The Boozy Powerhouse: Confident Oud by Hugo Boss
Gentlemen, following up on my last post about "The Collection"—let’s talk about the one that really surprised me: Confident Oud. The official breakdown claims only two notes: Bran and Agarwood (Oud). Personally, I’m calling BS on that. There is way more going on here. To my nose, I’m definitely picking up sandalwood, pepper, and a touch of tonka bean or vanilla in the dry down. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know exactly what "real" raw oud smells like, but this doesn't resemble the typical "oud" notes found in my other fragrances if any. This is what I would call a "dry boozy" scent. It isn't syrupy or dessert-like; it’s rugged and refined. This could have been part of @Renato Carotti booze wars. • The Opening: It starts with a literal shot of whiskey neat. It’s boozy, sharp, and commanding right out of the gate. • The Mid & Dry Down: Once the initial pour settles, you get a beautiful smoky, woody accord. Think of a charred whiskey barrel with just a tiny hint of sweetness peaking through. A Tobacco Oud Alternative? Confident Oud is very reminiscent of the discontinued Tom Ford Tobacco Oud. The Difference: Where the Tom Ford has more of a cigar or incense vibe in the opening, the Boss is more about that charred barrel woodiness. It’s slightly sweeter than the TF, but only just. If you never had the chance to try Tobacco Oud, this will definitely get you there. Performance & Versatility • Longevity: Excellent, giving me 8+ hours. • Projection: Solid for the first 3 hours before staying closer to the skin. This is not for the younger crowd. The booziness here isn't like Angels' Share—the sweetness is almost non-existent. This is definitely for the 30+ crowd. This is a versatile heavy-hitter. You can dress it up for a high-end dinner or dress it down for a night at the cigar lounge. Let me know your thoughts or if any of you have had a chance to get your nose on this one!