Al Shareef Oudh Dedicated Thread

[MrPod]

I'm wearing Ishraaq today. The bottles have very nice atomizers which give a nice fine mist of a spray.
Initially Ishraaq has a strong blast of incense - Clear cool lemony frankincense underpinned with spices and a slight animalic undertone. The incense stays the most prominent note for the first hour or so, and then the woods and the oud start becoming more prominent. The oud is mainly woody and resinous with a very slight skank to it. It's very well blended and I find it hard to pick out individual notes. I don't get any florals, but there is some sweetness as things progress. The dry down is a deep resinous oudy sweetness with a faint air of incense floating at the back. I like it a lot.

 

[Mak-7]

I'm wearing Ishraaq today. The bottles have very nice atomizers which give a nice fine mist of a spray.
Initially Ishraaq has a strong blast of incense - Clear cool lemony frankincense underpinned with spices and a slight animalic undertone. The incense stays the most prominent note for the first hour or so, and then the woods and the oud start becoming more prominent. The oud is mainly woody and resinous with a very slight skank to it. It's very well blended and I find it hard to pick out individual notes. I don't get any florals, but there is some sweetness as things progress. The dry down is a deep resinous oudy sweetness with a faint air of incense floating at the back. I like it a lot.

Might be my natural substitute to Dawn.
How would you compare it between ensar, AA, areej?

Thanks

 

[MrPod]

I was wearing the Night yesterday, and I felt the style was more similar to that than Ensar/AA/Areej. The ouds felt more Ensar than Areej. The blending was more polished than either

 

[Mak-7]

How is Ward and Jasmine review going BigBloke?
Mine stuff is stuck in USA

 

[SOB111]

How is Ward and Jasmine review going BigBloke?
Mine stuff is stuck in USA

Yes BigBloke - you are leaving us all in suspense...

 

[Mak-7]

I start believing that Ward and Jasmine are like Ayahuaska - one sniff and ur in different dimension. BigBloke is just gathering knowledge and review thatll be Earthshattering :thumbsup:

 

[zfx]

Wow. I will pray to the Gods of Split.

 

[bigbloke]

Sorry for the delay folks. I had a spritz of Ward the other day but only made very brief notes. I tried it again today and have made detailed notes:

Al Shareef Oudh: Ward

Nice hit of Rose in the opening, sweet and rich. Not very green or sharp in itself. Any sharpness in the scent is from the saffron. Slightly earthy = patchouli.

Saffron and sandalwood are very noticeable and provide an addictive sweetness, not gourmand.
If you’ve tried Shalini Jardin Nocturne, this has that sort of feel.

Not sure what Shamamah smells like but there is something a tiny big pungent and resinous (like a traditionally done Cambodi oud), not off putting at all. Just forming the backbone to the scent.

Lots of sandalwood, gives it that nice oomph of woodiness.
After a short while I’m picking up some spices, the faintest of mango pickle notes. Perhaps this is what the oriental amber resin is.

A little bit later I’m picking up smoke. Also something along the lines of myrrh and frankincense - something a little bit menthol and cool.

Blending, as mentioned by another member, is different to that of the other artisans who offer sprays. Ensar’s blending for Tibetan Musk was different to the previous EO parfums, and much smoother. Ward falls into this category.

The notes do mention musk, not something I’m picking with ease. To be honest, given everything else that is going on in the scent, it’s difficult to know what I’m looking for (I’ve got Siberian musk in sandalwood, and Tibetan musk grains as a reference).

This developed quite quick on my skin. Starts off very bright, and energetic. Transitions to a darker, spicier scent.
Quite a complex scent, but not challenging. By the time I’m at the drydown I totally get what Al Shareef meant by saying that you wouldn’t describe this as a rose scent.
It’s very nice, and I’m not disappointed with the blind buy.
Haven’t given it a full wearing yet so can’t comment much on performance, aside from that it does sit quite close to the skin (based off a spritz on my hand).

 

[Mak-7]

Thank you thank you

Seems that first 2 are pretty good perfumes in themselves.

