The One Royal Night

Just received my big boy 5oz bottle of this fragrance today and I’m pleased. It was a blind buy based off reviews I read about the composition reiterating that its basically a better performing version of The One EDP. Well I can attest to the improved performance and longevity but I’m reluctant to say that the smell is similar to the original The One DNA. Don’t get me wrong, there are nuances that are definitely identifiable with the classic composition we’ve all come to know and love but to my nose... this goes in a novel, oriental, decidedly middle eastern direction that most reviewers aren’t mentioning. The opening, to me, smells like a very woody and sweeter iteration of The One EDP. The woods I smell isn’t ‘oudy’ but nondescript, or I should say not decidedly any specific wood... just woody. I also get a strong pear note that is very similar to the pear you get from Givenchy’s Gentleman EDT and it’s very prominent. There’s also a touch of creamy sweetness as if vanilla is a note despite it not actually being an official note. This is more than likely coming from the amber in the base. These elements are all on top of the original The One DNA. The mid is where the comparisons to The One EDP really shine. Because of the better performance and longevity of this composition the mid appears about 10 to 15 minutes after application and lingers for about 3 to 4 hours and radiates arms length and is very pleasant and enjoyable. After that the dry down is where things go into an entirely different direction to my nose. The dry down smells like the dry down of Franck Olivier’s oud touch. That carmel, musky, spicy and woody smell from the Oud Touch composition is what I get. Albeit a much smoother and gentle olfactory experience which is expected but similar nonetheless. Just like Oud Touch, this fragrance does not contain any oud and my nose does not pick it up, but Oud is not the only note that can make a composition ‘middle eastern’ as we all know. It’s the dark spice/wood/sweet combination that middle eastern fragrances have and this middle eastern interpretation is no different. It smells good and is very pleasant as I do enjoy the Arab fragrance style alot, but I know there are people too westernized to get it or appreciate these kind of fragrances. Which is why I felt compelled to write this review letting people who may purchase this fragrance blindly expecting a longer lasting and stronger The One EDP based off these misleading reviews only to get a very middle eastern fragrance and end up disappointed. To sum it up its about 50% The One DNA with 50% middle eastern flair. If you’re inclined towards middle eastern scents, I’d say GO FOR IT! But if you’re not, buyer beware. You have been warned.

Without going too deep into the intrinsic details of the formulation, notes breakdown, performance and elements, and without comparing it to any other fragrance, I'm going to be giving a review in a more general, or in the 'scent experience' sense, as if you smell it on someone or somewhere. The scent - The amazing thing about it is that although it lacks the oud note, it has similar vibes. Definitely has the D&G The One for men vibes, but it's basically an Arabic version of it. More of a personal fragrance, leaning a bit more towards the niche side. It's a very polarizing scent. Some love it, some like it, some think it's so-so, others might not like it as much, or rarely, at all, depending on the person, the location, the occasion and the weather. For me, it was love at first sight, or rather, first smell to be precise. As soon as I first tried it in Dubai Duty Free (the very year it was released), I did not hesitate a second to buy it and have never regretted buying it till date, as it remains one of my most treasured fragrances, as per my personal opinion and experience (which may be different for you). Should you consider buying it? - It depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking to buy a crowd pleaser or one that girls would love, then this might not be 'the one' for you. The only exception to that is if you're around/dealing with Arabic people. You'll be getting a lot of compliments from the Arabic guys and the Arabic people in general. It smells Arabic for sure. Luxuriously Arabic. Something a rich Sheikh or a boss or a man with class/power/position would wear (in the realm of the lyrics of the song "Lm3allem"), who is also sophisticated, refined, well mannered, kind and endearing (Aged 25+). And as for the girls, I've tried both wearing it myself and/or just letting them smell the bottle and spray the fragrance. Tried it with girls from different nationalities, cultures and subcultures. Most Arabic girls would love this on her man or on a love interest. For most Non-Arabic girls such as those from Iran, India and South Asia, Turkey and Central Asia, East and Southeast Asia, Africa (excluding the Mediterranean countries), Europe and America, it's mostly a "meh" or a general "it's good" scent, unless of course, they're into Arabic men, culture and/or scents. Same goes for the rest of the crowd. By the way, I'm not an Arab, but from what I've mostly heard, if someone were to guess my nationality based on looks, their first guess would be someone from the Mediterranean region or the Arabian peninsula (neither of which is true).

