Kalemat Black

Arabian Oud Kalemat Black (aka Seher Al Kalemat) is a masterpiece IMO. Moreover, it is one of my most complimented fragrances and one of only two scents that is regularly complemented by men and women alike. Besides this fragrance smelling absolutely fan-tas-tic, it's a great performer (fills a room) that lasts a solid 18-24 hours on my skin without fail. Of course, a few fragrances snobs (I call 'em noobs and boobs) will say crap like, "it's a decent fragrance but not made of high-quality ingredients" merely because the label it doesn't say Tom Ford or Creed and come with a $300 price-tag. LOL! IMO Kalemat Black is quite possibly the best Oriental Oud fragrance I have ever put my nose on. Simply a brilliant fragrance that uses superior ingredients whether this scent agrees with you or not. Black smells similar to Kalemat when first sprayed, but within a few seconds it quickly turns into an incense-herbal scent on my skin; largely frankincense and basil, but I also detected a faint smokey-incense vibe along with a dark-woods accord...something like guaiac or blackwood if I were to venture a guess. It is very interesting and provocative. There is also a spiced-sweetness vibe happening in the background which was intriguing, and intoxicating, although I did not love it at first because there was something a bit unfamiliar about it. An initial blast of Kalemat followed by an hour of a lightly spicy-sweet incense and dry ash is what I initially get out this fragrance, and I cannot resist sniffing my wrist with every wearing. Over the next hours, Kalemat Black transitions into a wonderful vanilla-amber-oud scent on my skin, which is slightly creamy and not too sweet. Moreover, the oud is sweetened so some folks may not notice it since it blends well with the vanilla and amber. To me, this is a delicious vanilla-amber scent that's not too gourmand. Moreover, from time-to-time I even detect a faint whisper of cinnamon well into the drydown. This phase of the fragrance fools me into thinking that it sits moderately on my skin (olfactory overload?)...yet, the oud is pushing-out the scent because folks in the room will smell you without effort. So go light on the triggers, if necessary. Longevity is clearly 24+ hours on my skin...however, unlike the original Kalemat, projection is more difficult to judge with this Black flanker. However, I've worn it enough to confidently say that it projects heavily, but not quite beast mode IMO. Overall, I love this fragrance! I've wore Kalemat Black in 80-85 degree heat and, surprisingly, it wasn't the least bit cloying. Nice! While I also love the original Kalemat, I feel it is better suited for the ladies while the darker/more interesting Kalemat Black, is the perfect gentleman's fragrance for the Fall and Winter months. Moreover, while I receive plenty of compliments while wearing Kalemat, the compliments are off-the-chain when wearing Kalemat Black. For example, just the other night my gal tells me how I great I smell, the male clerk at the 7-11 tells me how great I smell, then the hostess at the restaurant tells me how great I smell, and finally our waitress tells me how great I smell. But wait!...while standing at the bar waiting for my gal to use the ladies room, a woman sitting at the bar tells me how great I smell. It's insane! I receive complements all the time while wearing my Aventus, The One, etc. but, as I mentioned, the compliment factor is off the charts. Magic of Words indeed!!!

Blind bought. I knew I was in for a treat, but nevertheless I was not prepared when the package arrived. I've had other favorite fragrances where I just indulge myself in the scent upon first sniff, but this was different. Upon taking off the cap I could smell it strongly, and at that moment all my thoughts ceased. All I could muster was a simple "wow." I was mesmerized by the beauty and quality. Unquestionably niche. There is no alcohol blast in this. The frankincense smells nothing like that dirty or ashtray kind you'd expect in most designer fragrances. This one is smoky but crisp and clean. The entire composition is so inoffensive, elegant, and delicious. It smells like a very slightly toasted and mildly sweetened wheat-based pastry from a high end bakery sprinkled with a little bit of powder and caramelized brown sugar on top. Despite being a sweet gourmand fragrance, this is completely non-cloying and wearable in the summer. Everybody around me loves it. Huge compliment-getter with extremely high projection and longevity. 2-3 sprays is probably ideal since it's so soft and airy. I bought a 250ml bottle for $140 which equates to $56/100ml, and I have no idea how they can afford to ship such high quality ingredients for such a cheap price. The only downsides this fragrance has is that it has high olfactory fatigue and is less than perfect but still not bad in high heat. Because I'm a practical man and not a collector, I both love and hate this scent as it has instantly made most of my entire fragrance collection obsolete. The versatility, quality, affordability, performance, and likability of this fragrance has me hard-pressed to find situations where this one is not ideal. I'm seriously selling and giving away most of my collection because of this. Instant new signature scent for life.

