Marrakech Intense Eau de Toilette

Mmmm... I am a die-hard Aesop fan and I use their soap, skincare, etc. However I have never really fallen in love with any of their fragrances. The "Othertopias" line was almost all disappointments, and I am also not a huge fan of Tacit or Hwyl. But THIS. Oh man. The initial blast of fresh cardamom, citrus, and rose is blended so well and it has that distinctly natural "Aesop" feel, but doesn't go in the essential oil direction like some of their others *cough cough Miraceti cough cough* Some people have said that they find this frag to be basic, but I couldn't disagree more. There's a nuanced complexity to the way the spices work together to somehow stay warm, fresh, and slightly sweet at the same time. The cardamom takes on an almost cake-like feel at some points, but then i'll sniff my wrist again and it'll be rose/sandalwood/clove spiciness. In this uncomfortable transitional period between late summer and early fall when the days can be hot, cold, rainy, or dry, I tend to gravitate towards Marrakech Intense because the ever-changing nature of the scent is versatile enough that it will never feel out of place. In a way, I guess this makes MI a sort of blue fragrance...? But it's not. While I don't think this juice fits in a brown bottle, per se, if you were to ask me what color bottle I feel it should be in, I'd probably hesitate, and then say brown. Brown is a hodgepodge color mashup, but inherently it's not an ugly color. It can even be beautiful. That's the way I feel about Marrakech Intense. It's a bit of an ugly duckling as it doesn't align perfectly within one category, but it floats around and works just fine in multiple.

Aesop so far for me is a house that you should not judge its scents from the first 30-60min upon spraying. All of the scents I've tried so far (tacit, eremia, rozu, hwyl, and marrakesh) have different main players throughout the wear. Although marrakesh is the most linear of the bunch imo, it still had a tremendous transformation after the first hour of wear. Initially I really didn't like it as upon spraying I got hit with a blast of syrupy cola (similar to enigma) that was def not for me. But in the background peeking through was a little hint of what this fragrance would eventually turn into. I left the test strip on my desk and forgot about it for a few hours but once I revisited it, I couldn't take my nose away. It is very important to note that to me this isn't a cardamom fragrance as the one or LNDL are and isn't a rose fragrance in the same way ambre nuit isnt. The cardamom here is much more lively and "modern" or unique smelling compared to the other two. The rose here is similar to ambre nuit to me in the way that it isn't detectable (to my nose). There is no powdery-ness or jammy qualities that I normally associate with rose in this fragrance. Every minute marrakesh gets better and better until it eventually peters out. I've been desperately looking for a fragrance that I can wear everyday that smells clean and has depth without smelling too much of something specifically. I wanted a different direction that what most of my current collection offers. Aesop is definitely filling that void.

A cold spice, a “concrete cardamom,” if you will. It’s clean, stoic, and far more masculine than all the florals would lead you to believe. The opening is sharp, herbal, almost medicinal. The dry down is solemn and leathery, and I catch a glint of something coppery, like freshly-minted coins. It's so handsome. I don’t know what Marrakech this is imagining, though. Perhaps one viewed through the tinted glass of a leather-upholstered limo? However, it makes it a great option if you're looking for a clear, direct spice without the sugar and chaos of other cardamoms. I've had it for six years and never tired. Word to the wise: I got the traveller because I loved it so much but foolishly didn’t look up the price before getting to the register because “How much can a rollerball of perfume cost, Michael? $110 dollars?” (It costs $110). Mental Snapshot: You’re gazing over a Harkonnen-engineered Arrakeen (in this AU they are not problematic, don’t worry). The city is a tessellation of sun-bleached stone and sharp shadow, studded with step-pyramids of seamless jet marble. Your penthouse is shady, spartan, and hewn from the finest imports. “Great design choice,” You tell Feyd Rautha, joining him in the obsidian soaking tub. “It looks just like this very expensive handwash store on my home planet.” tl;dr: brutalist souk 🧱🕋

