Barkhane

My sample arrived today as well. I used it sparingly on my forearms, frightened of too much wood, but I can totally see myself wearing this, it's a gem. So vast, so encompassing. I can love this. Berkhane stands out, but it's also not in your face with its allure, pleasant - in a daringly individual way. I would call it a distinctly herbal oriental chypre. The spices are dry and not overpowering. Berkhane is (especially at the beginning) spicy, then later soft, woody, and yes, warm, and to my surprise, and after the strong fresh & herbal opening, sits close to the skin and is at ease there. A library of a scent. It doesn't stay too long, but it never turns its back. Doors open, doors close. It lingers. It shows itself when asked. I expected it to smell like a male perfume to me, and it doesn't. I want to wear this, and I am a woman. Barkhane is never fruity, but it's sweet early on, in the first half hour I was for a moment reminded of the sweetness of a Persimmon, a simple sugary note. Then herbal, not artificial. Right from the start I'm glad about how well the spices, the vetiver and the myrrh balance the geranium and bergamot. The geranium didn't turn rosy on my skin, in fact I can't detect anything overtly floral, but this fragrance has a real heart. The cumin is fantastic, it's so soft as to be almost invisible, yet it acts as the frame and keeps it together with a soft, soft hand. I am not transported to a bazaar of spices, instead I am reminded of the salt and hot wood of a sauna, but it's walking from near water to one, alone, expecting the dry heat, anticipating it, and smelling the rich hot woods that are awaiting. This perfume is like the luxury of feeling at ease and at home in your own body; the pure luxury of that. The greyish white of hot steam, shadows on dark wood, dark green. But it's not sweaty, it's dry. The herbal vetiver isn't getting to my head, but the composition is unfurling like smoke, a wonderful myrrh, mesmerizing in its beauty. It gets even softer over time, the top bergamot note takes a step behind the others, never having been one to scream for attention from the start. The vanilla appears, the skin-like musk dancing with it, waving and undulating. Then Tonka is there to support, to give a background, a history. It becomes softer and vaster. No leather, instead airy and open. The patchouli is a vision, the Oud stands its ground. There they are, the dunes that this perfume is named after, the hot sand waves. Used sparingly, it's not heady, I don't get any toffee, no nuts, it doesn't glow for me, but it somehow manages to be dark and white at the same time. Berkhane is a magnificently blended perfume, it's extremely intruigingly comfortable, not biding its time and neither caring about differences nor drawers. It is. Modern? Maybe, depends on what you want to find. Light or heavy is neither here nor there for Berkhane. The notes appear and take a step back. Hours in, I still detect something citrusy, the Myrrh watching, lightly. Berkhane is a soft spoken one. I want to answer "well done" to all the questions it asks, but it's keeping some answers secret itself. Vibrant, yes, but not overtly lively. Mighty in its own pace. Spectacular in its understated intelligence. * I got several compliments wearing this, men and women alike. One even said that I wore it well. However, it's not for those who don't enjoy patchouli, even as I find the patchouli in this to be splendidly modified with vetiver and myrrh.

