Kingdom of Bahrain

Let me start my first Fragrantica review with this gem from Roja Dove. Bahrain is the most underrated from the Gulf collection and is one that is completely different from all the others, it brings a complexity which is almost a journey and an experience - it starts off with a fresh citrus opening which is rather dry (Chypre style that Roja is known for executing really meticulously) and slowly transforms into a woodsy, fruity and sweet dry down. It's not often that you find a fragrance that can completely go from one starting point and end in a complete different direction, I would consider this a form of art on its own - and Bahrain is such a joy to wear for this reason amongst others. I see this as Elysium's older brother, a more sophisticated scent which has complexities that might be appreciated only by those who have been in the game for a while and have already smelled a variety of scents. My rating: A solid 9.5/10 The dry down is a thing of beauty which is hinted at from the first spray. It's extremely versatile and would work in any type of weather, it really shines on a pleasant summer's evening. Performance is great but I find it more of an intimate scent which doesn't have beastly projection. Unfortunately, this has been discontinued so getting your hands on a bottle might prove to be difficult and expensive. On the other hand, a lot of people really dislike Bahrain (because it's so different from the other 'Aouds' in the Gulf collection) so maybe you might get a deal if you act fast enough. I think this is going to be a very sought after scent in a few years when people realise it's gone and are reading through reviews (maybe even mine) Lastly, let me discuss the price. I personally wouldn't pay retail for this, I wouldn't be able to justify it. I managed to get it at the clearance sale in Harrods which was a no brainer for the quality and even presentation. There is something worthy of hype with Bahrain but as always, you shouldn't blind buy into any sort of hype. This creation deserves more praise and I hope this review will get everyone interested enough to find out how good it is for themselves!

Kingdom of Bahrain is an interesting scent, for one because it seems to have no connotations with the middle east in the slightest. Instead, it heads into aromatic fougere territory, but despite this it’s still a beautiful scent and I can see why people love it - but it’s not my favourite from the Gulf Collection. The citrus notes of lime, lemon and bergamot are present throughout the life of the scent which is mixed beautifully with green, woody and aromatic notes of sage, bay leaf, birch, pine, cypress and patchouli to give the scent a powerful and sophisticated masculinity. Alongside this, it’s got the delectable sweetness of a gentle cotton Candy accord, contrasted by the sexy saltiness of marine ambergris. Bahrain is a beautifully smooth scent combining the rugged desire of aromatic fougere, with the youthful allure of candied sweetness. Like I said it seems to have no relation to middle-eastern perfumery which is strange, but the scent is beautiful and has good longevity.

Kingdom of Bahrain has a bubbly and acidic citrus opening mainly due to the FANTASTIC lemon and lime. The heart of spicy rose, jasmine and violet propels the scent into a clear, clean space that hovers over the voluminous, dense base with its peaceful 'oud and gray leather gaining a fleshy dimension thanks to subtle brushstrokes of birch tar, pine, rubbery saffron, pepper and an earthy patchouli. Perfume is saved from weight by two things: First, a surprising cotton candy note adds a hint of sweetness and delicacy to the leather and smoky wood accords, elevating the scent firmly into versatile, unisex territory. Second, fresh citrus top notes join a radiant ambergris at the base to effectively brighten the scent, brightening your darkest corners and breathing air in your crevices. Masterful, charming, elegant and full of spicy heat, yet fresh and smooth Kingdom of Bahrain is truly a perfume fit for a king. A masterpiece by Roja Dove!

My favourite from this brand. I hate hate all the oud line however this is totally something else. So happy I do not feel any oud in it. It tells a story of a beautiful teen girl wearing pink walking in the woods by night in an enchanted forest. You can smell the wet dark woods, the humidity leaves blending with the sweets and cotton candy reserves from her pink bag pack. Sweet deep woody resinous camphorous humid and mix with the cotton candy is really something else this perfume. Not for everyone. My top 10 for life.

An invigorating interplay of citrus and freshness from Lemon, Lime, Clary Sage, and bergamot becomes even more uplifting with an introduction Pink Pepper and spicy Saffron, made untamed by a bouquet of Violet Rose, and Jasmine, caressed with the unusual note of candied floss (cotton candy). After an hour the dry down comes front and center with an overture of woods including Cedar, Cypress, Casmir, Pine, Birch, and Aoud Woods, with an underlying base of Vanilla, Ambergris, Leather and Tonka Bean.