Wow is my first reaction to this, WOW! I hadn't even heard about this company until I saw a store in Istanbul. I sampled some while there and eventually bought it for dirt cheap in Saudi Arabia ($60). On initial spray you get the frankincense and basil which is OK and lasts for about 10 minutes or so, and the the middle/base notes kick in. Vanilla, Amber, and OUD! These are huge in this fragrance and you'll be smelling these notes for hours and hours. I absolutely love the blend they have of those 3 notes. Very well made fragrance. To those that say longevity and projection are just OK, you have got to be kidding me or maybe you have the wrong fragrance. I am a big fan of Dior Homme Intense which is BEAST MODE in projection/longevity. Kalemat Black has more projection and wayyy more longevity than DHI imo. This scent lasts over 24 hours on skin. I can even smell it on me after taking a shower. I sprays some on my arm which got onto my jacket sleeve and I can still smell it on the jacket after a week! I don't think this is an offensive fragrance and it is a huge compliment magnet. I don't dare to press all the way down on the sprayer, just a very light spray on the wrist and neck is all I need. The scent is listed as unisex but I personally think it's more of a masculine scent. Definitely worth buying and now is one of my favorites. Male, age 29, 10/10

I have had this for almost a month now. I must say its one of my most complimented fragrances. During this short period, the hot summer here in Bahrain, and considering the number of fragrances that I am using per week, Kalemat has given me compliments almost every-time that I have worn it. Although it would shine in cold weather but the smell is so addicting and I think it comes alive on me in the heat. This fragrance is made to perfection. The amber and incense heavy vanilla are the most prominent notes while note being too sweet or cloying . The oud also acts strongly here and the other mentioned notes are for support and adding more mystery to the composition. I have bought it on 50% discount (120 $ before discount) which Arabian Oud usually does every year for very limited time. Its a solid release which projects greatly and last for days and days. However the projection is usually around me in 2-5 feet bubble. It projects heavy within the first 4 hours and then stays for days on your cloth with mild projection. The only downside to this fragrance is the atomizer. It’s literally the worst in my whole collection. You have to press many times in order to have something out of it. Aside from that its 10/10 fragrance.

I do not yet own this. I want to! Probably one of the nicest fragrances I've ever smelled! I got an Uber one day and immediately noticed the driver's cologne. He was Arab and said he loved oud.:). He told me about Kalemat. Showed me a photo of it on his phone and let me snap a photo of it. I was mesmerized by this scent! I imagine it could be worn any time, however winter would be best. After all, it is oud! But worn lightly in warm weather, I think this could be nice. I don't know anything else that smells quite like this. Projection is amazing. I can't speak to odor life as I don't own a bottle yet. I hope to get this soon and it might end up pinned to my Signature Scent box. RATINGS: Art/Design 8/10 Cost/Quality 10/10 Sillage 10/10 Odor Life - unknown Buy again? - I don't own it yet Recommend: 10//10 Overall Love/Like/Dislike? 10/10* FINAL SCORE: 9.6 = A = Highly Distinct! ----- Rating Scale: A = High Distinction! = 9.5-10 A- = Distinct! = 9-9.4 B+ = Very Superior = 8-8.9 B = Moderately Superior = 7-7.9 B- = Superior = 6-6.9 C+ = High Average = 5-5.9 C = Average = 4-4.9 C- = Low Average = 3-3.9 D+ = Poor = 2-2.9 D = Very Poor = 1-1.9 F = Fail! = 0-1.9 * Love = 10 <--> Dislike = 0

So are we certain of the notes listed above, because Basil, and Olibanum are not listed in Arabian Oud's note discription on their site. Instead they list Patchouli Flower, Bergamot Extract, Violet, and Musk. Seems reasonable that those notes, along with Honey in a more pure form could smell like Olibanum. It also stands to reason, because that Frankincense type smell lasts all the way to the extreme dry-down, where the Oud finally stands tall. Does not make sense for that note, or notes to be a singular top note. Could also be slight of hand by the company, to not reveal their formula. FWIW, they list "a touch of Oud in the base to round everything out, which is what I get from it. I'm starting to see a trend here where if Oud is listed as a note people just intensive the hell out of it, like blinded, and hungry berserkers, thirsting for precious things. So yea, simmer a bit. ;) XOXO! This stuff is amazing. High quality, reasonable price, and near BM performance. Smells nothing like any designer fragrence you have most likely ever tried. These notes are very organic, and blended very well. If for no other reason other than to smell the real things, try it. So yea, just buy it.

Everyone I know loves سحر الكلمات (magic words) it's got just the right amount of everything going for it: sweet, smokey, even a little tart. There is a freshness and brightness to this oud fragrance that I think surprises people. It's uplifting, gives positive vibes and radiates an optimism that is hard to describe. For lovers of bakhoor/oud fragrances, I think this will be an immediate love. It shares many similarities to others in this family of fragrances, but in my opinion it is done more professionally, with more sophistication. Genuinely a real love for me, perfect for Eids and celebrations. The bottle and box are really gorgeous as well which adds to it's character. 8.5/10 Edit: I bought mine directly from the Arabian Oud store in America, however recently I tried one that was purchased from Saudi Arabia and it was totally different. The one from the Arabian Oud store in Saudi was much darker in color and darker smelling, less fresh and less bright and generally deeper. Same profile overall, same dry down, but totally different top notes.

