Hamdani

This one is such an underrated gem. And I am glad to have found out about it. This one has nothing to do with the aesthetics of the house, it's original, not mass-appealing, very complex, bold, and unapologetic. I find it to be utterly seductive and alluring but I can see why many find this repulsive. First of all, there are no animalic musks or synthetic oud accords in here. However, there are two phases of this perfume that could be challenging for many. This one is a very complex perfume that changes a lot after application, so, do test it on the skin, and do wait for it to transform. The first part, is a weird combination of very dry woods, a powerful clove punch(very mentholated), gummy resins, and a hint of honey. This first part almost has like an antiseptic or shoe-polish vibe from the cloves, and it can be offputting. It's not my favorite part, but I find it to be very intriguing. Soon after this assaulting opening, the leather accord and the incense accord start to creep in and slowly assert themselves as the main players. The cloves dial down, and you start to get this beautiful brown leather, quite rugged, almost baked in the sun, that also has a buttery and salty quality to it. It feels alive and does smell of horses and stables. To that, you add a beautiful incense accord, creating this dirty and smoky leather feel. In the base, the styrax adds a hint of dirtiness, sweetness, and oriental mysticism. As I said, very complex perfume. This one does pay tribute to the two beautiful stallions on the front of the bottle, as it does smell like being around these beautiful and majestic creatures. I would say, if you are a fan of the house, stay away from this. If, however, you like to explore and expand your horizons, and you are into smoky-dirty leathers, orientals, and animalic perfumes, and you find the house laughable, boring, and commercial, then this one is not to be missed. It's quite unique, I can't compare it to anything else, but it is in the same league as Tauer's L'Oudh, Afrika Olifant, Tom ford's London, Dior's Leather Oud (OG). A gorgeous perfume.

Today I acquired a full 125ml bottle of Hamdani. To be honest I never thought I will force myself to put a penny on Hamdani. Those who know this frag know exactly how it smells. It has to be said that Hamdani may be considered as controversial frag and I understand this statement. I was told that niche fragrances evoke images and memories and this quote may be the best association with Hamdani. The first time I smelled it I was actually shocked! I saw a horse stable, stinky, humid, and some kind of strange horse skin smell. Pure magic. Sadly it was discontinued but I'm not sure when but I can presume why. This is not for everyone. It is not a crowd-pleaser nor a freshie. This is PURE sophistication. I bought it because I find it to be very unique and specific. I love it and hate it at the same time. Chapeau bas for this magnificent creation. + funny story today (17.07.2021). My father got me Hamdani instead (i got it already but he doesn't know) of Habdan xD He was so shocked when I told him he made a mistake cause he knows how Hamdani smells xD I always told him HABDAN, not HAMDANI Haha! He is so lovely! I don't want him to get disappointed, this fantastic mistake was great! I love my dad! <3 + if You wish to know the story, please head up to my review of Habdan.

My husband calls this one “Barnyard Ruckus” It took me awhile to make up my mind about Hamdani. It’s a jet-black, inky and dry scent of leather and vetiver with a stearn face, zero sweetness like black coffee. I had to get used to the papyrus note which, when mixed with vetiver and leather, creates an ominous, poisonous scent that reminds me of the peaty notes in Scottish Whiskey or Profumum Roma’s Fumidus. There is also a soft animalic, barnyard kind of vibe in here that is very apropos with the leather. It creates a picture of a man checking in on the horses in the stable, early evening in his Stubbs&Wootton slippers. It’s definitely a masculine-leaning scent but it’s strange enough to work on the right woman. If you try Hamdani and anything about it leaves you curious, keep trying it and you just may wind up really loving it. It has pieces of other perfumes (Mona DiOrio Cuir, Nishane Afrika Olifant..etc.) but as a whole there is nothing else like it. After wearing it ten to twenty times, I finally fell in love. Dry, sexy, complex leather, vetiver and “oud” (or what smells like an oud accord).

Wow. The beginning is almost like Patchouli from Santa Maria Di Novella, but then after about an hour converts to almost identical scent that has Soul Of The Forest from Maison Martin Margiela. Clearly, no one would guess that just by the ingredients. It is a mystery, but that is also a game-changer for accepting the fragrance as much more approachable and likable. Of course, since it evolves like this this fast, you are here in for a surprise, and it definitely creates a deception. In fact, where it works best is in between the sheets. The initial earthiness, smokiness and harshness gives a way to a more sweet and fruity drydown, but no oversweet bubblegum or sap association. The longevity is for about 6 hours. The applicability has been questioned on several fora and I have to agree. It has a limited use, but in a different sense. For anything dirty, this will suit it well. You can't forget that the perfume is quite addictive and in this way sets the mood. This leaves out almost every everyday situation, yet for the right occasion, it works perfectly.

I love niche houses and have just about every PdM scent and quite a few from Amouage. Throw in the right type and amount of incense and I could see this being made in Oman, although when Pellegrin designed Sunshine Man for Amouage it is much brighter than this frag. IMHO, PDM's frags are either niche designed for mass appeal and we love them (Layton, Herod), or they are pure niche and not for everyone (Kalan)--and the latter IS Hamdani. Took me a couple of times wearing it before it grew on me and I really started liking it, this is how complex oriental fragrances roll. Unabashedly Masculine, strong, and unforgettable--oftentimes with enough animalic that it can nip. If you are the type infatuated with pineapple, 'blue', and just stepped out of the shower smells...turn around, you are in the wrong neighborhood. Definitely a cooler weather frag, would Not typically see guys under thirty-five wearing this. Nothing unisex about this, pure male. Giddyap.