All Things Ensar Oud

[FragSyndrome]

The new Iris Ghalia formulation has its ambergris amped way up in the opening!

I just sprayed it less than 10 minute ago so it’s hard to say much more about it but I will say this, it is strong, intense, and very, very good.
I’ll do a side by side wearing tomorrow.

 

[FragSyndrome]

Here’s another photo comparison in front of a light. The lighter one is the new formulation.

My old bottle of Iris Ghalia has a huge slab of musk pod in it. Pretty happy about that - I’m sure it’ll age well.

 

[rameez1]

Here’s another photo comparison in front of a light. The lighter one is the new formulation.

My old bottle of Iris Ghalia has a huge slab of musk pod in it. Pretty happy about that - I’m sure it’ll age well.

wow thats awesome. Cant wait for mine to arrive. How's the new one anyways? This will be my first bottle as Adam said its one of his favourites.

 

[TNBLUEMIKE]

It is seriously good. I am wearing again for a second day. Very impressive. Civet castoreum dialed way down ambergris dialed way up plus some other nice tweaks not revealed. Love it.

Thanks Fragsyndrome for the comparison the pictures tell all.

 

[rameez1]

looks awesome! I should be getting my agar aura on tuesday! Have you heard about Areej's new release?

 

[FragSyndrome]

Alright, I did a side by side wearing of the two batches. Here's my comparison. I've also identified my older batch as the 01/21 batch (info provided by the person I bought it from).
I'm not so sure that the following is a very fair comparison because the 1/21 batch that I have has been aging for 4+ months but here goes:

Iris Ghalia 1/21 batch: This is a deep, dark, creamy, smooth scent with lots of complexity that is very well rounded. All of the notes flow together with no gaps in between them. This formulation feels like it has been perfected. Really strong projection in the first 2 hours and it continues to leave a trail through out the day.

Iris Ghalia 5/21 batch: The overall scent is very similar to the 1/21 batch but there are some changes. The ambergris is amped up and carries this fragrance from start to finish, it imparts a bit more sharpness than in the previous formulation. When smelling the two up close and doing a direct comparison it is clear that something is missing from this new batch - it's like the new composition has a hole in it where the smooth, deep iris and supporting notes end and the ambergris note begins - like a hole punched in the artistic canvas of the scent. This new batch is missing a noticeable amount of depth and complexity when compared to the previous formulation. But all that is only evident when doing a direct comparison. On it's own, this is an excellent fragrance with very strong performance. I cannot detect a performance difference between the two batches in my direct comparison test.

Direct comparison aside, I did wear the 5/21 batch of Iris Ghalia out yesterday and observed that when wearing it normally (not smelling your skin up close) it's projection is ever-present in my perception and does not wax and wane like the 1/21 batch does. With just a single spray on my neck, I was surrounded in its scent bubble for hours even as I drove with the roof down in my convertible and walked around outside and inside. The 1/21 formulation tended to fade from my perception and pop back in due to anosmia.

Make no mistake, I really enjoy this new Iris Ghalia; it's a joy to wear but in comparison to it, the previous formulation feels very special; so much so that I have no idea why Ensar changed it. He stated that he removed the muskrat and hyraceum. It's like he punched a hole in his masterpiece and while the new formulation is still amazing, it's very clearly "missing pieces" in it compared to the 1/21 batch. If I may make an analogy here: If you're going to recreate the Mona Lisa, why would you change the eyes!? I don't know why he did it; it's not an improvement to the composition.

This new formulation is still blind buy safe and well worth the purchase. I'm sure it'll smooth out and blend together better with age.

 

[Castingshadows]

Excellent review Fragsyndrome! You’re getting quite the knack for reviewing bro keep it up!

 

[TNBLUEMIKE]

Yes, Great review indeed! Love the new batch but perhaps wishing now I had a least got a split of the older one before it became extinct just to compare like yourself. Anyway love the ambergris so I am very happy with the purchase.
Thank you again for the nuts and bolts review excellent!

 

[Folkwinds]

Started a youtube channel...covered Ensar in my first video. I hope you folks enjoy!

https://youtu.be/GW2L9lbF4Ls

 

[FragSyndrome]

Started a youtube channel...covered Ensar in my first video. I hope you folks enjoy!

https://youtu.be/GW2L9lbF4Ls

Great video Joni! You got the 01/21 batch of Iris Ghalia right?

