Pastel Oud

Pastel Oud by the Italian house The Merchant of Venice, released in 2024 and composed by Jordi Fernández, is a softened woody oud with floral and herbal touches. Everyone who describes it calls it woody; about half also find it floral, and a minority notice gourmand, aromatic or leather sides.

Plum gives the opening a dark, jammy sweetness, and rosemary with mugwort adds a bitter, herbal, slightly camphorous freshness that keeps it from being heavy. Freesia and ylang-ylang form a light floral heart, the freesia peppery and clean, the ylang creamy. Agarwood sits underneath, present but gentler than usual, with guaiac wood adding a smoky sweetness, vetiver a dry earthiness, and leather a smooth, supple warmth in the drydown.

Pastel Oud is worn by anyone. Its lighter touch suits spring and autumn and works for both day and evening, and it will appeal to someone curious about oud who finds most examples too dense or too dark.

Pastel Oud — unisex fragrance by The Merchant of Venice (released 2024). Notes: Agarwood (Oud), Freesia, Guaiac Wood, Leather, Mugwort, Oud, Plum, Rosemary, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Ylang-Ylang. — Parfica open fragrance database