The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Louis Cardin introduced Oud Forever in 2018. The brief was specific: an oriental wood-aromatic fragrance that leads with unexpected freshness before settling into darker territory. Where many fragrances introduce their star note gradually, this one opens with greenery that announces itself with quiet confidence. The initial impression is bright and herbaceous, a green note that feels almost tangible in its clarity. This opening serves as an invitation, drawing the wearer in before the composition reveals its deeper ambitions.
The top note pairing of hemp and green notes is unusual in mainstream masculine fragrances. Rather than leading with citrus or spice, the composition starts with something herbal and unexpected, almost vegetal. This creates a tension in the heart that gradually builds as the fragrance develops. Tobacco adds a dark, slightly sweet dimension while coffee introduces roasted bitterness beneath it, keeping the heart from becoming too delicate. The base then takes over, delivering the oud that the fragrance name promises.
The evolution
The opening hour belongs to greenery. Fresh, slightly heady, the hemp note announces itself without apology. This phase surprises people expecting an immediate oud assault. Around the 30-minute mark, tobacco emerges, dark, slightly sweet, and coffee arrives beneath it, adding roasted bitterness that prevents the heart from becoming too soft. The transition is not dramatic; it is a slow handover. As the green recedes, the base begins to take over. Incense and agarwood dominate now, smoky and resinous, giving the composition a darker character. The drydown holds for hours, maintaining its presence close to the skin.
Cultural impact
The cannabis-hemp note in Oud Forever has sparked debate in fragrance communities, with some wearers drawing comparisons to Nasomatto's Black Afgano. The combination of oud, incense, tobacco, and coffee creates a potent combination that stands apart from more conventional masculine fragrances. These bold materials together produce something that challenges expectations and invites discussion among those who encounter it.