I went to London and stopped by the Arabian Oud store on Oxford Street and found this gem. I was there to actually buy Ghroob Oil and some oud sticks. Well anyway, I smelled many perfums in the store even the (orange) Kalimat. I had just a tiny spritz of Kalemat black and then I just purchased the Ghroob and the Oud. One hour after the kalemat black spray I just had to go back to buy it, it was so amazing! The scent starts quite intense, but do not worry about this, after approximate 1 hour it turns to a creamy smoky vanilla amber scent. This fragrance has a strong personality, it is very sexy and you cant stop smelling your wrists. The price was also really nice, the weekend I visited the shop they had a quite hughe discount on many products including kalimat black. Original price at store was 100 pounds but I got it for 79. Don't spray this more than once though, it is very potent and it stays and stays, even on your clothes. This is a master piece as many says, i have never smelled anything like this, its gorgeous. 10/10

Funny thing: I've had this scent for about three years, but it has been sitting in the back of my closet. For whatever reason, I found it too strong upon initial use and it went into the way back. Until tonight. My goodness, what a nice scent. Amber, frankincense, and vanilla, this is a wonderful introduction into an Arabic Oriental without veering into "Orientalism" or a parody of Arabic scents. Very warm with excellent projection and staying power without being obnoxious. I do sense a similarity to Black Afgano, but Kalemat is a tad sweeter, lacking the deep resinous incense of BA. Both are class. Not a subtle scent--projection and longevity are pure beast--so I would dare to say you could get away with wearing this to work if you live in the Middle East like I do. Otherwise it would make a great winter or evening scent, or anytime you'd like to make a statement. Use: Office (if tolerant), evenings Season: Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer nights Projection: Oh Yeah! Longevity: Love you long timez Rating: 4/5

I get an absolutely stunning opening blast of Frankincense paired with woodiness that I assume comes from the oud/agarwood and maybe some cedar. A beautiful, clean oud/wood that makes me speechless. Soon after the amber and vanilla emerges and I find myself in fragrance heaven. I can’t remember when I fell so hard for a perfume. IMHO, much better and more balanced than the original Kalemat, which is nice but more leathery, animalic and for me more difficult to wear. After the initial stages Black Kalemat reminds me very much of Black Afgano minus the skanky notes. In the drydown they are indeed close if not dead ringer. Same caramel-ish amber and vanilla pared with oud and incense. I really like Black Afgano but I love this gem. Same longevity in both but this fellow leaves a much more present sillage. I have actually never received a compliment wearing Black Afgano, but with this every single time. I’m so happy to have found this treasure thanks to all you reviewers here on Fragrantica.

I've worn this a few times now and like a complex malt whisky or wine, you have to get to know and savour it. The opening is a familiar combination - amber and vanilla. What sets this apart is the musky, slightly sweet, aromatic base which delivers a complex and lighter experience as the scent dries down. This makes it more versatile and accessible than some ambers, more daytime, casual wearing. The performance is OK, EDT strength. EDP strength could have been a wow, as it is, closer to a like rather than a love. My bottle has a 2020 date stamp. 4/5 PS the packaging is special, like a leather bound book, but like others' experience the bottle is a bit cr@p, mine has slight leakage/residue under the cap, better for such a decent scent to also have a decent bottle and sprayer, chuck the rest. Update, the binding has separated on the book like packaging, not impressed. At least the juice is good but flattered by the 4.48 rating at the time of writing.

@ForbiddenCookie, so true. You don't even need one full spray with this stuff. I just put one on my breast plate and I'm set for hours, and part of the next day. So yea, it's a good thing the sprayer is not great. At times I feel like I only needed a half spray. I have 250mls of it as well. Yea, i should have some to leave the grandkids, lol! Pianist, your blowing your nose out, sir. I can't imagine putting thst much of this on, lol! As a matter of fact, I am leaving a second review here, because I'm back to move this from heavy to enormous. Who knows what exactly is in this, but it is wonderful. Definitely amber, and Oud. More than a touch of Oud also, which is what there site says. Kicks in an hour after sprayed, and stays all the way down. I have oils from all over the oud regions, and let me tell you this stuff has the most, and strongest real oud in any EDP I have ever smelled. This stuff is great.