Thank you fragantica for this lovely sample. My initial impression was that it reminded me of an earthy, woody tea. I ran about the house and must have washed it off, as I did not get much of an impression after that. The second time I tried it, I found it perhaps a bit strong, which is interesting as the first time I did not smell it much at all. So today I decided to actually take the time to sit with this beauty and understand it. And what I realized is that this is a master piece. A true work of art that evokes and becomes one with you, and whatever your story may be, rather than make a statement that is linear and on its own. This fragrance is a memory. And THAT has got to be one of the most moving experiences for a perfumista and why I love the art of perfumery so much. The opening is absolutely fabulous. Vanilla does not get anymore authentic than this. This is the scent of vanilla bean when it is fresh and woody, when it's sweetness is more like a tobacco leaf than the liquor like extract. It reminds me very much of very fine vanilla beans that were used in a photo shoot for a food magazine where a friend worked. They allowed her to bring home the vanilla, and I put several in a silk sachet and gave them to my step daughter. Years later, the little sachet and vanilla beans still smell of the sweet earth, just fainter. This is what the opening smells like. Just underneath this one can sense the labdanum here and there. Not outright. But the occasional whiff. There is something very warm, comforting, and earthy to this composition. Something like sipping a hot cup of rooibos tea. I feel as if I am delighting in the rawness of authentic ingredients. Not overwhelmed by synthetics but rather, appreciation for the subtlety of nature. That being said, it is not a skin scent. It certainly projects and no more than a dab is needed to enjoy. When the heart comes out, I get whiffs of the curry spices. Not so much the cumin, although I do get but the faintest occasional whiff, but what I get is perhaps the sweetness of something like turmeric. A dry sweetness. Such as one would expect when smelling the spices in a curry when still dry, and no creams or moisture has been added yet. This is also when the myrrh really shines. This is real, Catholic Church, myrrh. Absolute flashback! But always tempered by that vanilla bean. Keeping it warm. Safe. The memories are more like impressions of laying on a mothers shoulder during mass. Completely unaware of the surroundings other than it is safe. Warm. And the aromas of the surroundings are really what becomes ingrained in memory. That being said. This fragrance is in no way more feminine than it is masculine. Rather. It is truly the scent of comfort, impressions, sleepy memories, and places you can only recall in those moments between wakefulness and sleep. Upon the dry down, I do catch the very light aroma of vetiver. The vanilla bean remains throughout. The labdanum is still present, as is the lovely vanilla bean. Although not listed, there is a faint amber in the dry down. I do not find this fragrance animalic at all. Rather it is quite sweet and still spicy. It is not linear and evolves beautifully. 5/5 I would love to purchase a bottle of this. Edit: @ClaudiaA Wow I just read your review and I see we get the same impressions!! This does not smell like rooibos yet. I imagined myself sipping it. Very interesting!

When Barkhane arrived a few days ago I was very happy as I was wishing to test this candidate quite badly. "Oriental-spicy" is right up my alley. So far, so good. I dabbed on the first drop of Barkhane and let a few seconds pass so that the liquid could dry. My nose went closer and closer to the back of my hand where Barkhane waited....first impression : Wow, this is just what I hoped it would be. Spicy with nutmeg, coriander and cinnamon, luscious with a small hint of oud in the background, medium sweetness, not overpowering. On me the scent turned into a slightly powdery oriental, the spiciness never fades but will be supplemented by vanilla later. I was a bit worried about the cumin mentioned in the notes but luckily I did not notice any. No sweaty armpit note, no harsh medicinal wafts, just a sexy "Sheherazade" scent with the feel of 1001 nights waiting for me. I like scents that transport a story to me. A fairytale, a love-story or simply an adventure. Barkhane certainly is a story-teller. Longevity is medium (my skin swallows even eau de parfum like nothing) on me but that is no issue for me. I like refreshing a scent in the late afternoon so that I can enjoy it again with its top notes. Sillage is decent but not overwhelming. However, I would nonetheless be careful with the dosage, like with all orientals. What makes Barkhane unique amongst so many other nice oriental fragrances out there ? It is soft and refined despite some crispy spices involved. I mainly wear quite strong scents and find this one refreshingly light (in comparison to Montale ́s Black Aoud or Sahara Noir i.e.). It will not punch you down to the ground, it will accompany the wearer on par. Unisex ? By all means, yes. Enjoy !

Love this! his is totally up mu alley! Very warm rich amber that reminds me to SL Ambre Sultan. AS is deff more dense and sweeter, while Barkhane is slightly lighter (tho it still feels like a dense perfume) and more in the woody side, so i would say slightly more masculine, tho it is totally wereable for ladies as well. The oud, which is hardly there, adds a tiny tiny bit of sourness when it dries down, which tones down the sweetness just a tad. The labdanum also adds a tiny bit of powdery softenss, but overall the "main" feeling it gives you is that dense, slightly herbal (less herbal than Ambre Sultan for sure), sweet, spiced up warm and rich amber. I am not saying both perfumes are identical, but they deifnately fall among the same category and give a very similar vibe. Lets say they are close relatives haha! Sharing a central string of DNA which is adorned differently for each of them. It might not be very original, but it is deff a very nice amber-resins perfume, perfect for autumn and winter. Thank you for the sample both Fragantica and Teo Cabanel!

