The Sexiest Fragrance You Didn’t See Coming – Straight from The House of Oud

Written by Ally Santos

A few nights ago, something shifted. Not just another fragrance event. It was the kind of night that reminds you why scent matters, why it lingers not just on skin, but in memory.

Photos provided by the brand

The House of Oud unveiled L’Explicite in New York crafted by one of my favorite perfumers; Christian Calabro. Surrounded by faces I admire, voices I trust, and an energy you could almost touch. The evening felt intimate but electric, a private launch filled with collectors, creatives, and scent lovers who showed up dressed in curiosity.

And at the heart of it all was Andrea Casotti, nuclear engineer, a visionary, a street artist, a perfumer: a chameleon-like explorer, founder of The House of Oud. Charismatic, warm, and deeply passionate, Andrea shared stories about the making of L’Explicite, the brand’s boldness in pushing olfactory boundaries, and why this scent in particular holds a mirror up to desire.

Then came the first spray.

Banana.

But not the artificial, candied kind. This was a warm banana, soft and golden, like it had just been pulled from the oven. Folded into something richer, like banana bread, crusted at the edges, tender at the center. Familiar yet elevated. Comfort with a wink.

Andrea Casotti

Then came the peanut butter (what? peanut butter; even I was shocked) creamy, just the right amount of salty, adding depth and a touch of tension. Together, they felt indulgent but grown. Not nostalgic. Not a novelty. A gourmand with intention.

Underneath it all, warm woods, giving weight and structure. The kind of base that lets the sweetness dance without ever becoming too much. It settles, wraps around you, and somehow becomes… you.

L’Explicite teases. It’s sensual without being obvious. A scent that unfolds slowly, confidently, without needing permission.

With Andrea’s presence, the night felt even more personal, a chance to not just experience the fragrance, but understand the story behind it. A reminder that perfume, at its best, is an art form. And that risk and vulnerability are often where the magic is.

As the evening wound down, it was clear that L’Explicite had left a mark. People were talking. Reaching for another spray. Smiling as the scent changed on their skin. One that will be hard to forget. Just like the fragrance itself.