Imagine your hot BOYFRIEND, chopping up wood for a bonfire... On a chilly day, sun is setting, he looks over at you and asks "you okay?" Chugging down water, looking soooo good. "I'm almost done baby" he says... He's finally done, there's wood for about a week of bonfires. He goes to the truck, opens the back door on the drivers side and takes off his shirt, cleans his face, neck, and chest with it. Seriously? (could this get any sexier) Puts on the clean shirt you packed for him. Takes out two ULTRAS from the Yeti, hands one to you. Without realizing, you're staring at him so intensely he stops drinking his beer and asks "what?" with a big smile on his face, "nothing, I just love you" you say, and can't help but to kiss him. It’s a clean, fresh, woodsy, outdoors vibe perfume. Hunting, fishing, loving everyday. Iykyk. One of my mans favorites. For the hard working, looks hot when doing just about anything, trucker hat, boot wearing kinda guy. Very desirable, sweet but not too sweet. No prominent rose. It has the perfect amount of spice, making it warm & cozy. The INTENSE comes from the wood, but it's soft in a way that makes it sensual. Perfect for date nights. I could get away with wearing it but him wearing it is such a vibe. I love it on him. Best if worn at night. BISOUS

One of my favorite perfumes for many years. In the city, sometimes the people in stylish atmosphere have this nice aroma. When I was a student, I admired them and visited the Aesop storefront. I approached the clerk with the intention of buying this Marrakesh, but the kind clerk carefully sprayed all the perfumes in the store one by one on the mouette and gave a detailed explanation of them to me. It was a very good experience, with many high-quality scents, and it also convinced me that this Marrakech is still my favorite. When I put on Marrakech, I feel as if I am taking a deep breath in the quiet precincts of a venerable temple. And yet, there is also an atmosphere that I walk through the hustle and bustle and smoke of an exotic market at dusk. The aroma is exactly as the name suggests. The contrast between sweetness and freshness, lightness and heaviness, coolness and warmth. I love the cardamom and sandalwood elements in this perfume. Also, the spice, floral, and woody bases seem to be a balanced blend overall. The only thing I regret is the weak longevity. The Marrakech Intense is designed to last longer than the earlier Marrakech, but it still doesn't stay on the skin for very long.

When my man wears this it's like an enchanting potion that transports the senses to distant lands, where the air is thick with the aroma of spices and the promise of exhilarating adventures. He had tried this cologne a while ago but thought it wasn’t for him. But just like our relationship, the cologne surprised him later on. You could say... There was something there that wasn’t there before. A slow-burning love and scent, the spicy notes of cumin and clove, entwined with delicate floral hints of rose and jasmine, conspired to draw us together long before we could officially be together. And not just a fragrance that captivates me—it's the man who wears it. His confidence and sexiness grow with every moment, igniting a flame of passion within me that I never knew existed. Proof that not all the credit can go to a fragrance. Our love mirrors the complexity of this cologne, a harmonious blend of senses where the spicy notes intertwine with our deepest desires, creating an unforgettable melody of longing and devotion. This cologne is not just a scent—it's a symphony of emotions, a testament to the power of fragrance to evoke memories and ignite passions.

I know it is such a cliche, but yes, I bought one bottle one week before my trip to Marrakech. i was wearing it, zigzagging through the souk in medina. I felt that I was well blended into the "chaos" there. The opening is spicy, dry and warm. Cardamon is no doubt in the spotlight; besides, I also get some fresh spicy ginger, which is not listed here. Even these days whenever I wear it, it brings me right back to the chaotic yet vibrant city of Marrakech. The moment when rose comes into play, I fell in love with this perfume. Rose adds a somewhat wow-factor to the spicy dry scent. I have to admit that on paper it smells fresher than on my skin. The rose stands out more on paper. The base note is to me noticeably different when I spray it on paper and on my skin. On paper the sandalwood smells much more milky than on my skin. On the other hand, on my skin I get something slightly smoky. Either way, sandalwood brings peace and calm, reminds me of a temple or old furniture. I genuinely love this bottle, I just hope it can last longer.