Upon opening Barkhane reminded me so much of Ambre Narguile, a perfume I just paid like $300 for. I could have slapped myself! The sweetness, spices, and tobacco are simply mesmerizing. With some time however, the perfumes become very different. While Ambre Narguile becomes like sweet tobacco, Barkhane becomes more strictly a play-do amber, which I really like, but is not as remarkable as Ambre Narguile. Still I love Barkhane. It is not so sweet in the drydown and does not smell like curry to me in the least. Smells herbal and dry, not gourmand. I see a comparison to another expensive one I own, Oriental Lounge. I can appreciate the comparison. They are both strong in amber and they have the curry tree note. I find OL to be smoother and a bit floral. The amber doesn't smell like play-do. I think OL smells slightly more synthetic. In Barkhane you can really smell the spices more readily. I prefer Barkhane. Highly recommended for those who love Middle Eastern spices and are tired of rose.

I've got to say that I really don't understand how several people can complain about this not lasting. It does last, it just changes from head & heart to base notes. I apply it behind my ears and at the base of my neck, as well as on my arms (I have combination skin, but don't use moisturiser on these parts), and I've received compliments five hours in, it's obviously still there, and I can smell the tiny bits on my arm where I applied it when moving my arms. After eight hours, it's just the base, but what does "just" mean in this context anyway - this is a gorgeous perfume. Barhkane lasts, it just really goes through the phases, and the end is beautiful, but of course different from the start. It's not just a "skin scent" at the end, it's lovely, myrrh and tonka still playing with the musk and oud.

Another rewiev from a lucky winner :) Teo Cabanel says: amber wood, what I say: amber forest. After the first blast of refreshing bergamot the woody notes accompaigned by geranium and coriandere start to be prominent. And then suddenly cumin+myrth+civet join hinting on the animal, hence the forest rather (with animals) then wood. Do not get me wrong, as many reviewers wrote before me, this is just a tiny bit of dirty animal, a glance into the path which leads to the dark part of the forest... But Barkhane doesn't take this path and leads you stright out into the sunny and warm vanila+tonka+patchuli terytory. Very enjoyable, very wearable, tempted me into ordering the Teo Cabanel discovery set (which btw is very reasonably priced + free shipping in EU)

This is on no. 1 from my top 3 scents from the house. (Jaspe and Oha being the other two). If I would ever have a chance to create my own perfume, I would probably choose the same note breakdown. Except for the note of "curry"🌿 which I never thought could be used in perfumery! Barkhane is an incense, woody oriental unisex fragrance with a strong dark base of Myrrh (gives this church feel🏺 ), oud, and musk. This makes the scent very mysterious and inviting. It's very well balanced and smells of high quality! It can be worn by anyone and in any season so it gets 10 on 10 on the versatility!

Got this as a sample I love the way it smells . It smells sweet and sultry perfect for a date night or some sort of romantic meeting or just every day usage ( especially if you want to make a good impression. I love how it is sweet and spicy but inoffensive to people who are not big fans of florals and more light and powdery scents like my mom.I am currently working on buying a full bottle seeing as it has been one of the perfumes that I love only reason I didn't is because I forgot I had it and loved it.

A really lovely myrrh scent. There is a little sweetness from the tonka bean and labdanum in the background. I already own Xerjoff Ivory Route and familiar with Empire Cuir Russe. If it has a similarity with any fragrance then I would say AG Myrrh Ardente. This is very vaguely similar to Ivory Route and CR. This is first and foremost a myrhh scent. Very unisex. I can't say it develops much. It's a shame the longevity is so poor. It's a lovely scent. It retracts back to a skin scent in minutes.

i find this much less an amber than a warm, dry, spiced woods scent. Many people smelling it have commented on my “sandalwood perfume” and indeed it gives a definite impression of sandalwood despite there being none listed in the notes. The resins-tonka-vanilla base in this does not make for an appreciably sweet accord, but does warm up and smooth out the woods and spices. Very lovely, totally unisex — though not the rich amber I was searching for!