Who can chip in to the smell of Jasmin?

 

[bigbloke]

Will do Jasmine tomorrow.

- - - Updated - - -

Jasmine


Opens with a fresh, slightly green Jasmine, a little sweet.
A grassy note pops up for a bit.
Saffron, sandalwood and orris give it a classy, rich, expensive feel.
This is not a jasmine soliflore.

As the scent develops the jasmine becomes a little bit more dominant. The Jasmine is not indolic or overly sweet. It is not sickly either.

The mid/drydown is where this really shines. Picking up quite a bit of sandalwood, and it’s a really nice blend with the orris and jasmine. Comes across a little dry, buttery if that makes sense. The greener element of the jasmine works very well here.

For my tastes, at this point I do prefer Jasmine more than Ward. It’s very nice.

I’m anticipating the perfumes to become more powerful over time, as has been the case with every other artisan, as naturals are being used.

These are early thoughts. So far neither Ward or Jasmine have been challenging. Both are easy to like. I will revisit both after a couple of months to see how they have developed.

 

[Mak-7]

I got my pack and wore Ward earlier.
According to press release - we might not have said its rose perfume if he didnt tell us. I disagree with that.
It is a very delicate, high quality rose. Rose is red, and when you inhale it, its so soft as if you are touching a petal with your fingers. Very very nice.
This rose is overplayed with sandalwood that to me is infused with hoojari frankincense. Very fresh, sparkly and green.
The total effect of these 2 or 3 elements make me want to think of pink lemony taif rose.
Shamama saffron and patchouli i dont detect.
Deep into dry down, musk appears, its lightly animalic, but nothing scary.
Projection is not big, its more apparent in firat hour or 2, but then quiets down.
Materials are very natural.
Style wise - it reminded me of Agarwood assam. They had a rose sandalwood frankincense attar that i thought of, but theirs had bigger presence of Frankincense, which made perfume sharper. Another perfume family i can link this one to is Triad by Bortnikoff. His, once again, is a bit sharper due to oud, and more wattery.

Ishraaq - ishrag is strong in smell and projection from the start to finish.
I right away linked it to a combo of Cola by hendley and Agar de noir by Areej, with leather from Cuir oud padishah.
It starts with dry spices, very light sweetness accompany them as if it was honey. Soon after a bit of cedar and malaysian oud (modhesh like with slight swampiness) join party, make it even more intense and woody. Leather follows the suit.
As it goes into drydown, it becomes more sweet, but never as sweet as AdN.
I dont get any flowers, animalics are not in your face, but must be there to add depth and texture.
Very nice as well, style wise once again is similar to areej(his oriental frags). Evokes feeling of spice markets in the markets of the days long gone.
Cant say wright now its worth the premium over what areej offers.

Jasmin will wear tomorrow as Ishraaq is everpresent and attention demanding. Blocks other perfumes from shining.

 

[qja]

Any more thoughts on these?

 

[Mak-7]

Jasmine is not to my liking. To me it is similar to Rising mysore, but like extrait. Very very strong. Leather note there is something like coriander and cedar, so comes off a little harsh to me.
Initial few seconds are good, its nice jasmine, but then perfume transforms and is really masculine smelling frag.

 

[Balushi]

For those who purchased the set, would love to hear your thoughts after a few wearings.

 

[Dothraki]

Anyone try their Attars? I’m looking at Hekayat and Al Ghaliyah II. Would the style of his Attars be more similar to Ensar or Agar Aura style, or completely different than both?

 

[Balushi]

Anyone try their Attars? I’m looking at Hekayat and Al Ghaliyah II. Would the style of his Attars be more similar to Ensar or Agar Aura style, or completely different than both?

I have tried Hekayat, it is basically a Siberian Musk/Mysore Sandalwood maceration. But very well done, almost a reference for me for musk/sandalwood macerations. I get what is exactly described in the website.

 

[mixerscent]

Anyone try their Attars? I’m looking at Hekayat and Al Ghaliyah II. Would the style of his Attars be more similar to Ensar or Agar Aura style, or completely different than both?