Marrakech Intense instantly brought me back to the time I stayed in a Marriott apartment, where they provided Thann’s Aromatic Wood bath and body products. That warm, aromatic wood scent stayed with me, and I’ve been searching for something similar ever since. I read that the main components of Thann aromatic wood are sandalwood and cardamom, so I started digging around Fragrantica to find something in the same family. I even came across a scent called Santal Cardamome by Dominique Ropion, which sounded close to what I was looking for — but in the end, the one that truly captured the vibe I wanted was Aesop’s own Marrakech Intense. I smelled it directly in an Aesop store, and the connection was immediate: woody, spicy, warm, and comforting, just like the memory I’ve been chasing. If Aesop ever released a version with a touch of tangerine, I feel it would add a refreshing lift while keeping that beautiful warmth. Overall, Marrakech Intense is nostalgic, elegant, and incredibly atmospheric — a scent with both character and memory.

Marrakesh Intense is similar in style to L'Air du Desert Marrocain--dry and woody with aromatic spices and an ambery, incensy base. It takes me back to the days and nights I spent in the Australian Outback! The dryness of the perfume reminds me of the landscape. A beautiful, floral, aromatic, sandalwood perfume. Cardamom is intense, crisp and medicinal at first, as though you are crushing a few fresh green pods. Next I notice clove along with smooth, ambered woods. All smells like masala chai spices too. It continuously blooms on my skin. I also notice petit grain also jasmine at times. I like that this perfume is not very sweet at all. Something else I notice that is very obscure is the scent of rocks and minerals, almost like you are inside a damp cave. Sillage was very good for about 6 hours, then it became more of a skin scent, but a beautiful one that retained its complexity for 12+ hours. The sandalwood became most prominent at the drydown, smelling dark and silky-smooth. A beauty! Bought a bottle.

(Review for the EDP) I've always loved this one. Aesop is really good with sandalwood. Marrakech Intense is creamy, spicy, meditative, and somewhat cola-like. Great for any season and time of day. Rather unfortunate this lasts literally 30 minutes before, like a fart in the wind, leaving as quickly as it came. Aesop's fragrance performance leaves much to be desired in general- I equate it's performance to the visual of One-Punch Man. A shame, because they have some solid blends. I have to douse myself in it, it lasts probs like 30 mins-1hr (if you're lucky). But It's the best 30 minutes of my life; while at it's crescendo, a hot older man complemented me and a gal-pal in passing, saying we smelled incredible and wanted the name of this 'frag. I keep the bottle in my purse and am currently wearing it. I smell like the most sexy, performative, and intimidating minimalist millennial yoga studio you've ever been to somewhere in Silverlake or on Abbott Kinney- take your pick, sweets.

This was my first ever 'expensive' perfume purchase, and one of the only bottles I've repurchased once I finished it. This is a spicy, warm, but refreshing smell, which I think quite faithfully lives up to its namesake. It's not the most dynamic of smells - what you smell at first stays throughout the lifecycle of this perfume, but I love the overall smell so much that I don't mind that. I don't wear this often, but when I do I catch whiffs of this throughout the day and it immediately lifts up my mood. I agree with Jmalone84 beneath me - spicy, sweet, natural, and aromatic. It feels like it should be a winter/autumn smell, but having worn this throughout the year, there are facets to the notes that shine in different temperatures. It's definitely a nice spice for colder weather, but it's refreshing and aromatic, which makes it just as good for warmer temperatures. Really beautiful. I'll never stop buying this bottle!

Before discovering Khamrah Qahwa by Lattafa, this was hands down, the best spicy erotic fragrance to me; it kickstarts with a strong blast of spices that make you feel like walking down an arabic spice market. To me, it is a rather refreshing and crisp mix of spices that keeps you on your toes. As it dries down, you get this warm, cozy feeling that makes you want to snuggle up and get intimate with a lover. However, at this juncture, the strength of the perfume has faded off into a relatively intimate scent after the first hour of application. Definitely a date night scent to be applied AT THE DOOR of the venue. However, with the price point being SGD190 ish for 50ml, it is definitely a one-bottle-only kind of fragrance. If you are looking for something very similar but warmer, bolder, lasts longer, and sweeter at one fifth of its price for 100ml, do check out Khamrah Qahwa! (I left a review there too! :))