This is quite a unique perfume. The curry leaf note gives it a very distinct quality. The amber note is tempered and very pleasant. It manages to last over a very long period of time without starting off with overbearing projection. There is also a very interesting evolution of notes and accords throughout this period of time. I'm very pleased to have been one of the winners. Many Thanks to Teo Cabanel and Fragrantica.

One of my favs from Teo Cabanel. If Ambre Sultan was too much for you try this. This is absolutely stunning. Such a beautiful blend of all the notes and a must have for the fall. I dont get the citrus much but do get a hint of tobaaco too although I dont see it in the notes. The spices are great but not too overpowering. The downfall is the longevity, I cant smell it after an hour which is a shame.

I can’t get Forty Thieves by Fort and Manle out of my mind with Barkhane by Teo Cabanel. It’s not the same, but so similar it’s remarkable. Both are just beautiful and one doesn’t replace the other. I own a full bottle of Forty Thieves and it’s not going to stop me purchasing Barkhane. The amber is so complex and truely unisex. Exceptional and certainly evokes the tale of Aladdin and magic carpets.

mmmmmmmmmmmm, I love this! It is very spicy and elegant, sweet and woody, what a subtle contrasts! It starts with a lot of woody Amber patchouli scents, taken over by the Tonka bean, vanilla and spices,The labdanum gives a fresh almost medical red cross desert breeze all over it while the mirrh bind these scents all perfectly together! Compliment!

Heavy without being cloying. Spicy without crossing the border of edible gourmands (will not be joining Angel there). Warm and sweet without becoming sleezy sexy. In not so many words: great balance. Truly unisex. Perfect for winter as it brings, like a desert wind, the far away smells, impressions, memories... Happy traveling!

what can i say about barkhane? a perfect winter scent! this perfume does not overpower... it's soft, sensual and oh yes, very pleasant; something which does not make me dizzy or light-headed. thanks to the sample kit i am able to enjoy this fabulous perfume and i strongly considering to get myself a bottle! magnificant!

This is a dark, smoky, mysterious fragrance but it has a very subtle, very seductive invitation, carried with the musk and the cumin. I was expecting to read more wood notes, or even a bit of tobacco in the notes, but this is resins and hushed spices.

عطري بسيار خوش بو و ادويه اي كه عربي هم نيست اما حيف كه پخش بوي اون بسيار كم هست.ماندگاري خوبي هم نداره. بوی سمغ در این عطر از بهترینهای این بو هست و با وجود اینکه در نوتهای این عطر تنباکو نیست اما تدایی بوی شیک تنباکو و توتون داره.

I really liked it and I don't feel it's too masculine. It's very rich and warm, I love Dune from Dior (before its reformulation) and this perfume somehow reminds it. I should say that I would buy it, it's gorgeous..

It's beautiful. everything else has been said by others.. It hints at SDV

Barkhane is good. Very good in fact. But not great. To explain: maybe I'm demanding too much of it because I'd read about it being a nearly-Mitzah; and to make a Mitzah smell alike at the much more reasonable Cabanel price point would have been an all-time coup. Of course that didn't happen: Barkhane is way airier, lighter and more transparent than Mitzah, without the Dior's gorgeous swaggering richness. But Barkhane still has a lot of charm and once you lay the comparison aside, it sticks up for itself with real character. I smelled what I thought was immortelle with creeping unease but it must have been the very slight tinge of curry leaf, on me very present, but not at all obnoxious, just making the amber accord drier and more savoury. It's a beautifully opulent, yet sheer and translucent, kaleidoscope of warm, dry, resinous oriental notes, never clashing but really deep and jewel-like, just a beautiful intricate geometric repeating pattern. Warm and light, really does conjure light sands drifting around the edges of a spice market in the wisps of a warm trade wind. For me the cumin's very present, not bitter but nutty and dusty, and that might not work for the cuminophobes. The whole assemblage REALLY reminds me most strongly of L'Artisan's Al Oudh. Perfectly unisex for those who love this kind of shifting-sand turf. For me, while it's not linear, its different phases aren't madly exciting either - the whole dry down process is sadly just a matter of the more interesting spices ebbing and general warm vanilla-and-tonka gentleness remaining. So while it's lovely it couldn't do the full Valentino-as-the-Sheikh and sweep me off my feet. Really unfairly I just kept thinking 'I wish it was as rich and rounded as Mitzah'. So sorry messieurs Cabanel - your work deserves plenty of respect. But Barkhane just couldn't pull me all the way in; would wear any time, joyfully, yet somehow I don't want to rush out and buy it. Absolutely worth exploring for any fan of rich myrrh-heavy orientals though.

