Seeking suggestions for the best quality (yet affordable) Middle Eastern Houses/Fragrances

[SixCats]

Hi all,

If any Basenoters own a "Gem" of a "Middle Eastern" (especially Oud) spray Parfum/Fragrance, I'd love to hear your thoughts/opinion about your favorite(s).
I'd especially like to know which "Middle Eastern" House(s) are held in high esteem and considered (known) for producing the best quality Fragrances (at a reasonable price).

I wish to start building a small collection of quality "Middle Eastern" (yet affordable) Parfum/Fragrances.
Presently, I believe I have only one Middle Eastern Parfum (which I very much like). I only wish this Parfum had more longevity.

I already have a very nice collection of "Attars" (which I need to wear more often) however, on the whole, I prefer to "spray" on my Fragrances.

Ooh, that one Middle Eastern (spray Fragrance) I own is: Rasasi Dhanal Oudh Nashwah Eau de Parfum spray. Loving it!
Thank you in advance for any recommendations/suggestions you many offer. Ooh, of course (for yours truly SixCats!) the more Oudy/Animalic/Skanky the Parfum the better.

SixCats! aka Tom in Maine

 

[eisho]

The first one that comes to my mind is Maison Anthony Marmin. I tried most of their attars, they are pretty good quality and affordable. If you're looking for "animalic" ones I recommend Oud Assam and Oud Al Fares.

 

[The Bark]

Hey Six, if you want skanky, animalistic, try Al Haramain's Imperial Oud and Obsessive Oudh. Obsessive can be found for very reasonable prices now on Jomashop, for maybe $69, which is unbelievable for such a fragrance using a high degree of natural oud. It's got all the funk you need on top but becomes very ethereal ambery and incense. Imperial Oud isn't quite as good and I don't know how much actual oud is in it, but it's definitely animalistic with lots of myrrh in the base.

 

[maksidrom]

Lattafa (and its numerous subsidiaries) is a UAE brand that is pretty popular and much hyped at the moment and has the right combination of price and quality, especially by current standards. There's a fair number of clones and "inspired by" releases, but the main brand seems to focus more on original product that is representative of the "middle eastern" fragrance trend. My personal favourite is Raghba Wood Intense which typically sells for around $20.

 

[ihxb01]

Although I’m not sure about availability or price for you, but this brand form Oman, Al-Jazeera Perfumes, employs such perfumers as Cresp, Lorson, Bisch, Ropion, Sieuzac, Almarac and Rasquinet for its recent creations. Sounds interesting and promising.

 

[SixCats]

The first one that comes to my mind is Maison Anthony Marmin. I tried most of their attars, they are pretty good quality and affordable. If you're looking for "animalic" ones I recommend Oud Assam and Oud Al Fares.

Thank you eisho for your recommendations. I do in fact (per above) own several "Attars" (at least of which) half a dozen are Maison Anthony Marmin" which I very much enjoy. Lucky for me, I purchased these "Attars" a very long time ago and the pricing was a LOT less expensive. I bought THE most strong "Attars" at the time and I'm lucky to have them in my collection. Thanks again eisho.

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

Hey hey The Bark! I hope all's well with you Sir. Thank you for your recommendation of Al Haramain's "Imperial Oud". I will for sure be check this one out!

Regards,
SixCats! aka Tom in Maine

Hey Six, if you want skanky, animalistic, try Al Haramain's Imperial Oud and Obsessive Oudh. Obsessive can be found for very reasonable prices now on Jomashop, for maybe $69, which is unbelievable for such a fragrance using a high degree of natural oud. It's got all the funk you need on top but becomes very ethereal ambery and incense. Imperial Oud isn't quite as good and I don't know how much actual oud is in it, but it's definitely animalistic with lots of myrrh in the base.

 

[SixCats]

Lattafa (and its numerous subsidiaries) is a UAE brand that is pretty popular and much hyped at the moment and has the right combination of price and quality, especially by current standards. There's a fair number of clones and "inspired by" releases, but the main brand seems to focus more on original product that is representative of the "middle eastern" fragrance trend. My personal favourite is Raghba Wood Intense which typically sells for around $20.