Ah... the beautiful Rose Cardamom ! A Berber Rose, creamy and slightly sweet and spicy. First invigorating, its freshness quickly turns into a resinous balm, with camphor petals converging towards the woodiness of its stem. It's obvious that everything happens at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. A rose growing in the heart of a riad. Neither dry nor sanded, it grows in an irrigated garden. Cardamom dominates after 5 minutes, which neutralizes the Rose, to give the perfume also a masculine and more serious label. A man could wear it, no problem. I like the slightly minty Cardamoms, which replaces the citrus in composition. It's an elitist Rose, of pine sap and wood. Neroli and Jasmin are contemplative in the blend. Neither vindictive, competitive, acrimonious, or belligerent. Mon TOP 5 Aesop: 1: Marrakech Intense 2: Eidesis 3: Above Us, Steorra 4: Ouranon 5: Eremia

I wanted a fragrance that reminded me of the scent of walking into an Aēsop store and for me, this is it. Quintessentially Aēsop. Woody, warm, incense, spice and floral without being too sweet. I feel like it’s a very unisex scent as the floral and spice is well balanced. The top notes are cardamom, like sticky chai tea that settles to creamy comforting rose and jasmine with sandalwood, with a little coniferous green underneath. The sweetness isn’t sugary or honey, it smells like blackcurrant. The dry down for me is incense. I just want to spray this all over my bedding it’s so relaxing. As much as I adore this scent I’m torn on whether to buy another bottle as the longevity and sillage is the worst I’ve ever experienced in a perfume so I can’t rate it well :( 5/10

I literally bought this because it was dirt cheap on one of my groups a few years back, and it doesn't get the love it should from me. It's insanely good -- smooth, dense, layered and ridiculously nuanced. It's cardamom without the sharp, bitter elements. It's cloves without the acrid acidity. All tied together with a smooth sandalwood -- it's heavenly. I love it. It's the best parts of the spices I just mentioned -- it doesn't smell noxious, doesn't come across as overbearing, just really smooth, refined and pleasing to the nose. Totally a job interview perfume. Easily. It doesn't stand out, doesn't demand attention, it just positively modifies everything in the room. Love it.

Even though cardamom is one of my favorite spices, I don’t always love it in fragrances because I’m sensitive to the “pickle effect”... ...but thankfully, Marrakech Intense never turns into sour pickles for me. Maybe it’s because the cardamom is playing the main character, instead of just a supporting roll? It’s like I’m smelling an actual jar of those little green pods—with rose and sandalwood softening the sharp edges. This “realism” is why the fragrance smells very “natural” to me, but it’s still harmonious in a way that an actual spice cabinet never could be. I think it’s a very well-crafted fragrance. I was pretty unimpressed with Aesop’s offerings until I tried this one.

I find it classy, intriguing, very sexy and unisex! Honestly I spray this on my boyfriend just to bury my face. The cardamom is super strong on the initial spray but mellows out on my skin. The rose is the perfect hint of sweet but not cloying, its quite a light and airy rose, and I typically dont like rose as I find it smells too mature or jammy in other scents but I love it in this. The sandalwood in this smells creamy and expensive and adds the perfect warmth. The combination of those 3 notes stand out the most to me are very well done, I honestly cant stop sniffing myself and this is one of those that just really work with my skin chemistry. I wish it lasted longer though!

This is another one I bought immediately when I smelled it, and after a few weeks, I felt like I made a wrong decision. It just felt basic, anything with clove / cinnamon spices is a very dangerous thing because so many of those scents smell cheap. A year later, I revisited it, and cannot get enough. Purchased again, and have been wearing in the day time almost every day when at home - cause it’s so comforting. Also wearing it out does get me compliments, but I start to lose the smell of this very quickly now... not sure if it fades or if it’s an anosmic thing yet. We’ll see!

Don’t expect a loud spice soukh in the medina. This evokes a night sitting by the pool of a riad, from the nearby garden the scent of jasmine and rose waft by, intensified in the cool air of the night. The sandalwood is very present, but serves more like a scaffold for everything around it. I love it for not being too generic, and not too out there to be unwearable. The underlying coolness makes it very suitable for cooler summer day as well. Longevity is fine for an edt, ~6h. Projection is average, 2-3 spays are enough for people to notice in the first 2h

There’s something about this perfume that instantly transports me to pre-pandemic days, which was the last time I really felt alive. Filled with nothing but warmth and joyousness. I’m just a walking zombie nowadays but I’m glad to have found this perfume that sparks some joy to my life. Opens with a fresh & slightly dusty cardamom scent, with a touch of soft florals (mainly rose) on the background. Then it dries down into a soapy rose-sandalwood combo that smells warm and also clean at the same time. I wanna bathe myself in this perfume.

