I was going to hold off until they launch but I can’t, I felt myself involuntarily reaching for the ‘Add New Post’ button and my fingers started typing.

Francis Kurkdjian fragrances are something rather special to behold with my favourite scent being the Bulgarian Rose Honey delight that is Pour Le Soir.

So you can imagine how excited I was to hear about a new range of of Oud based fragrances being launched by Francis this March, and I practically exploded when I was given a set of vials to play with. There are just some things that are worth getting this excited over.

Oud Silk Mood

Definitely my favourite of the trio and this was reinforced as I received two fabulous compliments on my first day of wearing it. With Bulgarian rose, Moroccan blue chamomile and papyrus, it means business yet I feel the rose delivers a little playfulness and intrigue. I feel confident wearing this.

Oud Cashmere Mood

Like a black leather jacket, this is truly sexy; infused with Moroccan labdanum, Laoatian benzoin and vanilla. This is the oud you want your boyfriend or husband to wear and the fragrance your girlfriend or wife would adore on you. It’s cool, it’s mysterious, it’s arrogant, it’s grease lightening.

Oud Velvet Mood

Metal, machines, technology and industry are conjured up in my mind with the third of the trio comprised of Ceylanian Cinnamon, Saffron and Brazilian copahu balm. It just exudes newness. I believe this is the most accessible of the collection and a perfect introduction the the world of seriously true fragrance.

These ouds burn, twist and smoke themselves on the skin, slowly but surely blooming into a full spectrum of notes. These are not the playthings of children and adolescents but the exploits of real men. They’re warm, they’re passionate and they have soul.

I think you’re going to love these and they’ll make excellent summer fragrances, paling by comparison the weak citrus ‘summer editions’ that will inevitably ensue. They’ll be available from March at Selfridges, Liberty and Harvey Nichols.