A very well put together fragrance. I was the lucky winner of a sample of Barkhane. My initial impression was a classy well put together spicy and sweet fragrance that is truly unisex. I don't find this super masculine but I do feel both sexes could wear it comfortably. I absolutely get Patchouli in this as well as what appears to be honey and the other notes listed I also smell in the background. I might compare this slightly to Prada's intense. Although the two are not amazingly alike they do share some similarities. Barkhane feels like a well done well rounded perfume. I would even enjoy this on my husband. Personally I doubt I would purchase a bottle for myself as I tend to go a tad more feminine but my overall opinion is this is a very rich, classy and extremely well put together unisex spicy fragrance. Thank you Fragrantica for picking me and allowing me to sample this fine fragrance.

Barkhane opens with a bright, spicy mint note that I definitely wasn't expecting. Soon after, it warms up into a rich and spicy concoction where it's difficult to pick out all the players. As shocking as the opening is, it eventually becomes a gorgeous skin scent. The patchouli is pretty dominant in the beginning, along with the myrr. There are little hints of spice that play along with them as well. I'm guessing that little bite to it is the curry and cumin. I could see this one being easily worn by either gender due to the subtlety. Soon after, the tonka, wood and vanilla add a hint of sweetness without being overpowering. I would say this is the perfect fragrance for colder weather. The drydown has some resemblance to Hermes L'Ambre De Merveilles, with it's rich amber, vanilla and patchouli notes.

I received my sample today, thank you Fragrantica & Lucky Scent! Sniffing from the bottle this smelled very masculine to me so I asked my husband to try it. He put two dabs on his wrists, and two on his neck. I REALLY like it on him! It started out slightly sharp/spicy, but very well blended. I worried the curry and cumin would be foody, but they aren't. I think they, plus the geranium and vetiver come together and give it a spice kick so it doesn't become too sweet. The patchouli isn't singularly noticeable on my husband, either. It is very warm, ambery, and slightly sweet. The silage stays quite close, but spraying may make it bolder. I think it is an ideal masculine scent for cool weather. It's refined and pleasing, and maybe for a more mature wearer. I think it's quite cuddly, too!

at first i think "oh no". as it reminds me of strong 80s perfumes. but it settles down and i get an amber with a minty minty and spice . there is definately woody going on. then you can pick up the incense and its not strong, its like a smooth mild incense. at that time i get the vanilla and tonka too. reminds me of a holiday fragnrance, like a christmas fragrance. i totally think it smells like an egyptian tomb. like not with dead people, but like if they are prepping the tomb and are burning incense and have heavy lined eyes. a rich warm fragrance. my husband thinks it is really unisex. he likes it but he thinks it smells generic. i like it but i think if the spice was more and the incense was less then it would be more up my alley. nice though.

On application I'm getting a warm amber scent but not a thick or heavy amber. It's more light and transparent due to the added citrus note of bergamot. Behind this light warm and almost watery amber you can pick up other notes like myrrh, geranium and other notes. But they weave a subtle tapestry. Also the oud in this gives the scent a really nice exotic freshness that I have smelled before. But it's lightly done. I have to say this is a very lovely and classy light amber scent. If I was going out to the opera or a fine restaurant then this scent would be a good choice.

A truly warm and spicy fragrance! Starts with beautiful spices - I swear I can get a bit of cardamom in there apart from the cumin (and no bergamot). I also get a lot of patchouli and a whiff of rum. The oud is very subtle, while the sweet undertone (vanilla and probably the tonka bean, I don't have much experience with this ingredient) becomes quite overpowering after a few minutes. I don't love this fragrance, but I really enjoy the masterful blend of beautiul ingredients. It's a perfect match for colder weather.

