exposure Verdict (for now): Needs another wear Notes (as listed): - Top: Cinnamon, cumin, caramel, tobacco - Mid: Vetiver, oud, benzoin - Base: Musk, amber, sandalwood Opening (0–30 min) Right off the spray, this opens warm and spiced, not loud or aggressive. Cinnamon and cumin come through immediately — the cumin is more noticeable up close on skin, but much softer in the air. There’s a subtle sweetness hovering in the background, but it’s restrained — not dessert-like caramel, more of a suggestion of sweetness. At this stage, it reads oriental-leaning, smooth, and surprisingly approachable. Early Development (~40 min) By around 40 minutes, the cumin settles and the opening sharpness smooths out. I start picking up a slight sour/tart edge, not funky or animalic — more like the interplay between cumin, cinnamon, and caramel. Still no overt oud yet, which suggests we’re firmly in the top transitioning into the mid. Mid Phase (~3 hrs) Around the 3-hour mark, the fragrance dries down into a dry, woody profile. I’m getting clear vetiver — pencil shavings, dry wood, very linear. The oud never becomes loud or funky; if it’s there, it’s playing a supporting, structural role, not a featured one. Sweetness and creaminess are largely gone at this point. Drydown / End (~5+ hrs) By the end of the wear, the scent fades fairly quickly on my skin. No strong amber warmth, no plush sandalwood creaminess. It finishes dry, woody, and subtle, then disappears. Overall: This is a well-behaved, spice-forward oriental with a dry woody backbone. Nothing offensive, nothing groundbreaking. For now, it feels like a fragrance that needs different weather or a second wear to fully click.