Photorealistic whole green cardamom pods and sensual sandal wood dry own. I went into store to sniff the 4 from their original line, sprayed tacit and this on cotton rounds, rozu on my arm. I didn't make any purchase that day but on my way home in the car, I kept smelling something so green and fresh, yet spicy and sharp. Of course, it was the cotton round in my purse with this on it that crushed all other scents I was wearing/trying that day. For a scent profile so simple, this one really is surprisingly attention grabbing and unique.

Marrakech Intense became my go-to bed scent recently besides MCD Ambre Nuit and MM By the Fireplace. This perfume has a calming effect on me. Started with this beautiful sweet spices, (almost) medicinal vibe of cardamom and cloves. Then lighten up with bergamot, rose, and a little hint of jasmine and neroli before settling down into creamy sandalwood. It’s so cozy and comforting. This is love at first sniff for me. Been wearing it to bed and wake up still smelling what was left in the dry down, such a great scent to wake up to.

This is soooooo beautiful. It smells like fresh, and I mean REALLY fresh cardamom, the ones that are intensely green and powerfully aromatic. The bergamot and jasmine add a juicy kick to it, making it less cloyingly warm and more invitingly refreshing in a spicy way. I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s a very fun, happy scent, almost like the sound of laughter. You could wear this in the summer to lean into the warmth of the sun, to celebrate the heat, or in the winter to remind yourself that brighter, less frigid days exist.

Very beautiful spicy scent with well balanced florals! To be nitpicky though— there is something a bit astringent in here— even though I recognize that this is aesops typical style. There’s a quality in here that’s a bit too fizzy/vinegar like that makes me not want to wear it. Perhaps if this was a bit more base heavy than top heavy...I would’ve like to have more of an ambery quality in the base. Update: really love this, kind of addicted to its vinegary quality

My signature scent as of birthday #24. The perfume equivalent of thin cotton underwear- simple and sexy. basic? A little, but that helps its power. I have this in the travel vial because I tend to not finish bottles, and it's the perfect purse-dwelling partner to a black honey lipstick. Also perfect because it doesn't have much staying power. (Also a favorite because I get hit on a lot when I wear this, maybe because I read as a sex pest? thanks Svex)

Truly one of my absolute favorite fragrances -- dreamy mix of principally cardamom, clove, rose and wood. It garners compliments, and it's supremely relaxing, perfect to spray even for a solo night at home. The only downside - the pretty big downside - is that I think the longevity can be very short, depending on your skin chemistry. For me it really only lasts around 2-3 hours, which unfortunately means I won't be buying another bottle again.

This perfume is not only exotic it is contemporary has a modern type feel to its aroma and clean feeling despite being spicy and somewhat fruity in a sensual way. You feel comforted by the smell and most certainly a good companion during the winter months and summer too. It's definitely worth a purchase and seeing that it's made from good ingredients its a bonus too!I've grown to love this and have made a purchase several times.

this reminds me a lot of l'eau diptyque which i have smelled side by side several times. this is more ambery, animalic and doesnt have the cinnamon. it also has subtle florals and citrus notes so christmas!! warm oud-ish wood with cloves, cinnamon, and a charred orange. comforting and familiar. this does run kind of animalic on my skin which is why i ultimately won't be buying even though i was blown away by this initially.

I feel like from Aesop, Hwyl gets all the hype (which I do love too for it's cedary dry wood feel), but Marrakech is SO special. It has such an amazing realistic cardamom note, and though it's spicy, the bergamot, neroli, sandalwood and cedar keep it incredibly fresh and crisp. Is it a fresh scent though? Not it has a fresh facet, but the rose offers a beautiful sexy warmth and the spice notes keep it... spicey.