I got my sample today! It starts very spicy, woody, balsamic and needs about 3 min to open its gorgeously warm, vanilla-tonka bean heart. It stays very close to the skin and keeps me warm like a cashemire coat. I think it ́s perfect for cold days, winter time, evenings and is really a unisex fragrance. Thank you fragrantica once again and greetings from Berlin, Germany!

Fragrantica and Lucky Scent, thank you so much for the sample! I love it! It is gorgeous and transports me to desert with caravans carrying fragrant spices. It reminded me of discontinued Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque and in the same style as Tauer L'Air du Desert Marocain. It does not smell the same as above fragrances but conjures similar images.

Nice fragrance I don’t think there’s a fragrance out there that I’ve smelled that smells like this fragrance. This fragrance has this oud note that gives off a boozy vibe and I am experienced with oud it’s a part of my culture. I would say this fragrances is very mature leaning.

Woody, aromatic, resinous. Grand Soir's more aromatic and balsamic cousin, with less of that thick creamy sweetness. Something here smells like cypress to me but it's probably just the spice blend. Personally i find this leans a tad masculine. Ideal for cold weather.

More for a man, this spicy oriental perfume is nice for fall and winter. Warm, I can smell myrrh, cardamon and vetiver. I do not smell vanilla. The oud is the background is present. 8/10 for my husband. My favorite perfume for a man in this brand (2021)

bit bug spray on first spray then the myrrh, labdanum, tonka, curry, cumin oud, vetiver and patchouli play ball; balsamic and creamy but also a bit harsh and herbal dancing with the notes that usually are sweet and creamy

This fragrance smells like a mix of two fragrances I own which are Xerjoff Monkey special and Amouage jubilation man XXV Don’t believe me ? then go try and test side by side it’ll give you the same line of smell

Thanks so much Fragrantica and LuckyScent for opportunity to sample this beautiful fragrance! To me it is a nice, warm and spicy winter scent. I really like it & would consider buying a bottle of this perfume!

This reminds me of Hermesscence Ambre Narguile and Brecourt Haram, but it is more woody and less sweet.

A OK version of Ambre Sultan, it needs to be spray on fabric / too light on skin

Barkhane is what I would consider a relatively crude attempt at a myrrh fragrance - it’s a little rough around the edges and lacks overall flair. It’s still pleasant enough, but as myrrh scents go it’s nowhere near the best out there. The myrrh itself is unfortunately quite harsh and spiky, which is possibly being caused by the presence of cumin, however it does develop a lovely enveloping, rich warmth in the base by way of labdanum, tonka, vanilla and patchouli which is at once sweet, earthy and inviting. Whilst it’s not a bad scent, I just don’t find myself loving it because of that spiky facet. I adore myrrh as a note, when it’s done well. Considering for roughly the same money you could get yourself Ambre Sultan, Bengale Rouge or Myrrhe & Encens Mystérieux, I would pass on this and look towards those three which are phenomenal.

Smooth & gentle vanilla amber. No twists&turns, just a very pleasant scent. I don‘t see myself wearing it, but would make a lovely interior scent in a candle or reed diffuser. I will spray the rest of my sample on my curtains&pillows.

A lot of amber, myrrh - it has a slightly vintage smell (something like sour, spicy, heavy) One of my least liked in the discovery set because I cant appreciate this style of blend yet

It's a decent amber fragrance. Smells like Ambre D'Alexandrie to me.

Erdő illata van. Férfias nekem inkább. Herbális, friss, púderes.

Honeyed ambery oud....nothing special to me !

a beautiful patchouli, earthy, woody.

Warm spicy indeed ... but only for few minutes I tried it several times to be sure: the lasting is almost inexistent in 15 minutes is totally vanishing off from my skin. Silage is inexistent from the beginning. I find it unacceptable for a niche parfume, another minus is that the dose of alcohol is really high.

It's barely resinous but incredibly citrusy on my skin. Sour, definitely not the smooth myrrh I enjoy. Longevity and sillage are non-existent as well, pass!

