SHK I

SHK I is a cashmeran-frankincense monster. Cashmeran is one of my favorite molecules, and here you can smell it as strongly as in Encre Noire. It opens with a sour bergamot note and quickly becomes cedar-woody and aromatic, though not in the way a fougère is. There's also a green, earthy facet running through it. More than anything else, what stands out in an extreme way is the super-dry musky powderiness. In the deep drydown, a smooth ambery sweetness emerges, but it doesn't fundamentally change the character, not much development here. From start to finish, it stays almost the same, which in this case feels very deliberate. The fragrance remains centered on that dry, woody, cashmeran-heavy texture. And texture is really the right word. It has something of dry coconut shell about it. The whole thing feels more like some kind of material for your body. Because of that, it's not a safe blind buy. It can come across a bit like sour pickle water, but in a weirdly natural way. I think that pickle stuff is also why people see it as a clone of Bois Impérial. SHK I feels closer to the dark, woody backbone of Encre Noire, reworked in a more Middle Eastern style. In its overall tune, it is also very similar to Arabian Oud Signature. Performance is brutal. Projection is far above average, and longevity is monstrous. A few months back, in winter, I sprayed it on a robe that I only wore once every few days when I was especially cold. About two weeks later, the last time I put it on before washing it, it was still projecting, even though I had 'accidentally' exposed it to other perfumes in the meantime. The verdict is straightforward: SHK I 'accidentally' climbed into my top tier of Arabian perfumery. It is a super-stylish, firmly masculine hidden gem: sleek, polished, and self-assured. It smells like it could easily be the signature scent of some guy in a turban in the Gulf (or just me). Desert Star is arriving tomorrow, so I will see how they differ. I hope they are at least somewhat different, but I assume they will be, since the note pyramid for SHK I here is wrong and shows exactly the same notes for the other one. EDIT: Desert Star is 99–100% similar. Opening note: 9 Sillage/Projection: 9- Drydown: 9+ Longevity: 10 Blend/Composition: 9 Versatility: 6- Uniqueness: 8- Value for money: 9- Bottle design/Aesthetics: 8- Overall experience: 9 Blind-buy rating: 6-

I have mostly good things to say about this fragrance. But it is not blind buy safe unless you already know and love some of the higher voted fragrances above. It’s not a clone of Bois Imperial but it’s in a similar lane. It’s a little darker and less fizzy than Bois. The fragrance is VERY woody and a touch herbal. Not quite as pepper heavy as Bois. It comes in a beautiful presentation even for the higher end of of middle eastern houses. The quality of the scent is also definitely higher than many others from Armaf. I got it for under $40 which is actually really a great deal for what you get. The performance to me is right on the verge of being beast mode. Not quite an all day room filler, but also very close to being one. I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of Bois or the Encre line.

Notes on Fragrantica are slightly different than official notes on Armaf's website: Top Notes: Bergamot, Pimento, Nutmeg Heart Notes: Cashmere Wood, Cedarwood, Vetiver Base Notes: Dry Amber, Luban, White Musk This is a hidden gem, sillage is very strong in first 4 hours with 5-6 sprays only. Longevity on cloths 3-4 days. Imagine Bois Imperial but more woidy and without the basil note. I used to layer it with one cone for Vaibrato Sospero, very elegant. One day I went down via the elevator, my friend followed me after few minutes and he said I knew that you are down because I smelled your perfume in the elevator. This perfume gives a sense of wealth like you are driving a luxurious car 😅 It works for all seasons and all occasions except very hot summer.

Amazing scent. I need some more testing, but it just might become my new signature... Perfect blend of dry woods, incense, light spices and freshness. Clean, classy, complex. I can see it in any season. To my nose it smells like a combination of Loewe 7, Kenzo EDTI & Bois Imperial. Brilliant stuff!

This is a masterpiece from Armaf. It’s Masculine, powdery and woody. Did the arm test and “oh my goodness “ it stayed for hours till the next day. This is a very good blind buy. I’m so in love with this fragrance. Thumbs up to Armaf.

Quick story: I took a whiff of SHK I at my local perfume shop at 12 noon during lunch time. Went back to work. It was so good that I had to buy it the same day. A new signature scent found. Sublime (for my nose). Not blind buy safe.

Safe blind buy for my fellow Creed Aventus lovers (or anyone with testosterone for that matter)

Smell creamy like santal33 note or somthing like that.

Will I buy it again? Hell YES !!!!

It's a very good fragrance—I didn't expect that. I mainly pick up cedarwood, which gives a fresh twist to this classic masculine scent.

SHK I carries an unmistakable masculine mark, portraying a modern man with Italian warmth and enthusiasm. Attracting attention with the sweet fruity scent mixed with Bergamot orange, combined with a lively, slightly spicy taste of Pimento chili, and then accentuated with the scent of premium Omani Oud, SHK I helps you close a greeting like no other. can be more tactful in important meetings at work.

Too much earthy...smells good in the opening like bois imperial,but then if you sniff near your skin you can smell only wet earth

I had a sample of bois imperial and from memory this is similar, a great manly spicy scent