Dubai Black Sapphire

#48 on my Fragrance Review Journey I'm back to one of my favorite houses, Bond No 9. Neiman Marcus is still selling this for $600 bucks. You can find it from reputable resellers for 1/3 of the price... sometimes cheaper. I got a great deal I couldn't pass up. I had never got a chance to place my nose on any of the Dubai line, so this was a blind buy. I am happy to say it was a successful one. Two sprays to back of my hands and the fragrance enveloped the room. At first sniff, I knew I had something special. The oud is exceptional. It's regal and opulent without being overpowering. No barnyard smells, no fecal smells. You initially smell oud/rose/saffron and a bit of the neroli. As it dries down, the rose becomes more authentic smelling, with a supporting cast of oud/saffron/sandalwood. It is elegant and pleasing in the air. I had a decant of Signature Scent and really enjoyed it. Black Sapphire compared to that one feels more mature and put together. There is a bit of a vintage feel that I really enjoy with Black Sapphire. It also reminds me in the early stages of Xerjoff Alexandria II. The dry down is also familiar to Kilian Rose Oud. If you have smelled any of these scents and liked them, you will probably like Dubai Black Sapphire. Performance 8- 9 hours on my skin (others may have much longer with their body chemistry). This is a solid outing. It is not worth $600 bucks (can't think of any fragrance that is); however, if you find a great deal, it may be totally worth it. If you are near a store that carries this, get your nose on it. This is a keeper for me. 10/10 Update 7/22/26 I have had five solid wears and love this fragrance. That said, I can see how some may find the opening barnyard smelling. I love oud, so my nose has grown accustomed to many variations of it. This is not a beginner oud fragrance. It starts out very strong. Even for someone who enjoys oud, I would highly recommend sampling first. The dry down is really similar to Kilian Rose Oud; however, we are talking late into the dry down. Beautiful fragrance.

This is one of the first niche frags I ever received several years ago and I hated it then. But I kept it for sentimental reasons. My nose and tastes have evolved so much since then and I decided to put it on after my shower tonight. I really think this is just lovely now. It’s rich and spicy and woodsy and animalic, yes, but in a beautiful day way. I’m so glad I hung on to this.

I have the oil from APO of this and I have to say - I love it. I was reading reviews last night and a number of people said some extremely negative things but this oil that I have is very, very pretty. In fact, I think it was my favorite of everything I ordered. Will repurchase from them -

Reminds me of Dubai amber but less amber and more oud. The oud is also a more animalic right from the get go. Nice fragrance and probably the most hardcore out of the Dubai line. If you can't handle some barnyard action, stay away. Scent 7/10 Performance 7/10

The opening is very nice...it has a very nice floral opening but the drydown smells like women's hair products 🤢 Smells like walking into a Paul Mitchell hair salon- The performance is also lacking & it surprised me.. This sits close to ur skin