 

[Folkwinds]

That’s correct! My batch is from back at the beginning of the year.

 

[Scent7]

Hey everyone, could someone maybe describe the currently available Iris Ghalia for me? Anything it is remotely similar to? Also, has anybody ever tried Ambra ´92?

 

[FragSyndrome]

Hey everyone, could someone maybe describe the currently available Iris Ghalia for me? Anything it is remotely similar to? Also, has anybody ever tried Ambra ´92?

I honestly don’t know how to convey the actual scent into words. Until I bought a bottle, I’ve never smelled anything like it in my life.

Joni does a good job describing elements of the scent but I don’t think even that can be converted into an actual olfactory understanding of the scent (especially the 1/21 batch that Joni reviewed).

I’ve bought 3 EO1 formulations, Tigerlust, C&P original, Thai Tabac, Monsieur Oud, Homerous, Tibetan Musk, and Iris Ghalia (both formulations), not counting the small Ensar sample vials here. Iris Ghalia is the best that I’ve tried from Ensar followed by Tibetan Musk, Monsieur Oud, and EO1. It’s a safe blind buy.

 

[Xcaliber6685]

I honestly don’t know how to convey the actual scent into words. Until I bought a bottle, I’ve never smelled anything like it in my life.

Joni does a good job describing elements of the scent but I don’t think even that can be converted into an actual olfactory understanding of the scent (especially the 1/21 batch that Joni reviewed).

I’ve bought 3 EO1 formulations, Tigerlust, C&P original, Thai Tabac, Monsieur Oud, Homerous, Tibetan Musk, and Iris Ghalia (both formulations), not counting the small Ensar sample vials here. Iris Ghalia is the best that I’ve tried from Ensar followed by Tibetan Musk, Monsieur Oud, and EO1. It’s a safe blind buy.

The original Iris Ghalia is what drove me to pre-ordered the January batch, both of them are extremely close with the OG being slightly more animalic while the January batch has a hint more Iris, both of them are great IMO.

 

[rameez1]

Started a youtube channel...covered Ensar in my first video. I hope you folks enjoy!

https://youtu.be/GW2L9lbF4Ls

Awesome review brother!

 

[qja]

Started a youtube channel...covered Ensar in my first video. I hope you folks enjoy!

https://youtu.be/GW2L9lbF4Ls

Great review!

 

[Anosmia Amnesia]

Bullshit, explain to me your reasoning in believing that Ensar's store reviews are real and not written by him or an employee. "Beverly" doesn't own every single thing that Ensar has ever made. Like I said, I own multiple Ensar perfumes/attars, and I'm pleased, but I don't believe for a second that the reviews on his site are real.

Here’s a reason: several times over the years I’ve written to Ensar relating my impressions of ouds, and he’s excerpted parts to use as reviews. He attributes these excerpts to “Larry, USA” and that’s me. He’s sometimes asked me for my impressions but generally I’ve just been delighted, or even awed by one of his ouds, and have written to him spontaneously. I admit to sometimes using flowery prose. I deny ever having been an employee of Ensar’s, or a figment of his imagination. On other oud sites I’ve also corresponded with several other writers of Ensar’s reviews, some of whom have exchanged non-Ensar samples with me. I don’t think they’re employees or figments either.

 

[bl00drunzcold]

Here’s a reason: several times over the years I’ve written to Ensar relating my impressions of ouds, and he’s excerpted parts to use as reviews. He attributes these excerpts to “Larry, USA” and that’s me. He’s sometimes asked me for my impressions but generally I’ve just been delighted, or even awed by one of his ouds, and have written to him spontaneously. I admit to sometimes using flowery prose. I deny ever having been an employee of Ensar’s, or a figment of his imagination. I’ve also corresponded with several other writers of Ensar’s reviews, on other oud sites, some of whom have exchanged non-Ensar samples with me. I don’t think they’re employees or figments either.

This is correct. Several of the review excerpts are from people that have posted their thoughts and reviews on the Facebook group page and I know a couple of them aren't Ensar employees because I've dealt with them on here, Reddit, and Facebook.

 

[Folkwinds]

Great review!

Thanks!

 

[Dothraki]

Does anyone have an idea of when the current sale ends? Eyeballing some Attars.