Does the oud in Forbidden make it smell medicinal or funky?+−
Not at all. The Thai oud used here is lean and woody, serving primarily to add depth and "heft" to the chocolate and cherry notes rather than standing out as a fermented or medicinal scent.
Is this fragrance suitable for office wear?+−
Generally, no. Forbidden is a very loud, sweet, and boozy fragrance best suited for evening wear, dates, or outdoor winter events. Its heavy sillage might be overwhelming in a professional, enclosed environment.
How prominent is the rum note?+−
The rum is most noticeable in the mid-phase of the fragrance. It provides a "boozy" warmth that prevents the cherry and chocolate from smelling like a child's snack, giving it a more mature, evening-ready character.
How does this perform compared to other Aaron Terence Hughes fragrances?+−
Forbidden is consistent with the brand's reputation for "beast mode" performance. It is much thicker and more persistent than the brand’s citrus-focused scents, rivaling his heaviest oud and amber compositions in terms of longevity.