Ignored this house forever but recently got hold of a few of them. This is probably the best fragrance by the house imho, a cardamom lovers fragrance. That note mixed with the other notes especially the rose is very well done. This takes the effervescant aspects of cardamom and cloves and wraps them round wood and florals. It works really well. Love it, and prefer this to the Parfum personally.

yup. i like this one better than the oil, i must say...the cardamom and cloves are much more restrained and don't overpower the scent. the sandalwood is heavenly. can't quite tell if it's australian or mysore, but it's smooth, creamy and works well. i may or may not detect the cedar wood, but overall this scent is smooth. very like.

Instant buy at the duty free. It doesn't smell like anything else in my fragrance wardrobe. It's halfway between spicy and extremely fancy handcream (affectionate). It's not too floral and not pungent. But also it has the longevity of an umbrella made out of paper. Would love to layer this.

My favorite Aesop fragrance, but oh my god it does NOT last or project whatsoever. It's strange to me that Aesop calls this "Intense" but the performance is so poor. The scent itself is divine - spiced, almost cola-like. The sandalwood is so well blended (as a certified sandalwood hater).

signature scent, cuz it's sexy when i sweat and sexy when I don't. layers nicely with a gourmand in summer. ridiculously short lived as others have noted... close sillage which i prefer, irresistible to those who manage to catch a whiff

This is my favourite perfume of all time. I discovered it by accident and I am so glad I did. I have bought two bottles so far and it's the most unique and long lasting scent. It's super spicy but I'm really really into it.

On skin I got mainly just spices but when I sprayed on clothing, the rose was in full bloom. Good spicy fragrance on skin and a very lovely spicy rose fragrance on clothing. Definitely a love from me.

Like a warm cozy blanket. The roll on oil version projects and lasts longer than the spray but I use both. The oil one I keep in my makeup bag and the spray at my vanity. I just love it that much.

Opens very spicy and with a strong clove scent and settles to either jasmine or sandalwood 3 hours into it. I love it when its sandalwood and dislike when its jasmine.

A deep, soothing, voluptuous and very unique scent. I wear it a lot at night before sleep. A strong and amazing piece!

This was love at first smell. It smells unique, spicy, floral and it gives me a clean aesthetic person vibe.

The Parfum Concentration is to die for! It is smoother & longer-lasting than the EDT version.

Cola vibes. Spicy, sexy and uplifting. All year rounder. A must-have in my collection.

Sandalwood dominated scent sprinkled with spices.

this makes a nice sleeping scent... very calming

OVERALL impression: Spa sauna, all the way, baby! Dry. Woody. Pure. Peaceful. Good thing I like saunas. At first: I was so excited because I finally felt like I'd found a fragrance in which the cardamom note was pronounced on my skin. Sadly, the cardamom lasted all of . . . (Checks watch.) . . . oh, a minute-and-a-half. Sigh. I love cardamom but apparently my skin does not. So my first impression was very fresh/citrus-y and spicy. For me the spice was mostly cardamom and I did not smell the cloves. On my skin the citrus was very fresh and green--less like the bergamot and petitgrain mentioned in the notes and more like . . well, lime. Then, almost immediately: TA DAAAA! Cedar time!! (Hence, the sauna vibe.) As mentioned above, the spices died away very quickly for me. The citrus-y element persisted but only very faintly. Sandalwood appeared and joined the Ta Daaa Cedar and enhanced the overall woody vibe. Though I see both rose and jasmine listed as middle notes, I did not smell either of these at all. The only (barely detectable) floral vibe I got was perhaps some geranium and a hint of neroli (?..). Eventually: I was left with the sandalwood, cedar, and also a bit of something vague and perfume-y, which was surprising and not at all in keeping with the initial vibe of this scent. Generally speaking, this fragrance did not last long on my skin. In sum: I liked, but did not love, it. It was a nice break from the more common sweet fragrances. I mean, I love me some sweet scents but sometimes I want something different. I dislike gender categorizations in fragrance because I'm a firm believer that anyone can and should wear anything they want. That being said, for me this leaned more unisex-to-male.

