Al Shams Special Edition

Dahn Oudh Al Shams Special Edition is my first introduction into Ajmal's famed repute that has garnered secretive, noteworthy fame among fragrance enthusiasts. Our Middle Eastern and Indian friends speak of the house's offerings–excellent attars, a few poorly formulated alcohol-based fragrances, some entirely economic clones, a select number of potent, Arabic-styled perfumery gems. The perfume I'm reviewing falls into the latter category. Purchased on Ebay from an Omani seller for a hefty sum of 140 dollars for 30ml, Dahn Oudh Al Shams Special Edition is an oud affair of the petrol, oak barrel variety. While reviews on other sites either exult or shrink from its supposed barnyard quality, I don't get much funk. It's neither fecal nor cheesy nor fermented. Brand new tires and alcohol fill the nose upon first spray and hang in the air with a kind of density only equaled by rich, resinous, amber-y orientals. To my delight, instead of vanilla's pedestrianism or sandalwood's familiarity, a primordial concoction of wood rot, fossil fuels, and marshland give the sensation that I've just atomized an attar.

Lovers of Hindi oud, rejoice!! This is LEGIT. Perfectly formulated and beast mode performance. I opened my bottle and applied one spray to a test strip, which was of course stunning. I left the room for about half an hour and when I came back, the fragrance of a regal Hindi oud had filled the room. This is no joke, worth every penny and though it is most likely synthetic it is masterfully blended, basically identical to the real thing. I have this as well as the standard edition, and both are excellent and smell basically the same-- this one is noticeably stronger, but the notes are almost identical. This is very similar also to Rania J Oud Assam, which is actually maybe even more barnyard than this one. How I wish Western sensibilities would catch up with authentic oud fragrances, because though I love all of these, I am not sure I should risk wearing them in public. Some will love it, many will hate it, but if you know, you know.

Heaven in a Barn. This is my first review, reserved for my favorite fragrance. This potency of Oud is not for everyone - not strait out of the bottle anyway (which is lovely btw, and matches the personality of the perfume). Personally, I love that potent, fecal, inside-the-folds-of-skin in a forest scent. But the dry down alleviates the potency that repels those not initiated and becomes something so natural that after 2 or 3 hours, I can't even smell it without ramming my nose into the folds of my elbow or wrist. Other's can, and they either compliment me for 'smelling exotic' or avoid me altogether. A day later, I'll get a whiff of it here and there - even after a shower. I've lived in the Middle East and smelled my share of real ouds that I can't afford. This, I must say, though synthetic, is close second.

This is extraordinary astonishing jaguar cat pisse.. sorry there is no other word here , but it is really that wild! You think you are in the jungle and suddenly one of that big gorgeous cats would spring in sight and leaves in the same eyeblink, and all it has left was a waft of.. .hmm aoud and in its purest purest form. It is for sure a great oriental, but be cautious! ONe spritz is everlasting!! The top note is nearly unbearable for me but if you first put on a little oriental rose oil on your skin and then a tiny tiny bit of that special perfume I guarantee you that nobody smells like you! It s undiscribable.. speechless. Do I love it? Finally after 2 hours or so:YES.. If you give it the time and you LOVE AOUD then you must simply try this one!!

At first, I disliked the smell of real oud, I was accustomed to designer "oud" fragrances only. It has been quite the journey but now I can finally appreciate a beauty like this. This is a strong classic Hindi Oud fragrance, opens with a classic real oud smell, very potent. It starts to dry down quickly, which the scent profile is linear, within minutes you can get your nose right into it and start to detect the nuances. It is animalic, barnyardy, faecal, animalistic or as my son said, "it smells like a farm!". In the dry down it smells smoky, dirty, and dark. I enjoy it on its own, but this would not be out of place to add some sweetness by layering it with something like Arabian Oud Al Fareed or Montale Arabians Tonka. For oud lovers.