Malik Al Taif

Today is Malik Al Taif. As always, this composition smells of the finest quality naturals. Malik behaves totally different on my skin than what my initial impressions were of the dipstick. I also have zero doubt that it will smell differently on my skin in a month than it does on my skin today. Just goes to show you these must be worn and studied over time to really appreciate what is afoot. In the opening, this fragrance shows almost all of its cards up front. I get the taif rose and gulab combo with its pink, citrusy-green tinged qualities that sit atop a hefty dose of deer musk, a blend of ouds (with the hay like qualities of the Hindi dominating) a smoky amber resin, and a MUCH more muted saffron than I initially experienced. The spiciness is there, but the boldness is more modest. It is an interesting oud combination. As stated above, the Hindi Oud kinda dominates the trio (hay, smooth leather, sweet resinousness) but I do pick up some smokiness and purple fruit that I have experienced in Cambodi oils. He listed the Lao oil as highly animalic. The Lao oils I am familiar with are the lactonic, almost cheesy fermented oud, and I do pick up a slight lactonic quality within the blend. After the fragrance starts to dry down that lovely benzoin creeps in and makes the rose a bit more enjoyable for me and just rounds out the entire fragrance as all the notes soften and blend in to your skin. Benzoin tends to have that effect on every composition that contains a decent amount of it for me. I imagine the guggul resinoid that Adam tends to use has a similar effect (aside from being a great fixative). At the top of the pack for rose/ouds, but I do not personally need another one. Exceptional stuff.

So THIS is the legendary Malik Al Taif? I'm not sure where to begin. This allegedly sits on the Mount Rushmore of releases from ALD, so it's inherently garnered some criticism. Heavy is the head, and all that. What's under the hood? Well, it's a pretty straightforward floral oriental with a subtly ambered, woody base. Sounds simple. And, it kind of is. But, I think that is the point. And that might be what makes it "good". Structurally, this is a floriental comparable to ALD releases Paradise Soil or Walimah. (Paradise Soil maybe with a little more going on as far as the bells and whistles) The base, the oud, everything in this composition is carefully dosed to create a platform to showcase the sheer beauty of the rose, like Walimah's champaca or Paradise Soil's bouquet of jasmine and ylang. And boy, is this rose worthy of showcase. There is boundless depth in this rose note. Tart, citric, lemony, fermented berry/cherry, wine-like juice, somewhat spicy aromatic clove. It is so robust, if you wanted to, you could continue finding facets within it until either the cows came home or the fat lady sings. So, what are the critiques? "Not complex enough", "flimsy base", "not a unique offering", "rose / oud is overdone". Are these warranted? Well, expectations are a hell of a drug. If you like rose... This is one of the most brilliant, vibrant, deep roses I've laid my nose on. If this is a composition outside of your expectations... That might not be at fault of the perfume.

After so many good reviews, I ordered a full bottle ahead of receiving the sample - I was relieved that I had made a good investment. The first thing to note is that this is fairly sweet. A few people use 'jammy' which I guess indicates a sugary element. I believe it comes more from the creamy benzoin in the base which provides a gorgeous foundation. A lot of reviewers have mentioned turkish delight in describing this and I agree. The rose is incredible. The perfume is worth buying for the sheer quality of rose alone, I've never experienced such a natural rose. The dry down is also a beauty to behold. I can't stop sniffing my shirt... such a sweet resinous benzoin in the base. I find this projects a bit better on clothing - but be careful on whites and lights as it will stain. The indian oud is very noticeable particularly on first spray - this may turn a few people off. However, I find this disappears after 10 minutes and I'm left with a delicious balanced fragrance. I find the opening almost chocolatey as well.The price is a lot, but considering the ingredients and uniqueness of the perfume I have bought two bottles.

I’m wearing Malik Al Taif on my hand again , today I’m detecting a lot more oud and saffron than I did yesterday , the complexity of naturals is incredible, I find the rose alive smelling. Opening is so breathtaking that you want that rose to stay vibrant for the entire duration of the scent, there’s a subtle skanky quality about the oud utilized in the building of this formula, and the saffron packs a punch. I’ve smelled and own a lot of rose Oud saffron perfumes, but none of them smell like Malik Al Taif. In my first wearing I felt as if I was wearing two different scents in one simultaneously, quite difficult to explain, but today on my second day Malik Al Taif is reading differently, as if the materials infused within each other overnight, the transitions from rosy into woody are more harmonious, the musk is kissing the heart of the composition gently, there’s a sweet almost fruity presence throughout , is just beautiful, and a warmth ambery aura becomes noticeable the longer the composition unfolds on my skin.

Opulent, indulgently rich and narcotic. 1001 nights inspired MALIK AL TAIF opens with heady, plush Taif roses; drizzled with effervescent lemon, heapings of thick, golden hued honey and hints of finest saffron strands. An unparalleled olfactory experience is intensified by the use of Indian oud, lending MALIK AL TAIF slight animalic edge, dept and character; while musk absolute adds unmistakable sensual edge to the composition; taking it from innocently bright to head-turningly daring. The drydown is probably my favourite part of MALIK AL TAIF. Creamiest, most luxurious Mysore sandalwood, rich amber resin and Siam benzoin create a lavish aura which envelops the main player - rose, in a sweet, woody, golden embrace; caressing one's skin like a finest silk undergarment....