Elevated Oud by Zara

An exquisite fragrance, unfortunately discontinued… a tremendous masterpiece that Alberto Morillas has created with this line.

I’m not sure if it has macerated enough, but this lasts forever with a spectacular wood and praline scent; over 10 hours and on clothes for several days. A true masterpiece by master Morillas.

It’s a perfume that may not please at first, but that doesn’t take away from its magnificence; it’s a perfume in every sense of the word, it evolves well, the dry-down is excellent, it projects, it lasts, and it’s liked. The patchouli makes it complex but at the same time charming and not too easy to grab.

The best Zara perfume. Fortunately, I could buy a pack of four bottles when the price dropped, knowing it looked like it wouldn’t last long in the sale. What a pity that no more perfumes like this are released.

The comparison with Gucci Guilty Absolute has no foundation. I compared them side by side and GGA is complex and challenging (in fact, I tested it with my family and everyone preferred the Zara scent over Gucci’s). Elevated Oud is much sweeter and less challenging; in my opinion, quite versatile in cold climates, suitable for both office and formal events or dates. It seems a pity they’re pulling it, so if you have the opportunity, take one before it runs out to enjoy it at least once. Perfumón!

First of all, nothing like Oud for Greatness; I smell no oud (perhaps a faint trace) and no sweetness. Secondly, it has much in common with Gucci Guilty Absolute and No Limits by Philipp Plein: it’s mainly leather (though not listed in the notes), but with very prominent citrus. The dry-down is strong leather that fades to give way to those surprising citrus notes (I expected something sweeter and woodier). These last a long time alongside the leather base, which becomes dominant until the final dry-down. It evolves from leather-citrus to leather-base-leather. To me, it resembles No Limits more than Guilty, but with those citrus notes taking centre stage, it distances itself from both and results in something original, although they didn’t invent the scent. Longevity and projection are just right straight out of the box; we’ll see how it holds up over time. For its price, it’s an interesting gamble from Zara.

If a tree could poo, it would smell like this. Anecdote: it’s irresistible to dogs, no joke, perhaps because of the woody scent? Everyone approaches and looks at me with desire. I’ve received looks from girls, I don’t know if of approval or disapproval. I asked trusted women and they told me it smells like powdery wood. There have been no compliments or complaints. Obviously it’s not to my taste. Try before buying if your taste is the same as mine. And if you do buy, watch out for the canines, in case they use you to mark territory.

If a tree could defecate, it would smell like this. Anecdote: it’s irresistible to dogs, no joke, perhaps due to the woody scent. Everyone approaches me and looks at me with desire. I’ve received looks from girls; I don’t know if they were of pleasure or displeasure. I’ve asked trusted women and they’ve told me it smells like dusty wood to them. There have been no compliments or complaints. Obviously, it’s not to my taste. Try before buying if your taste is similar to mine. And if you buy it, watch out for the canines, in case they use you to mark their territory.

It’s quite different from what Zara usually releases and from current fashion trends. But for me, being different doesn’t mean being good (at least in this case). I’ve tested it several times and it’s very difficult for my nose, so it’s unlikely others will appreciate it when they perceive it. The opening and heart have a note, presumably the oud, which I dislike quite a bit. Then, in the final dry-down, it leaves a rather pleasant aroma. A pity it’s not to my liking because it has excellent performance and notable longevity. You can tell there’s a good fixative.

Possibly the best perfume from Zara. Their fragrances always have good aromas but poor performance, bordering on terrible; see the case of ‘Vibrant Leather’, with an extraordinary scent but lasting less than a news broadcast and a meagre trail. Elevated Oud is something else: it elevates the Oud note through the citrus. It basically smells of Oud and citrus, but the amazing thing is that it lasts, performs, and projects much more than any other from Zara. With Alberto Morillas as the perfumer, I didn’t expect anything else. I repeat: possibly the best perfume from Zara.

Alberto Morillas takes his well-known base used in perfumes such as Gucci Guilty Absolute, Gucci Voice of the Snake, Kilian’s Dark Lord, Jo Malone’s Bronze Wood & Leather, Philipp Plein, Bulgari Terrae Essence, etc., and adds a citrus top note, a sweet heart without being cloying, and an amber-dusty base. I think it’s excellent; in my case it lasted more than ten hours and projected with great force at the beginning. If you like the perfumes I’ve mentioned, go for it. This composition is sold by a designer house and you won’t find it for less than €60, and if you go for niche, they’ll charge you €200 without batting an eyelid.

Perhaps it is Zara’s jewel. Their fragrances usually smell top-notch but last a mere breath, like the famous ‘Vibrant Leather’. Here the script changes: ‘Elevated Oud’ boosts the oud with citrus, and the incredible part is that it lasts and projects much more than the rest of the brand. With Alberto Morillas behind it, it couldn’t be anything else. I repeat: possibly the best from Zara.

My experience was putting it on my skin, walking around the store and seeking the shopping centre’s bathroom to wash my hand. I thought it was dreadful.

A characterful and very long-lasting Zara fragrance. I put it on at 7 p.m. in the store and the next day I could still smell it on my arm. It reminds me of Gucci Guilty Absolute, which I also own, but here the leather is less present, it’s sweeter and more wearable. I recommend not buying blindly; it’s not for everyone.

Good value for money. Firmenich exploits the Guilty Absolute accord by adding gourmand sweetness, reminiscent of No Limits or Black Tie. It has more nuances, but it’s refined, without harshness or overpowering accords. Performance isn’t bad, lasting hours without being too loud. For the price, you can’t ask for more. It’s getting good reviews, though subjectively it could become tiring.