Dubai - Abraj Nabeel

Cardamom explodes immediately, sharp and almost numbing, accompanied by saffron's earthy warmth and a peppery bite that makes your eyes water slightly. The bergamot and pine refuse to soften this assault, instead sharpening the edges further—this opening is unapologetically austere and demands respect rather than affection.

The spice gradually retreats as cedarwood and cypress create a dry, almost architectural landscape. Leather emerges with surprising depth, adding a skin-like warmth whilst the dual rose notes maintain the spice's presence without the initial aggression. Violet adds subtle powderiness, and the composition becomes contemplative, almost melancholic—less a fragrance about projection and more about intimate olfactory whispers.

The woody base softens considerably, with sandalwood and oud providing gentle woody sweetness rather than smoky depth. Vanilla and benzoin create a subtle gourmand undertone that feels almost apologetic after the austere opening. The fragrance becomes increasingly difficult to detect on skin, eventually fading to little more than a faint woody-spice impression—impressive in its restraint, disappointing in its brevity.