Hello maksidrom,

Thank you VERY much for the information you provided! Adding to my running list of Fragrance possible buys.

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

Although I’m not sure about availability or price for you, but this brand form Oman, Al-Jazeera Perfumes, employs such perfumers as Cresp, Lorson, Bisch, Ropion, Sieuzac, Almarac and Rasquinet for its recent creations. Sounds interesting and promising.

Thank you ihxbO1,

I will look into each suggestion! I much appreciate the information you've provided.

SixCats!

 

[Ken_Russell]

Quite a few great recommendations already, also adding especially as reasonably priced while also good quality and value for money options especially, but not exclusively to (re) test as much as possible from houses like Al Rehab, Al Aneeq, Abdul Samad al Qurashi, Kelsey Berwin, Afnan and more along these lines.
So far, deliberately avoiding more specific/detailed recommendations from each house and more inclined to suggest getting as many samples or even sample sets from each, since their output includes a varying array of bargain priced Middle Eastern style choices-from the more animalical daring to rather inoffensive, versatile, likely compliment-garnering, often trendy (possibly trendsetting) choices.

 

[hednic]

Perhaps the house of Shmeem.

 

[Bauhaus]

Al Rehab is my favorite. Here I can especially recommend Dakar and Lord. Dakar is based on Drakkar Noir and Lord on Lapidus pour Homme. However, I like the scent of the Al Rehab variants better and they have more power. In general, of all my fragrances, these are two of my favorites. Wonderful scents despite the very reasonable price. The fragrances are offered as eau de parfum or also as perfume oil. The perfume oil is applied with a roll-on. Max is also recommended by Al Rehab, a green, spicy fragrance. Reminds me of Bogart a bit in terms of style. If you like oud, there would also be Oudy. A light oud fragrance.

 

[SixCats]

Al Rehab is my favorite. Here I can especially recommend Dakar and Lord. Dakar is based on Drakkar Noir and Lord on Lapidus pour Homme. However, I like the scent of the Al Rehab variants better and they have more power. In general, of all my fragrances, these are two of my favorites. Wonderful scents despite the very reasonable price. The fragrances are offered as eau de parfum or also as perfume oil. The perfume oil is applied with a roll-on. Max is also recommended by Al Rehab, a green, spicy fragrance. Reminds me of Bogart a bit in terms of style. If you like oud, there would also be Oudy. A light oud fragrance.

Hi Bauhaus, Thank you for the recommendations. This sounds GOOD!

SixCats!

 

[thesacredsaguaro]

Al Shareef Oud has a great collection of spray perfumes worth sampling. They’re a little pricey but definitely worth it. Based out of Oman I believe. (If not I’m sure someone will be quick to correct me).

Ensar Oud is based out of Jordan (although Ensar currently lives in England) and obviously is the highest price range for perfumes but if you can afford to sample it’s worth it.

Spirit of Dubai is a great brand with excellent fragrances. Quintessential middle eastern style fragrances.

Dixit and Zak are an Indian brand. They are awesome and worth sampling. Very raw compositions but they’re incredible.

Henry Jacques is probably the pinnacle of middle eastern perfumery as they were the personal perfume house for the late Sultan Qaboos. I believe they’re based out of Europe somewhere though.

Laurent Smal is a wonderful house as well. Certainly pricey but if you can get samples or decants of the oil it’s worth it.

Sultan Pasha is a no brainer although I wouldn’t exactly consider him a middle eastern brand he definitely does middle eastern style scents better than almost anyone.

Azman Perfumes is a great middle eastern brand that gets incredible perfumers to create gulf style fragrances with a wide range of diversity. Very awesome stuff. Easily affordable too.

 

[SixCats]

Al Shareef Oud has a great collection of spray perfumes worth sampling. They’re a little pricey but definitely worth it. Based out of Oman I believe. (If not I’m sure someone will be quick to correct me).

Ensar Oud is based out of Jordan (although Ensar currently lives in England) and obviously is the highest price range for perfumes but if you can afford to sample it’s worth it.