Samarqand is stunning with rose, oudh, myrrh and musk. It's so beautifully blended and the quality of materials is undeniable as to be expected from Al Shareef.

 

[Dothraki]

Ok thanks! I prefer my Attars a little rough around the edges...blending wise. Sounds like these wouldn’t be it. They sound great nonetheless.

 

[Mak-7]

Samarquand to me is like a milky and nutty bakhlava. It is even that color in itself, sandy and muddy. It is moderately sweet and nutty for the first 2 hours, and after that stage oud starts to really poke out. And unfortunately for me oud gets way too strong ( it opens like dark wood with cedar and a bit swampy) and kills the composition for me. If he kranked that down, would be awesome otherwise.

Al lays is another one i tried and that one is very nice. Like wood, dates, sweetness, a touch of saffron, amber. Hard to dissect, but it doesnt need it to be honest, its a beautiful attar as it is. Very long lasting and projecting.

 

[strifeknot]

Luckyscent is now carrying the parfum sprays. They're all outstanding, with Ward probably being my favorite.

 

[HabibiGotIt]

I have tried Hekayat, it is basically a Siberian Musk/Mysore Sandalwood maceration. But very well done, almost a reference for me for musk/sandalwood macerations. I get what is exactly described in the website.

Hi, I have been itching to pull the trigger on Hekayat since it was released. I was never impressed with the samples of Ensar's sandalwood/musk attars that I tried and Hekayat's description really jumped off the page for me.

You said that this is almost a reference material for you. Would you wear it neat? Does it have decent longevity? My own attempts at macerating Siberian musk in sandalwood (almost two years old now) have yielded a wonderful, leathery and furry oil, but the longevity and sillage were unexpectedly very weak. Obviously Shareef is using materials that are miles beyond mine and is also aware of blending techniques used by masters, so hopefully this isn't an issue with Hekayat. Would love to hear your input.

 

[Balushi]

Hi, I have been itching to pull the trigger on Hekayat since it was released. I was never impressed with the samples of Ensar's sandalwood/musk attars that I tried and Hekayat's description really jumped off the page for me.

You said that this is almost a reference material for you. Would you wear it neat? Does it have decent longevity? My own attempts at macerating Siberian musk in sandalwood (almost two years old now) have yielded a wonderful, leathery and furry oil, but the longevity and sillage were unexpectedly very weak. Obviously Shareef is using materials that are miles beyond mine and is also aware of blending techniques used by masters, so hopefully this isn't an issue with Hekayat. Would love to hear your input.

Hi there,

Yes I would wear it neat. It does not feel animalic, spicy or leathery, but sweet, chocolatey, slightly furry with pear like fruity note. My own macerations are much more animalic. I don't know if you have tried his sandalwood but it is used here and it is one of the best that I have experienced. The longevity was just okay though.

 

[strifeknot]

A new parfum coming soon. It sounds fantastic.

alshareefoudh
QUBRUS - قُبرُس - Cyprus - Chypre one of the most classic perfume genres of the 20th Century.

In 1917 Francois Coty's feminine Chypre was so influential that it inspired many descendants, becoming the progenitor of a whole family of related fragrances. What connected the family members in this genre was the citrus top notes, a middle centered on Labdanum and a set of basenotes derived from Oakmoss. This is the modern history.

What is intriguing is that Chypre fragrances in other forms had been known for centuries prior and Arab and Greek heritage had much to do with that. Arab presence on the Island dates back to the 3rd Khalif Uthman Ibn Afan 649, and there after the Umayyads made the Island flourish. The Umayyads are the same dynasty behind the famous fragrance Al Ghaliyah. The arrival of the Umayyads and after them the Ottomans to the Island brought with them many alchemy advancements from the skills of distillation to compositions. Many of the ingredients we find in the Chypre genre were introduced by the Umayyads and Ottomans. As such this genre dates back long before 1917.