Kinetisphere, I wrote to Teo Cabanel (practiced my French, yay!) a week ago and last night I received the sample. I hope everyone will get theirs soon. What can I say, it is magnificent and well blended. The opening is quite aromatic and spicy, but the balmy and incense notes are present from the start. Myrrh is strongly pronounced, perhaps even a bit too well in the middle notes. It gives me the impression that Barkhane has ambiance, it is somehow detached from the idea of perfume as something that compliments a human being. A bit remote, spectacular in its detachment, albeit warm in character. I believe other reviewers refer to this stage as the "church" reminiscence. This feeling lasts a good hour, then Barkhane moves into the more secure territory of vanilla and tonka bean dominated warmth with a touch of spiciness. The fragrance is overall a dry one, not creamy or particularly amber-musky, nor too sweet. I detect no pachouli, thankfully. Or is it part of the aromatic opening and the woody background along with oud which I could not discern as well? I am not sure. For me it is more on the masculine side of unisex, although I enjoyed wearing it lightly. I will try layering as well, but I do not see myself wearing it often. The lasting power is excellent, the projection softens a bit with time. While it is not entirely something I have never smelled before, it is easy to tell that it has been carefully crafted with fine ingredients, so that the perfume stands its ground. I would love to try other scents from Teo Cabanel, I have my eye on Meloe. Barkhane reminded me of Estee Lauder Sensuous Noir - a variation on a similar woody incense theme, alas, drowned in pachouli. Also a bit of Hermes Elixir des Merveilles.

First, I would like to thank TEO CABANEL for their generosity and Lucky Scent for this wonderful sample. It is much appreciated and a real treat! If you've read any of my reviews, you may have noticed that I don't get into the interplay between the notes and the alchemy of ingredients. Other reviewers are really good at that and likely do a better job than I would. Instead, I choose to focus on the associations the fragrance brings to mind or the appropriateness of their use. Obviously these are just my opinions of course, as I am not an expert or a nose. But, when I saw the ingredient list here and began to intellectualize and ponder ingredients, I got worried. I was scared that the "cumin" and "curry" would have me smelling like Mid-Eastern or Indian food. Not only that, but other fragrances I've sniffed with "cumin" in them smell like body oder. So I waited to wear this while at home, not planning to go out in public, just in case. "I have done my fellow man a disservice by doing so," because they missed out on smelling this wonderful fragrance! I was delighted to find that this Barkhane isn't BO'ish at all! While it has a slight animalic under-tone, it is mostly warm, a little dry & woodsy, with a nice subtle, vanilla-ambery sweetness. Maybe the bergamot and geranium neutralized some of that bite from the spices? Over-all it a nice smooth composition, with nothing too overpowering, unlike some eastern inspired fragrances. I think this is an oriental fragrance that can be equally at home in cool and hot weather. Barkhane really does bring to mind Arabian adventures and mystery, without leaving you smelling like a Shawarma or a Gyro. This is a fabulous scent!

I have worn this beauty for 3 days and nights now and I really like it. It has been growing on me steadily. I ordered a full bottle and it's not too expensive, which is wonderful! I love the first notes when you put it on and the juice is still wet on your skin. It smells like a Guerlain with heavy boozy vanilla and tonka in its first moments on your skin. That hooked me initially and I found that I love the rest of the scent's development as well. It is soft, dry and heavy on the myrrh and spice. The resins are deep and salty but not as warm as some ambers. This is more like a veil of labdanum and resins. As the fragrance develops, I smell the bergamot not as a separate note but as a balance to the deep spices. The curry tree notes do not smell like curry powder. It's more of a cinnamony type smell and the cumin is done with a light hand as well. This is the best myrrh scent I have found. Most seem to be too heavy and the myrrh seems to end up with a bitter note. Not so here. This is not a sweet scent, as in gourmand sweet, but it is soft and caressing. The longevity of this scent is good- I wore it to bed one evening and woke up the next morning with still a good skin scent remaining, soft and spicy and delicious. I had originally thought this scent had little sillage but I was wrong about that. I had just not put enough of it on my body in the initial tests. When I wore it to work for the first time I got 2 compliments the minute I walked in the door. One person told me, "You smell like a million dollars." I'll take that any day! Thank you, M. Latty. I think I have found the perfect medium sillage amber that I can wear to work.