Hmmmmm ...... It is spicy and original. Opening is somehow strong, but the scent settle down soon. Some cedar and spices splash after the first spray, but don't scare and bear with it. after 5 minutes, it become all about cardamom and cloves. Later, the rose comes in and clove gets more timid. The smell of fresh and delicious cardamom forced me to buy this juice. However, I did not enjoy the dry down as much as I like the opening and mid. The performance of this fragrance is not really good on me. It last 4 to 5 hours and project maybe for 2 to 3 hours. It is versatile fragrance, and can be worn in all seasons. However, I prefer to wear it in summer. Not all people may savor it. Despite its lower average performance on me, I love it and I would like to give some spice to my daily life routine with it. I feel envy to people who get better performance from this fragrance. ------------- Update: It smells differently on me all times that I wear it. Sometimes I get only cardamon and sandalwood. It performance also varies day by day. Sometimes I get good 6-7 hours, sometimes it does last for couple of hours.

Marrakech Intense by the AUSTRALIAN NICHE HOUSE Aēsop. 🪔🍋🏺 Disclaimer: This perfume was a kind gift from the house of Aēsop. While I am not obligated to review it I find it appropriate as a fragrance lover. THE BOTTLE: minimalistic and brings to mind the syrup containers. (In a good way) The SCENT: Definitely of high quality. THE OPENING: It is exactly what we imagine: extremely oriental; the vibe of Arabian bazaars, dry earthy, pottery, full of spices and aromatic herbs, as a Moroccan sheik would smell. The Rose note is not the protagonist, just a complementary embellishment, no pinky-girly feeling. SURPRISINGLY within minutes the fragrance takes an unexpected turn: a prominent FOUGERE/VINTAGE feel. In fact, I am shocked how similar is to AZZARO POUR HOMME (1978), Lordy and mature. (young phantom lovers keep some distance from it). Wearing: formal activities during the cool weathers and office friendly. Performance? very good. The Cons: Personally, I find it pricey compared to the size of the bottle and it can cause headache. Final advice: don’t blind buy if you are a mainstream lover. Rate: 🥈

The last fragrance that they had at the Aesop store that I could try was this - Marrakech Intense. The first part of the name definitely fits it, this fragrance evokes a feeling of a city next to a desert. More specifically, a souk filled with spice merchants, with an emphasis on selling these warm, yet aromatic cloves. I am not the biggest fan of this spice, but it is interesting. Marrakech Intense settles into a creamy sandalwood base, which I like more. I appreciate what Barnabe Fillion has created, but it is not something that I would consider wearing all the time (L'Air du Desert Morocain is a better choice for me, personally). The longevity was no better than their other two offerings, even if the notes used here are less volatile. I have to say, do sample this one, it is far less blind-buy worthy than Hwyl or Tacit. P.S. The sales associate told me that there is a fragrance reveal coming in the near future, so keep an eye out.

Delicious warm dry spice mix, though to me the opening is at least 75% juicy fresh ginger, not even listed here. It's great, welcoming, expansive scent but performance not stellar on my skin (but then I was testing with one of those wretched wet wipes). Not as stellar as, say, Tauer L'Air du Desert Marocain - it's more basic and workmanlike than that - but that's the sort of feel you get- highly aromatic, sunlit, baking goodness. Like a pretty high-end hotel sandalwood/spice soap or lotion. Would happily wear any time but it doesn't send me running to the shops or the web to buy a FB at full retail right now. If you're a ginger nut, rush to test; if you're an Arabian spice aficionado, try it when you can; otherwise, eesh, it's not going to suddenly convert any spice-hater overnight. Very much to my taste, but nothing extraordinary.

I get straight, dry spices from this one. Very much cloves and cardamom- those really fragrant spices in your spice drawer. In Marrakech Intense, they are pretty true to form, dry and full of aroma. As it settles the wood notes come out, but the spices maintain their presence. The wood reminds me of a barn smell with hay, (minus the animal/manure smell!) but just that hay/wooden barn smell. Still, the spices keep it exotic so it lives up to its namesake. I get the smallest hint of neroli, but I believe the rest of the floral notes are really just to round out the fragrance, and keep it from being too much of one thing. I really like it, but think it's a scent for a particular occasion. It certainly has a presence, but I can't help but keep sniffing. 7.5/10