The One Royal Night opens with bittersweet, candied orange peel which is slightly more pronounced and nuanced then the original eau de parfum. This quickly gives way to a very realistic cardamon, nutty and also slightly bittersweet. The cardamon begins to pop off with the nutty resonance of fresh, mildly pungent curry leaves. Something mildly, but pleasingly acrid at the borders delineates the territory of this fragrance and also pushes back into the area sprayed. I get the bittersweet peels of preserved, Chinese candied citruses; sun-dried and lightly dusted with the semisweet flavored powders used to make these dry candied preserves. The type you find in a Crackseed shop stored and displayed in large glass jars (a delicacy anyone from Hawaii will readily recognize). Fruits of all kinds are preserved and candied in this way. You can find everything from lemon and orange peels, to entire plums, peaches, and apricots preserved and candied in the traditional Chinese fashion being sold from large glass jars at these shops. There is a smell reminescent of that in this fragrance. A slightly pleasant and comforting medicinal note is mingled with a layer of lightly warmed Indian spices. Spices that are not raw, nor yet even the slightest bit browned. The original dna of the eau de parfum is strongly apparent and holds everything together. Very similar to the original but this composition is a bit richer and darker, with a touch more of exotic spices and a mellowed medicinal nuance. The strongest spice of which is the natural smelling lightly toasted cardamon. Exquisite and gorgeous, the development of The One Royal Night progresses a little less soapy than the original eau de parfum. Like previously mentioned, there is a slight medicinal nuance which comes off very rich, luxurious and very, very nice, comforting, and highly sophisticated. This nuance is not a detractor in any way, and instead brings a polished and mysterious character of sophistication to the fragrance. Reminds me of a slightly dimmed room, elegant glass windows with natural, darkened wood furniture. A desk covered in books, maps, periodicals, and a silk tie. A worldly study with refined and elegant fixtures. Absolutely wonderful!!

I always enjoyed Dolce & Gabbana The One, EDT & EDP.. So when I first heard about The One Royal Night I had to get my nose on it, & I finally succeeded! The One Royal Night is very much still "The One", although the DNA of The One has been reworked to give it more of an exotic middle eastern vibe.. The One Royal Night does not stray to far from The One but it does have it's own personality.. The One Royal Night opens up fresh & spicy with a strong dose of cardamom & some basil.. Dolce & Gabbana used two different types of cardamom oil in this composition, hence cardamom is a big part of this fragrance & is detectable throughout it's duration.. There are some nice spicy hints of nutmeg in the heart along with pear wood.. As The One Royal Night starts to dry down sandalwood & cedar start to become more detectable & add some depth to the fragrance.. This touch of sandalwood is my favorite part of this fragrance.. A base of amber adds sweetness while a nice amount of labdanum adds an exotic smokiness.. The use of spices, wood notes, & labdanum is what gives this take on "The One" an exotic middle eastern vibe.. The One Royal Night is definitely more suited for the cooler weather although it could still be somewhat versatile, like The One.. The One Royal Night also performs a bit better on my skin than The One EDT, & maybe even a bit better than The One EDP to.. I do see The One Royal Night as more of a mature fragrance than The One, & because it is a bit more of an exotic fragrance it may not be for everyone.. Overall I happen to love The One Royal Night, & I will continue to appreciate it, as I do the original The One.. With the release of Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme Intenso, Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau De Parfum, & Dolce & Gabbana The One Royal Night, I can finally say that I think Dolce & Gabbana is headed back in the right direction.. I really hope that The One Royal Night stays in production & becomes more widely distributed as it is a great new release!

Potent version of The One EDP. Not the cozy vibe the latter will bring to you. The One EDP is, of the few fragrances I have bottles of in the largest size, "the one" I will definitely finish. I love spraying the EDP but, man, Royal Night is superb. I have yet to find a good price on it but not on the 5oz bottle, just 3.3oz would suffice as this is very strong off/on my skin - projects beautifully and longevity is INSANE >9h. This being a middle-eastern exclusive, I do not smell the ME here as in other fragrances that are to be inspired by it. It is super woody and, without the mentioned note of tobacco, I guess I really don't pick it up in the fragrance though quite similar to the EDP. Not a cozy fragrance as I've mentioned, this is perfect for a night out or even fewer sprays during the day in "not-hot" weather - can be someone's signature to be honest, if mindful of sprays (in my experience, ofc). Definitely worth up to $90-100 for that 100ml bottle but would love to find on for ~$70 which is what I paid for my large bottle of the EDP (if that much). Increasingly getting more difficult to find in the US, as are Luminous and Mysterious Night.