Shaghaf Oud Aswad

To start, this is not blind buy safe, and this will not be for everyone. You will either love this in it's entirety, or you'll completely hate this. I would highly suggest trying to get a sample first. This is definitely an acquired taste. I would only recommend purchasing this fragrance if you're very expierenced when it comes to fragrances in general. Especially, the truly unique ones with a classic Middle Eastern scent profile. If you don't like rose, oud, smoke, incense, or leather, then you probably won't enjoy this. This is a dark, rosey, oud bomb! It does not smell western in anyway. Also, this is not a light fragrance by ANY means! If you're sensitive to fragrances, this probably won't be for you either. In my opinion, this is what an Arabian prince/princess would smell like. This just oozes luxury. It smells WAAAY more expensive than it actually is. The quality on this is outstanding. This is a dark, jammy rose. Without being green in anyway. In my opinion, this rose is right on the brink of the petals starting to die. This has a HUGE blast of Rose and Oud, and it lasts throughout the entirety of the fragrance. The oud in this is rather interesting. It feels a lil funky, but somehow fresh at the same time. Probably because the aromatic rose KEEPS it from going full blown wet, fermented woods. The rose and oud is the main star of the show. Those two notes are there throughout the entirety of the fragrance. This is then backed up by the beautiful leather, some smoke and then incense. I don't really get any of the spices. I mostly just get the big blast of rose, oud, smoke and leather. This is dark, intoxicating, unique, bold, daring, and completely unforgiving. In my opinion, (This is the dominatrix of the shaghaf line🤣). She is here, and she's making a statement! She WILL force you to pay attention to her, and only her! She will leave you weak in the knees and begging for more. This is very polarizing, distinct, and aromatic. This projects very hard! And this will last on clothing for daaaays. It projects much more than it lasts on skin. Also, this is better suited for fall/winter only because of how strong this is. You will choke people out in the warmer months. I wouldn't recommend wearing this if you're around a lot of people in a confined space. (A little goes a very long way) I can't express enough how gorgeous this fragrance truly is. It's an absolute beauty, and unlike anything I've ever smelled. If you like unique fragrances that are bold, dark, daring and that make a statement, then this is right up your alley. It's a masterpiece in my opinion. Absolute ten/ten!

The overwhelming intensity of Shaghaf Oud Aswad is apparent from the very first spray. For a split second, it reveals an oudy note reminiscent of rubber tires, similar to that of Al Haramain Khulasat al Oudh. Within minutes, it evolves into a bold, challenging blend of saffron and herbal rose. Shortly after, the fragrance takes on the character of a vintage, jammy rose pastry (like one from a grandmother's kitchen) with a non-barnyard oud. This rich rose layer is beautifully balanced by a warm and deep woody backbone. The drydown, which I believe is the best part of the experience, as it balances all the ingredients so well, leaves a smooth amber trail, subtly infused with incense and vanilla. The entire experience evokes the imagery of a dark, gothic-style lounge filled with nearly black roses, incense, and velvet drapes. This fragrance captures a striking contrast between Eastern and Western olfactory cultures. While most Western perfumes lean minimalist, Aswad in contrary feels unapologetically 'maximalist'. Its projection needs little explanation — upon application, it was detectable from the farthest corner of my apartment. Longevity is phenomenal, truly beast mode, making it a perfect mixture for winter evenings. Though it leans slightly toward the feminine side of unisex, I enjoy experimenting with fragrances and find it a pleasure to wear. The bottle itself is a stunning black matte block, exuding luxury, and it features an excellent atomizer that ensures an even application. While undeniably luxurious, this fragrance is not a crowd-pleaser due to its bold and heavy profile. It is not recommended for blind buys. As someone who isn't particularly fond of overly sugary, rose-centric oud combinations (since many tend to smell almost identical and lack quality), I find this one stands out as a unique creation. Alongside Lattafa's Bade'e al Oud Amethyst and Oud Mood, it ranks as one of the best. The rose here is far from sugary — it's more like the smoky, dark roses found in a shadowy greenhouse under a Turkish sultan's castle. Aswad is a complex, challenging fragrance. It's not easy to wear, but for those who dare, it carves a lasting mark on the senses. Opening note: 7 Sillage/Projection: 9+ Drydown: 8+ Longevity: 10- Blend/Composition: 8+ Versatility: 5 Uniqueness: 9 Value for money: 8 Bottle design/Aesthetics: 8+ Overall experience: 8 Blind-buy rating: 2+