QUBRUS is the classical Arabic name for the Island spelt with the س rather than the modern day Arabic spelling with a ص. We have taken this composition back to its historic roots, when the Island was a harmonious place for all Cypriots and they lived freely across the whole Island benefiting from all her beauty and splendour.

 

[naylor]

A new parfum coming soon. It sounds fantastic.

I noticed that too ... looks like a nice chypre composition. I have high hopes for it, after thoroughly enjoying the first series of perfumes.

 

[Mak-7]

This baby is live at $395, who ordered? Who is going for decant only?

 

[strifeknot]

I'm definitely getting a bottle. It sounds even better than his previous parfums, and it costs $100 less.

 

[Mak-7]

I'm definitely getting a bottle. It sounds even better than his previous parfums, and it costs $100 less.

His Ishraaq aged beautifully. Some sharpness that i perceived originally is gone, and its an 3xcellent scent. Ward is still sitting in my mind, would love to know how that one transformed if any.

 

[naylor]

I'm eyeing this one too. I'm debating on ordering a bottle now, or waiting for it to land state-side and avoid the international shipping. Have they given any indication as to when LS or SE will get it in?

 

[Castingshadows]

His Ishraaq aged beautifully. Some sharpness that i perceived originally is gone, and its an 3xcellent scent. Ward is still sitting in my mind, would love to know how that one transformed if any.

Does Ishraaq have any cigar vibes at all?

 

[Mak-7]

Does Ishraaq have any cigar vibes at all?

To me - no. The vibe i get from ishraaq is dark brown, aged, wallnut beams in the old market. Some spices to keep things interested and minimal animal touch.
Maybe i need to buy some good cigars to smell them, but it doesnt have tobacco in my regular understanding.

 

[naylor]

Does Ishraaq have any cigar vibes at all?

I get a ton of spices, some musk and oud, and also a dry, smoky tobacco vibe. It's not the most prominent tobacco accord, but it's what I attribute the smokiness to personally.

 

[Mak-7]

Anyone received their order?

 

[bigbloke]

Yes. Haven't tried it yet. Received it yesterday, letting it sit for a day. Trying it tonight.

 

[Mak-7]

Yes. Haven't tried it yet. Received it yesterday, letting it sit for a day. Trying it tonight.

So?.......

 

[bigbloke]

Opening is green, reminds me of some incense, a touch sweet.
The frankincense is done just right for me, not too much, but easy to pick up.
Musk is quite noticeable, if you know what you are looking for, it’s not too much of an animalic punch, just very pleasant, adding some serious depth to the composition. Lots of oakmoss.
I don’t find the opening an overly bright one, I think the patchouli helps it retain a serious/broody tone.
I’m finding it difficult to pick the oud region, seems Malaysian.
Overall, it's lovely, I can see it changing over time (as with a lot of predominantly/all natural perfumes). I find it to be a very classical, masculine scent.

I'm interested to see how others find it

 

[Mak-7]

So socks are still on your feet? Nothing was blown away?

 

[bigbloke]

I didn't have my socks on when trying Not much blows me away nowadays.

It's a solid offering, better than a lot of other recent artisanal perfumes I've tried recently. For the style it is aiming at, it's spot on. I'm keeping it. If looking for an oudy chypre, that isn't boring, this is it.

 

[naylor]

Opening is green, reminds me of some incense, a touch sweet.
The frankincense is done just right for me, not too much, but easy to pick up.
Musk is quite noticeable, if you know what you are looking for, it’s not too much of an animalic punch, just very pleasant, adding some serious depth to the composition. Lots of oakmoss.
I don’t find the opening an overly bright one, I think the patchouli helps it retain a serious/broody tone.
I’m finding it difficult to pick the oud region, seems Malaysian.
Overall, it's lovely, I can see it changing over time (as with a lot of predominantly/all natural perfumes). I find it to be a very classical, masculine scent.

I'm interested to see how others find it

That sounds like a winner to me. I'll be picking one up.

 

[Mak-7]

Any other thoughts in Qubrus?

 

[strifeknot]

Still not available from US vendors. I'm getting antsy.