Enigma of Taif

I am a certified rose hater. I don't blind anything that has got a note of rose in it. But I took a risk with Enigma of Taif because I absolutely love everything I got from the Cities Collection and all I heard were good things about it. This was a gamble that paid off. Yes, it's very rose leaning, but it's not your typical grandma rose. This one is youthful, sparkling and addictive. It's almost intoxicating and definitely makes a statement. I get some violet and pleasant saffron too, not much plum. There's also spicy pepper, elemi and cardamom in the opening which all work beautifully with the rose. Somehow Enigma of Taif screams spring to me, but she'll absolutely work in Autumn and Winter as well. Maybe it's got bit too much going on for hot summer day, but in the evening? Absolutely! Overall, it smells amazing and I can't get enough of it! Leaning feminine, but I imagine it'd be great for a male too. Performance is great, beautiful presentation too. Another stunning fragrance from the Cities Collection. Very tempting to get them all!

I agree with Nycswervo, there is something oudy in here. But that's not at all the first thing that I get from this one. The taif rose is distinctively recognizable, and takes center stage. It is accompanied by a swirl of notes of cardamom, saffron, and the various incense notes. Unlike in many rose-incense fragrances, here the incense doesn't choke the rose, it gently wafts around her. And yes, a woody note is present throughout. This is very beautiful, subtle fragrance with many facets. It comes with a little note warning about the high concentration of oils, and it definitely is very oily on the skin. In my book that's a good thing and a sign of quality, natural ingredients. I only just received mine today, so I'll update this review in a few days when I'll have had more time to test it out.

This is just amazing, I like this type of well blended not mass appealing fragrances. For sure, initial sprays are somewhat off, too much happening at once. Leave it to maturate for a couple of weeks, then the magic happens and all the ingredients merge. This is not your typical rose fragrance, i haven't smell anything like it, this is definitely masculine profile. Performance is very good, i get up to 10hrs on skin, strong projection in the first 4hrs, on clothes i can smell it even the next day. If you are looking for a unique fragrance, that has character and depth, get this. But, i do recommend sample first. This could be worn in many instances if you enjoy it, but in the heat can get cloying and also for the office don't go more than 5 sprays. 10/10.

Enigma of Taif is unique but also familiar at the same time. It has a lot of nuances that oriental fragrances typically have but at the same time it is it's own thing. As I sprayed it I immediately thought I have something like this in my collection and some fragrances like Montale's Infinity or Arabians Tonka and Ignite Oud came to my mind but it's only facets of those that are present here, it's not redundant. It's definitely not for everyone but at the same time trained and even untrained noses will appreciate this one. It doesn't seem to be too loud but the quality is there, the longevity is there and the complexity is there. This is a solid 9/10 for me.

Coming back to add a second review two months after purchasing. I have never been a believer in "maceration". But I do have to admit that in this case, the change is undeniable. After a few wears, I had left it aside, just because I have so many other perfumes I wanted to wear this winter, and only ended up using it again today. I am blown away by how much the longevity has increased. I used to get 6-8 hours out of this when I first bought it, which was already solid. Today, I sprayed at 10am, and tonight at 10pm I'm still getting whiffs of this beautiful perfume. Changing my "like" vote to a "love"! Absolutely fantastic fragrance!

As someone who doesn't typically like fragrances with rose in it this is completely different I love this perfume, the rose is very prominent but done to perfection. Like the previous reviews I get a oud note in here too buts it's not overpowering its quite pleasant drys down into a smooth woody slightly oudy rose scent. Can't comment about longevity or performance only received it a few hours ago from posting this review. By the note in the box warning about high concentration of oils I have no doubt it's a good performer with strong projection.

Shockingly great and classy fragrance for the price (I paid 39 Euros!). With excellent performance. Spicy, slightly fresh and luxurious rose in perfect harmony with saffron, violet and an ambery woody base, hints of smoke and leather give it a more serious character. Smells like a 250 dollar niche fragrance in the air. And people WILL smell it on you, I even got a compliment 7 hours after application. Perfectly unisex, anywhere, anytime (except on a hot summer day I would imagine) 10/10

Dude, this is the beast, spicy rose scent, i wish it should be the jammy rose but this profile is also nice. I sprayed it on my wife and i wore something else, i was able to smell only this from my wife and i was not able to smell the perfume i was wearing. Definitely a unisex, and those who are saying rose are not for men, i will say those are boys showing off their jpgs .... This is a truly sophisticated and men can wear this for sure.

A tad spicy in the opening in a middle eastern way, after 15-20 mins it starts enveloping into that ambery rosey scent with the molasses that keeps it from being too dark. It’s insanely long lasting and to my nose projects very well. For this price it’s punching way above its weight. Overall it’s a banger and in my eyes can be worn by both genders. Amazing stuff, better than a lot of niche fragrances I’ve had and smelt.

It’s not a light rose scent, it’s quite heavy and spicy, but in a good way. I personally don’t smell oud here like others say. The opening might be harsh for some, but I really enjoy it. It becomes really nice and a bit sweet once it settles down. The quality is very good. The scent is nuclear. I wouldn’t spray more than 2–4 times, depending on whether I’m indoors or outdoors. No maceration was needed for mine.

Really enjoying this, it is definitely Taif rose heavy, not sweet or sickly rose. Dries down very quickly to get the base notes so after about 20mins I'm left with rose, amber, vetiver and labdanum, thankfully I'm not getting the molasses at all. I can also smell musk even though there isn't any apparently. I like it, quite a lot actually.

I just got this yesterday and I love it! Its smoky, ambery sweet plumy and you get that fresh hit of taif rose. For the price this is a must have in my opinion. If you love dark, sexy, sweet but not too sweet fragrances, get this. I may be the only one but I got that side effect smokiness and sweetnes idk it smells very familiar.

This is SUCH a different rose scent I’m in love!! I can’t think of anything this reminds me of it’s definitely not atomic rose or oud satin mood anything like that it’s a spicy rose with slightly fruity and woody notes it’s very sensual and dark it’s STRONG too this filled my room with 2 sprays 🌹🌹

perfect special occasion scent for me. opening can definitely come off harsh in that middle eastern-y way, but after 30 minutes it dries down to a beautiful rose, slightly sweet, tad bit spicy and woody scent. it's playful but not immature. semi-blind buy safe; i'd say its worth giving a shot

This isn’t a simple floral; it’s a story of contrasts - tender yet powerful, radiant yet shadowed. A fragrance for those who wear elegance like a secret.. It is stunning, complex, and super sophisticated. One of the most unique and prettiest rose fragrances i’ve smelt.

Its an excellent fragrance, I thought it would remind me of Taif Rose or its attar, but this does not. It's warm and spicy in the beginning and taif rose in the drydown and projects really well. It actually gives you a journey but this is amber-heavy to me

Gorgeous scent. One of the best releases from 2025. Spicy opening that dries down to a taif rose and amber combo. Fantastic release from a great collection. 8+ hours of longevity from 2 wears as a test.

This is a gorgeous 10/10 top quality fragrance. I blind bought this based on hype and this is one of the times that I’m glad I did. Better than perfumes costing 4 times the price.

To my nose, this smells exactly like Dynasty from Lattafa. I really enjoy it, but don't need it since I have the other. It's woody, and leans masculine. Not a safe blond buy.

This is spectacular! Spicy, ambery rose with an aromatic quality and for this price point? Insane. If you’re a rose lover, just get it and if you aren’t, get it too haha!