What an absolutely stunning scent! In recent times I’ve been on the lookout for a rose/musk scent that I could wear as a guy, and this is it! My most immediate impression when I first sprayed this on was that it reminded me very much of David Yurman Limited Edition which is also a rose centric oud scent that’s very musky. The commonality especially being the type of the rose in both scents. The difference however being that the David Yurman scent is very smokey, where as this is not - which is perfect for my most immediate tastes! I also detected a slight amount of bubblegum in the top of this. It fades off quickly though, thank goodness as I can’t help but think that had it remained it would have narrowed the scents wearability of the broader market of potential partakers. I think the votes for the rose are bang on, this is extremely rose forward. However I’m baffled as to why there is so much allocation for oud in the note presentation. To my nose the oud is extremely backed out and sits as a very soft and perfectly balanced undercurrent which adds just enough masculinity that it makes it comfortably wearable for a guy. That said, this is entirely unisex and you must both appreciate and hold affection for florals to appreciate this scent, since it is well and truely rose forward. There is also a somewhat fresh vibe to the floral, almost wet. Despite being oud based, the scent is actually very clean smelling, and not because the oud is medicinal, it isn’t, but more because of the opulence and forthrightness of the floral. I also detect a good dose of musk in this which also makes it somewhat powdery. And with that comment I point out that in the manufactures description above, the first notes mentioned after the description of the oud is a ‘Sultry Musk’ which is exactly what I perceive as a notable undercurrent in this scent aside from the gorgeous rose and oud. An immediate love for me that holds its character beautifully for the full duration of the wear. It also lasts fantastically and maintains solid projection throughout. Super impressed and so glad I tried it. It will be getting a lot of use as spring arrives here.

Got this one as a present and mmh beautiful... it seems I've just found my next favorite rose-oud combo for the late autumn-winter season. I was very skeptical at the beginning, because I really didn’t like the OG Shaghaf Oud or the Azraq and Ahmar flankers although I’m a oud girlie. THIS ONE THO. Had to get a backup bottle. On first sniff It's sort of your typical middle eastern rosy mukhallat, but give it time and if fans out with some added spice, gorgeous incense and dark mystery! The perfume seems to me very well blended, gives an air of expensive niche quality. The rose in the beginning is punchy and somewhat cold but calms down after the first 15-20 minutes. The oud has an animatic dirty note especially at the beginning, but I wouldn't classify it as full-on fecal/barnyard. Compared this to Oud Ispahan and the oud there is way more skanky, offputtingly so. So don't worry too much if you're not a particular fan of fecal ouds - it is nearly undetectable by the coming through of the middle notes. Also compared to Kayali Oudgasm Rose Oud....they could be layered if you want a bit more sweetness and less churchy-ness. The longevity of this one is average on me with 5-6 hours, develops beautifully even in warmer days but I'd say it'll really come through during the scarf and tea weather. On my clothes I can easily smell it in the next day too, with some projection too. Spicy woody goodness! True unisex imho, family members are divided wether it’s more feminine or more masculine, but then again that’s personal preference - everyone should wear whatever they like. Both women and men can pull it off with confidence. But warning! Not a safe blind buy for people who dislike rose notes or those who aren't used to middle eastern fragrances.

This is a beautiful fragrance. I recently found and loved Shaghaf Oud, so I decided to give this one a try as well. First and foremost I do see some comparisons in the reviews between this and Shaghaf Oud, and I must say that apart from being from the same house, they are absolutely different to my nose. There is some crossover in notes, but they are completely different fragrances. The oud in SO is sharper, the rose is not so prominent. The oud in this one is softer (it's agarwood that's been sanded down to smoothness). The rose in this one is centre stage. SO is an oud fragrance with a touch of rose; Aswad is a rose fragrance with a touch of oud. The opening of Aswad is a bit loud- a bit jammy. Within about 2 mins it settles to a much softer rose as the leather note comes into play. The drydown is an elegant, soft, powdery roses on smooth leather. This leans feminine but can also work as unisex - it's sophisticated and clean. I see this one a well put-together classy woman on a cold day. If I had to draw comparables to this one, I would say that the opening is a bit like Rose D'Arabie. The drydown is 65% FM's Une Rose (the musky woody powdery rose vibes) and 35% MFK's Oud Satin Mood. So far I'm careful of when I wear my Middle Eastern scents because they can be strong - this one can easily be used every day and even amongst people who don't want to be slapped in the face with perfume (ie those who haven't been enlightened to the joys of fragrance yet 😁). I'd comfortably wear this to the office.