Prison Blues

Prison Blues from the Lebanese house IDEO Parfumeurs, composed by Marie Duchêne and released in 2016, is a peppery, smoky oud. People describe it as spicy and woody in equal measure; about two thirds also find it floral, and a third musky, resinous or ambery.

Black pepper and pepper open it with a sharp, dry heat, and cardamom adds a cool, aromatic spice. Geranium brings a green, minty, rosy floral tone, and rosebay willowherb a soft, slightly honeyed, meadow-like floral note that is rarely seen in perfume. Agarwood is the core, dark, smoky and faintly medicinal, with cedar giving a dry woody frame and incense a church-like smoke. Patchouli adds an earthy depth, labdanum a resinous, leathery amber, and musk a soft, lasting finish.

Prison Blues is worn by anyone. Its dark, spiced character suits autumn and winter and evening wear, and it should appeal to someone who likes oud and incense with pepper rather than sweetness.

Prison Blues — unisex fragrance by IDEO Parfumeurs (released 2016). Notes: Agarwood (Oud), Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cedar, Geranium, Incense, Labdanum, Musk, Patchouli, Pepper, Rosebay Willowherb. — Parfica open fragrance database