Ébène

Disclaimer I was aware when purchasing that this product is somehow imitation of YSL Babycat - respected and beloved, but I have not an opportunity to test Babycat to date. I have, however, compared it with Paris Corner Rifaaqat, that is also considered 'dupe'. The Perfume To simply put it - gorgeous and profound. The impression of an Orthodox church - very accurate. The incense resins and spices are piercing, providing fresh and cold aura above the core woodines and dense, smooth vanilla base. Some time after initial application Ébène becomes a cacophony of incense, wood and spice all sewed together by etheral, vanillic revelation. The base on the other hand provides warmth and cozyness. I believe touch of musk add more humane tone to it. The experience is indeed an impression of entering shrine and being surrounded with gold plated icons and precious woods, yet feeling self-welcomming and confident. I can imagine someone using it daily in the cold mornings during autumn-winter season, but also for the church or even evening date - however not for loud occasions as it is very quiet, somehow introvertic and remaining quite intimate despite wonderful sillage and longevity. Comparison to Paris Corner Rifaaqat Ébène is less leathery and "compressed" in sense of structure. It focuses on etheral incense and resins while staying humane, Rifaaqat seems play with saffron and leather, enhancing maybe 'the volume' and dark tones for evening wear but detaching from the wearer* and becoming syrupy. (*By detaching I mean that some fragrances are The Perfumes and perform somewhat independently from a user, other are more of a 'second skin' - that's how I feel with Ébène, but not Rifaaqat.) Also, I personally find cedar note quite promiment in Rifaaqat, which is lacking in Ébène, where coniferous accord is less obvious. My final impression is that overall if the gourmand aspect of both vanillas are considered, Ébène stays rather sweet while Rifaaqat develops with a hint of salty accord - savory :) Both are quality products and beautiful compositions for heavy vanilla lovers. For my taste Ébène is more suitable and universal in it's heavy parfum character. Presentation Ébène Maison Alhambra is first of all a quality product - the detais of packaging, cristal-clear heavy glass flacon, cap - of superb quality. There is obvious similarity of Babycat presentation. I am a little disturbed by that. Reflection Now I am dying to test YSL Babycat to actually distinguish who is the copycat (of Babycat :) ) and who is just filling the budget market demand for this kind of compositions. Just recently "Arab perfumes" from UAE just flooded the EU market targeting almost all trends in perfumery and catching attention of masses while indirectly devaluating perfume market. I am really curious if this would become a fall of countless designer flankers or premium lines of historically Europe-centric market and rise of new luxury/niche quality while leaving the mass market iterations or... just continuation of decreasing quality. It is becoming sad to me that even most respected brands are now selling flankers of three to even single note. I hope for the increase of quality scenario. Very interesting times to live in, panta rei.

This is not a clone, and is good enough to be it's own fragrance, or a babycat flanker. Catholic guilt post nut clarity. My bottle sat for two years before I opened it. The first ten minutes are an unrefined blast of sweet, dry spice. It is a necessary penance, because what happens next is the reason this fragrance exists. The composition finds its soul. A thick, resinous accord emerges a kind of "bubble-gumcense," both sacred and chewy. The spices are sharp, strongest being clove, and they sit on a bed of dry amber. There is an idea of vanilla here, more a concept than a true gourmand note, and the softest suggestion of suede, or maybe leather? a textural whisper beneath the incense. After an hour, the church becomes humid. The incense blooms, the amber and vanilla intensify, and the entire composition becomes undeniably carnal. A sexy church. Two hours in, a peculiar sadness creeps in. A feeling of regret. It is attractive, but melancholic. For the next several hours, it fluctuates between this sacred carnality and sacred sorrow. The vanilla takes on a boozy, bourbon-like quality. The incense is no longer just rising; it is thick smoke from a spice that is actively burning. It lasts forever on skin. This is not a dupe. It is Babycat's estranged sibling who joined a monastery, broke their vows, and is now trying to reconcile the two. A beautiful, confusing, and utterly compelling mess. I really adore this one.

I LOVE babycat but it's always sold out and pretty expensive. So I went to an arabic perfume store and tried both rifaaqat and Ebene. I have to say that I was so much more impressed by Ebene. It has that sweet smoothness that I loved from babycat. Whereas rifaaqat was more masculine leaning. Ebene is a beast mode fragrance and lasts amazing!!! I potentially think some of these reviewers may have accidentally bought a dupe of a dupe because I cannot fathom this being experiences as short lasting- both clothes and skin

Beautiful, elegant incense fragrance with a subtle touch of sweetness. I discovered it by chance in a shop and found myself returning to it again and again, so I bought it. To me, it is a truly refined unisex perfume. It carries a distinct church-like aura, yet the vanilla introduces a playful twist. The incense feels warm rather than austere, softened by amber. To my nose, it is a soft fragrance, never overpowering or cloying. The sillage is moderate, as is the longevity. I genuinely love it.

Just bought the ebene this was prolly my riskiest blind buy yet the best, I didn't watch any review before buying it just had a babycat decant compared, 1-1. It has the main notes thats what all I can gurantee, its a nuclear never dies, personally I would say lean more masculine. Here is a controversial opinion every beginner frangrance fanatics will start off with Lattafa Khamrah as their vanilla fragrance but I would prefer ebene as better vanilla dupe. Sorry if I've offende anyone.