Spirit of Dubai is a great brand with excellent fragrances. Quintessential middle eastern style fragrances.

Dixit and Zak are an Indian brand. They are awesome and worth sampling. Very raw compositions but they’re incredible.

Henry Jacques is probably the pinnacle of middle eastern perfumery as they were the personal perfume house for the late Sultan Qaboos. I believe they’re based out of Europe somewhere though.

Laurent Smal is a wonderful house as well. Certainly pricey but if you can get samples or decants of the oil it’s worth it.

Sultan Pasha is a no brainer although I wouldn’t exactly consider him a middle eastern brand he definitely does middle eastern style scents better than almost anyone.

Azman Perfumes is a great middle eastern brand that gets incredible perfumers to create gulf style fragrances with a wide range of diversity. Very awesome stuff. Easily affordable too.

Thank you thesacredsaguaro. I very much appreciate all this wonderful information! I will be checking out/researching all these Perfume Houses.

Regards,
Tom in Maine aka SixCats!

 

[milkbaby]

If you haven't tried Ajmal Dahn Oudh Al Shams or Ajmal Mukhallat Shams, I feel they are worth a shot. They can be expensive from some discounters but I have found full bottles on sale in the past for around $40-50ish.

I really like Rasasi Dhanal Oudh Nashwah too. The Ajmals that I mention above are more dirty to me but interesting in their own right.

 

[SixCats]

If you haven't tried Ajmal Dahn Oudh Al Shams or Ajmal Mukhallat Shams, I feel they are worth a shot. They can be expensive from some discounters but I have found full bottles on sale in the past for around $40-50ish.

I really like Rasasi Dhanal Oudh Nashwah too. The Ajmals that I mention above are more dirty to me but interesting in their own right.

Hi milkbaby,

Ah yes, I have Rasasi "Nashwah" and I very much like it! In fact, I plan to purchase "Oudh Jurrah" very soon. Thank you for your two other suggestions as well. I am keeping a "running list" of all these Middle Eastern Houses and their Fragrances (which can be quite overwhelming).

SixCats! aka Tom in Maine

 

[Misschronicallyfab]

As Oudh is a note that rarely smells good on me, I can't recommend actual perfumes (though the Lattafa Oud Mood and Bade'e Al Oud lines seem to be popular).

But supply a list of Houses.. thàt I can do .

Lattafa is indeed very popular, and cheap, but I have to warn you. Lattafa, like some of the other perfume houses I'll name, have become so popular in Western countries that the combination of keeping prices low and mass production has led to more and more fragrances still needing to macerate upon arrival, before they give you the scent promised and not a jumble of notes and an alcohol blast. I'll add a * to the brands that have this more often. Doesn't mean they don't have those gems you're looking for.

1.
Rasasi
Ajmal
Afnan
Maison Asrar
Al Rehab*
Armaf*
Nabeel
Ard Al Zaafaran
Arabiyat
Al Wataniah
Riifs *
Asdaaf (subsidiary Lattafa)*
Kalimat
White Oud Perfumes
Khalis
Maison Alhambra (sub Lattafa)

2.
Paris Corner (Emir line, NorthStag)
Swiss Arabian
Al Haramain
Achmed Al Maghribi (@)
Junaid (@)
Attar Collection (@)

NB @>> these houses are very expensive in my own country, but I've heard that in some others they're just as cheap as Lattafa. Or just above. Just check them out to know for sure.

NB Since "cheap" or "affordable" is quite the subjective term I have simply added all houses that could have good Oudh Fragrances, that are generally considered good to great and of which I've either heard good things (+ are on wishlist) or bought good things.
The classier houses are in the second list. Paris Corner and Rasasi could be in both perhaps. But expect higher pricing on list 2, but usually also amazing quality (the dupe/original ratio is also extremely different from, say, a Lattafa or Armaf.) Al Haramain is also known for their good Attars and for still affordable prices (I can't afford Maison Anthony Marmin, so they're a decent second . Have 4 new Attars coming my way from Germany - squeeee).

Have fun with your Middle Eastern fragrance collecting. Fair warning: they're addictive.