Al Qurashi Blend

@tecfield you may feel bad about buying a luxurious dupe but you are 100% wrong here. Qurashi Blend is so old, that most people aren't even sure about it's date of origin, just like the exact date of the establishment of the brand itself. The Family of Abdul Samad Al Qurashi started doing the first fragrances built around Oud as early as the mid 1850s. Qurashi Blend and Blue Sapphire are built around an Oud composition. This DNA itself is as oriental as it gets. THIS IS WHY THE ORIENTAL GENRE EXISTS ! Because the orient makes perfumery so different. You really think one of the OGs of oriental oud perfumery has to copy an english hairdressers creations to make an oud fragrance ? Even the vaporizer perfume version is said to be released around 2003, some say 2006. There was even a very old picture of the 2000s versions bottle here on fragrantica until they changed it to the newer bottle a couple of years ago. Now let's talk about Boadicea. BTV is a copycat niche brand established in London by an english hairdresser named Michael Boadi, in 2003, that's the rumored and probably even wrong date of the qurashi blend fragrance. Blue Sapphire came out in 2013 and is just like a lot of other BTV (Consort and Champion - Aventus/Hacivat, Ardent - Noir de Noir, Bodacious - Lost Cherry, Amethyst - Oajan) a creation built around an existing successful composition, just with a twist. They are even copying stuff from parfums de marly which is a reactionary niche brand itself. BTV have their own creations but most of their successful fragrances are fancy packaged dupes with good ingredients (quality is definitely there). You need to 1. get your facts right and 2. put some respect on the originals names. Just because you payed 700-800 bucks on an overpriced product doesn't mean it's the original mate. You got fooled but at least don't spread misinformation if you have absolutely zero evidence for your claims.

This is out of this world, a real statement. Not for shy people, nor for people that doesn’t feel comfortable being smelled before seen either. It’s opulent, rich, elegant and very oriental for western or untrained noses. High quality ingredients, complex and hard to describe because the blending is just perfectly done. It’s bright but thick, it’s oudy (but not animalic to my nose) but not offensively oudy. It’s loud and powerful, and it dances with you, very attractive, like there is a light pointing at you every time you wear it. It’s 98% exactly like Blue Sapphire to my nose, specially in the dry down. Fruity, citrusy floral, spicy and Woody made to perfection, and a bit less sweet than Blue Sapphire (which I prefer) This is class, elegance and wealth, perfect for any occasion (day, night, date, events...) but only formal ones. A perfume for people with a lot of personality and good taste, perfectly unisex (I would die to smell this on a man), a 10/10.

This is a masterpiece. I don't say that lightly. I hated it at first, I thought the citrus element was too strong and sharp. But kept trying it, I thought "there is no way this many people think so highly of it and after one application I have come to a decision." It is addictive, easily has jumped to being one of my favorite fragrances. Gorgeous. I just wish it lasted a bit longer, I don't think it needs anymore oud (although I would be interested to smell what that would be like, and I also don't think there is much oud in here and I doubt it is natural, could be wrong, can someone dig one this one...). Now I want to see what Blue Sapphire is like, because they could have done this DNA better, its possible. But jeez, man oh man, I am in love with this and will buy (and probably need very soon) another bottle when this is done.

This is based just on one test-I got a sample set and there was only just enough for one application and I found it difficult to sort out the notes. Initially, there was a strong medicinal-herbal note together with spice. I found clove and a star anise note. This settled very quickly to sandalwood and oud. Unusually, the citrus came in late rather than early. After about an hour it smoothed out to a lovely woody powder note. There was no floral really and no sweetness. It lasted about 4 hours (worn on a warm but misty day) and sillage was moderate. To me, this was a mature, worldly and rather erotic fragrance, and very definitely unisex. I loved this, but it would be very difficult to wear I think as its such a distinct and unusual fragrance.

I confirm that this blend is repackaged and you can find also a "special "edition" in production. I have the Special Edition and...Omg this is like heaven. A perfect balance between sweetness, woodiness and spiciness with a touch of citrus note.It's pretty complex and very well blended so it's a little bit difficult to catch all the notes but the result is truly amazing. I agree that this perfume has the same vibe as Safari Extreme but with less florals notes. Very similar indeed but not identical of course. It reminds me also a little bit of tuscan leather. Very sesunal fragrance. In my opnion it's more on the masculine side but, of course, this is subjective. Strong persistence and projection. A great perfume, highly recommended.