Almond Harmony
The House of Oud (2016)

Let's face it: THOO...the bottles are gorgeous. And historically, the fragrances and I do not seem to get along :o)

So, I recently became intrigued (once again) with mixed (and slightly gourmand) almond-centric fragrances. After completing much research online and elsewhere, I decided to buy generous sample decants of:
~1725 Casanova Histoires de Parfums
~Secret du Nil Nectar Olfactif
~Blu Indaco Giardini di Toscana
~Almond Harmony The House of Oud

And I must say, I really love all four fragrances much more than I hoped I would! I think I just love a pretty, well-blended almond accord! This is surprising to me because almond is not a note I actually thought I enjoyed (as much as I do).

Out of the four, I would have to say Almond Harmony is the most gourmand-ish and most realistic almond fragrance I sampled. But to my nose, Almond Harmony never enters full-on, almond extract gourmand territory.

So, initially, I do not favor the perfume's opening, which is a (somewhat) bitter melange of bergamot, petitgrain and almond. The opening wears extremely fresh and green on my skin, something I ordinarily do lot love.

Within 10 minutes, the loveliest, purest, almond paste note punches through. Thankfully, the strong emergence of almond note never rises to (what can be) the nauseating sweetness of an extract note. The almond accord in Almond Harmony is EXTREMELY dry, dusty and powdery. The almond smells more like almond flour, or almond meal versus almond extract. Almond Harmony is NOT a boozy, or syrupy fragrance.

Almond Harmony wears as a very powdery, dusty, arid, dry fragrance (versus a plush, bold, or wet one). Throughout its wear, the beautiful almond notes become more prominent. Mid-notes of powdery iris and dry florals (heliotrope, ylang-ylang) do emerge but do not overtake the almond notes. The tonka, balsams and musk contribute to a beautiful, comforting, warm drydown. The harmony between all the listed and detectible notes is amazing. The blending makes for a very artistic and lovely perfume.

May be full bottle worthy.