Comparing this and original Kalemat side by side, I conclude that this is even better. OG Kalemat's scent seems to fade rather quickly on me--within 2 hours, into a meek skin scent. Kalemat Black (Sehr Al-Kalemat) just keeps on gifting me with this divine magic sweetness that is transcendent. It is ripe, intoxicating sweet amber vanilla goodness with some oud and musk to balance things out. It lasts and lasts and from just 1 wrist application I keep smelling this for hours. It is quite sweet, but is not gourmand. Perhaps honeyed, perhaps fruity, perhaps vanilla, but it doesn't smell like anything edible, thankfully. I despise smelling like cakes and chocolate. It is resinous and resounding. The sweetness is intense and jammy but there's enough oud and resins to balance it. Translated to "Magic of Words," I feel like a seductive sorcerer that is casting a spell on those around me just by wearing this.

Guys now that I have wore it for some time, let me tell u this is strong, distinctive and totally versatile frag. daytime with 1-2 sprays night 2-3 sprays will do. Longevity is 15+ hours easily and projection is heavy not enormous. at start it is Bakhour(arabic incense u can say; NOT at all ash like). Oud in it is a smokey one which stays throughout, embed masterfully in light vanilla. Florals are pretty light to not distinguishable. Evening dinner with black suit at fall/winter is the perfect match for it. This is among the very best of Middle Eastern perfumery. Definitely BUY! even for the package alone which has been amazingly well thought and done. Sehr Kalemat means "Magic of Words" in Arabic and the scent itself comes in a book case.

Performance on Kalemat Black is so NUCLEAR that I am getting worried about Arabian Oud company offices in London getting raided by the MI6 !!! HAHAHAHA :D :D :D On a more serious note (no pun intended :P), Kalemat Black really takes that sweet, ambery vibe present in the original Kalemat and intensifies it with the Oud. The typical dark, bitter opening is still there just like in the original. Once that dissipates you will be greeted with a very wearable cold weather sweet vanilla/oud fragrance which is "western" enough not to offend anybody even the relatively inexperienced noses. Also- I cannot overstate how important it is to use no more than 2 sprays with this fragrance. Spray more than twice and you will evacuate the room! :)

This is the one frag I am trying to avoid to buy full bottle not because it's expensive (Arabian Oud holds 50 to 70 percent sales every few months in my place) or I hate it, but because I know I will end up being 'that assh0le' that will suffocate everyone within a few meters around me 365 days a year (thanks to a friend lending me a few spritzes, he introduced me to this). Not as sweet as the OG Kalemat and a bit more fresh( I have a better OG Kalemat dupe that works for me in Masha'er by Oud Elite) but still near atomic in sillage and performance (2 sprays have 14+ hours of room-filling performance on my skin). I had to content myself with SJP Stash on regular days and spritz this when I need big guns.

Okay firstly as usual I'm not one to hype up a fragrance I'll always just give it to you straight, that being said this is honestly the most nuclear fragrance I have tested. I'm sitting here 26 hours later and can still smell it on my skin! I sprayed a tester strip one morning and left it in my room only to come back 6 hours later and be hit with a dense cloud that filled the whole room. Now the scent I must admit gets a bit too dark and dense for me in the dry down, it's still good though especially the opening which I absolutely love! Also I don't know if anyone else feels this way but the dry down reminds me as bit of side effect. side note: This fragrance has the best atomizer I've ever used.

I think this stuff is wonderful! Very unisex. It has almost a gourmand oud type of aroma at the start, then dries down and adds a suede leather and cinnamon note to the already divine mix, even though neither of these notes are listed. When the leather and cinnamon arrive the oud then mellows and mingles with them to create a different perfume than what you started with all together and both are great! The drydown butches it up a bit, but it remains unisex and totally edible! The more I wear it, the more I'm in love. I will have a full bottle of this in the near future! I already own and love the original Kalemat and now Arabian Oud has done it again IMHO.

Sehr El Kalemat (Kalemat Black) has Kalemat DNA with rich smelling oud and warm vanilla added. It gives you a beautiful smokey dark vanilla-honey balsamic scent, without being overly sweet. This fragrance seems to be more masculine than feminine even though it is listed as unisex. Longevity is well over 12 hours and can be worn year-round, day or night. While walking, you will leave a delicious trail of fumes in your wake. Two sprays will fill a room, so go easy on this if you wear it to the office. This is an amazing EDP that receives many unsolicited compliments. Highly recommended! 10/10

At first, I was like "Hmmm just another sweet fragrance" but man, this one has its own charm. After 20 minutes a cozy ambery vanilla embrace you softly. Incense and woods gives depth and there's a perfect smokey undertone with subtle spices. I don't get any oud. Sweet scents are not my thing, but this one is solid. Presentation is flawless. Sadly, is not a beast mode on my skin. Feb, 2022 batch. Good longevity but poor projection. The sprayer is horrible. I've had Armafs with better atomizer and that's saying a lot. 7/10.