Let me tell you, finding a good Royal Oud clone is like finding a decent parking spot downtown on a Saturday – rare, but not impossible. I’ve been down this rabbit hole, trust me. You see, there’s tons of stuff out there claiming to be the ‘best’, but, well, let’s just say some are more “inspired by” than actual clones.
One that keeps popping up in conversations, and I’ve even seen it myself, is OUD ROYAL by Paris Corner. From what I’ve gathered, it’s supposed to be a pretty decent stab at capturing the essence of Royal Oud. Apparently, it nails that balance – you know, the oud without being *too* oud, the stuff that gets you those “you smell good” comments.
Then there’s Ministry of Oud’s Oud Royal. Now, some people are REALLY into this one, calling it a “bold clone”. Supposedly, it’s an Aromatic Fougere, which, honestly, I don’t even fully understand what that means, but it sounds fancy, right? It’s got Bergamot, Lemon, Red Berries at the top, which gives it that initial zing, and it launched in 2021, so it’s relatively new on the scene.
There’s another one mentioned somewhere there, Lomani Intense Black. I think that one’s supposed to be a very close imitation. I haven’t personally tried it though.
But here’s the thing: clones are, well, clones. They’re never *exactly* the same. Sometimes they get the opening notes right, but the dry-down is completely off. Sometimes they’re just…weak. And sometimes, let’s be real, they smell kinda cheap. You get what you pay for, usually.
Plus, fragrance is *so* subjective. What smells amazing on my skin might smell like bug spray on yours. So, you really gotta sample stuff to see what works.
Honestly, if you’re totally in love with Royal Oud, save up for the real deal. It’s an investment, sure, but if it’s *your* scent, it’s worth it. But if you’re just looking for something in the same ballpark without emptying your bank account, the clones are definitely worth exploring. Just don’t expect perfection.
