Nin-Shar

I ordered a sample of Nin-Shar almost a year ago and dismissed it as too sweet. But then, every now and then the sample would just appear around and I had to smell it and spritz a little on my wrist. Amazed as I was I discovered that I really started to like this fragrance. So how does it smell? It's definitely sweet, but not caramel sweet, or vanilla pudding sweet. This one is the most luxurious, rose-raspberry-a hint of strawberry, acacia honey and a dash of vanilla and a sprinkle of lime zest sweet little, but long lasting fragrance. It smells tasty. Nothing harsh or edgy here. It actually smells so good I wish somebody had started making jams or fruit compotes like that. I was very tempted to lick my wrist but managed to resist. I'm surprised oud is listed as a second strongest note, as to me is almost undetectable. Nothing like oud I know from rose-oud combos. I also don't smell patchouli. From the base notes It's the incense I can smell but again, not the incense I know, but the very sophisticated, top note of incense. Anyway, 10 months later and after many 'jammy' wrist sampling it grew on me so much I'm ready for a full bottle.

It's easy to dismiss this one as one of the many oud & rose combination scents that we have had a slew of in the last year or so as oud came into vogue. What caught my attention with this one was the mention of 'rose liquor' as an accord and rightly so, as this is what makes it special. Nin-Shar is an opulent oriental. It's not floral enough to classify as one, nor woody enough to fit into that category either. There is oud, there is rose. But the oud is melting and the vibrant and fragrant red roses have been crushed whole into jam. Add to this drippings of dark rum and sticky berry compote and you have Nin-Shar. A boozy oriental fruity-floral. It's somehow a perfect mess of ingredients coming together to make something that smells rich and exotic. Colourful, sensual, decadent rather than refined, if the inspiration came from Babylon, I'd attribute this to the goddess Ishtar rather than the Hanging Gardens. Very interested to try more from this house.

At first, I found this scent a bit overwhelming. Now, I can't imagine life without it. I've never been a great fan of rose-oud or rose-patchouly (or all together) combinations, but this one is exceptional in my opinion. It evokes an indulgent mix of red wine, slightly tart(slightly gone off even) apples, rose jam, and a hint of vanilla cream. The juxtaposition of sweet rose jam with bitter, medicinal patchouli creates an intriguing effect, almost reminiscent of rotten apples to me. Sounds wrong, but somehow it is so right here. While I don't detect oud as prominently as in classic Middle Eastern-inspired rose-oud perfumes, the woody notes are certainly noticeable. Nin-Shar is anything but linear; it's a complex blend that balances sour, woody, boozy, herbaceous, spicy, and jammy-sweet elements. The development and dry down are truly amazing. If you weren't initially fond of it, I challenge you to give it a second chance.

Captivating fragrance! Thanks for DresdenDoll for the sample and review below. She described it perfectly, for Nin-Shar is so rich, based on Turkish Rose absolute, rose liquor, davana essence, out and incense absolute. It is like spoiled odalisque on silk cushions, so rich, intense, so drunk and happy. Base from bourbon vanilla, cedar and pathouli is divine. It is jammy rose AND powdery at the same time, rosy petals are everywhere. Has something remotely similar with Artisan's Drole de Rose, (instead of violets, layers of artemisia inside the rose) yet louder, better, more oriental, balsamic. 10 out of 10 from me, as from rose-lover.

I get spicy wood rose liquer on first spray which sets it apart from my other rose and rose oud perfumes. The fruity dry down on this is gorgeous. I've now realized I love fruity ouds such as this and Ojars Velours. The Oud is not too heavy so safe for those not into skanky ouds. I loved the sample so much I bought the presentation set which also includes a 7 ml travel spray in a little drawer in the box. The presentation set is absolutely stunning and centre piece worthy.