Azman Two Minutes After The Kiss (far right), Killer Vavoom (center) and Majnoon photo by Karl©
I was lured in by passion and originality. Early last year I had heard inklings on the fragrance grapevine that a new house, Azman, had an exciting approach. The brand enlisted a stellar cast of perfumers was making waves amongst aficionados. Writers whose opinions I trust began to wax lyrical about the compositions. My interest piqued I sought out the brand and was fortunate enough to receive the latest release. At that time, it was Azman Perfumes Killer Vavoom, the inventive mind behind the concept was Husen Baba (founder and owner) and the nose Miguel Matos. The scent sent me into an olfactive spin of which I am yet to come out from.
Husen Baba, courtesy of Azman Perfumes
Then came the summer of 2022, a chance meeting in the hallways of the MiMCo conference centre at Esxence (Milan) with Husen Baba where I was presented with a quirky matchbox containing the collection of samples of each perfume. Husen is an engaging person, given his accomplishments in the advertising world one could expect him to present as flamboyant. However here was a humble gentleman dressed casually in trademark baseball hat and black sports gear. I was immediately struck by how engaging, genuine and passionate about Azman he was and at his ability to discuss many other aspects of life with ease.
Fast forward and Azman seems on the crest of a wave in 2023. The word is out, the perfumes are impactful, and the names and presentation create a sense of intrigue and butterflies prior to spritzing them. Smelling them conjures specific images in one’s mind and each has its own signature – all demonstrate high quality materials. My task for this article was to choose only three as a way of exploring the highlights of Azman, this was not an easy decision to make. For the uninitiated, I wanted a crowd pleaser, a mind blower and a challenging composition. So, without further ado here are my choices.
Azman Two Minutes After The Kiss by Karl©
Azman Two Minutes After The Kiss (Cristiano Canali) 2021: What a splendid name for a perfume! To me it evokes that blush of emotions one feels when overcome by the intimacy of tenderness, so a rose / oud profile is extremely befitting. Bravo. While the scent profile is very familiar and a gentle introduction to Azman Perfumes, Two Minutes After The Kiss holds a few surprises that make it stand out from its peers. My skin seems to expose verdant and woody aspects of fragrances and here the deep and lush Turkish Rose is complimented with Guatemalan Cardamom which brings across a crisp and medicinal quality which I did not expect. This gives the perfume a chypre vibe and steers it clear of being a cloying and overly sweet scent. French Beeswax underpins the rose and serves up a rendering of golden amber tonality and is a beautiful juxtaposition to the cardamom. The performance of Azam Two Minutes After The Kiss is exceptional and one can attribute this to the generous amounts of Ambrocenide in the base it has a stealthy effusive quality which ensures that you will be noticed. The dark leather accord and soft florals at play are delicately balanced and the Laos Oud links smoothly with the accompanying notes to give an edginess, keeping the medicinal and earthy aspects to the fore.
Notes: Turkish rose, Jamaican pepper, Omani frankincense, Guatemala cardamom, Turkish rose absolute, Laos oud, Indonesian patchouli, Somalian myrrh, French beeswax, selectone, Indian sandalwood, Haitian vetiver, dark leather accord, Spanish labdanum, musk, ambrocenide.
Azman Killer Vavoom by Karl©
Azman Perfumes Killer Vavoom (Miguel Matos) 2022: For those who follows our articles closely will recognise that Azman Killer Vavoom made my top ten of 2002 selection (as well as Editor-in-Chief Michelyn Camen’s). It had such an impact on me that I consider it will be a staple in my collection for years to come. Perfumer Miguel Matos has created something truly outstanding and utterly unique. From beginning to end Killer Vavoom had me gripped with its chypre construction and lip-smacking gourmand and creamy elements. It sparks the senses with molten chocolate and plum, the floral eastern tones of osmanthus, jasmin and iris concrete usher in a deeply sensual experience. It is rich and decadent and feels like an entry to something forbidden and very daring. The skill required to carry through the original opening of boozy fruitiness right the way to the end of the wearing experience is something to behold. The finale of Killer Vavoom is a deft amalgamation of slightly leathery, sweet and cocooning tones which are mouth-watering and leave an imprint of sultriness on the skin. Just magnificent.
Notes: Bergamot, Plum, Chocolate, Osmanthus, Iris, Rose, Jasmine, Ambrette, Amber, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Musk, Leather, Vanilla
Azman Majnoon by Karl©
Azman Perfumes Majnoon (Prin Lomros) 2022: Pour me a glass of Merlot, light me a cigar and be done with it, Azman Majnoon is a huge statement of a scent. I have heard the coffee note heralded as the centrepiece of Majnoon (it can be found) but on my skin it is more of a harmony of boozy reddish fruits, smoky and leathery tones, and a swirl of ouds (Trat and Assam). The sweeter gourmand aspects of nutmeg, cinnamon, coffee absolute and tonka glide softly in and out of the experience. However, the overarching feel is a silky dark and growling panther of a perfume. I would not consider Majnoon to have the typical top, mid, base structure. Rather it morphs between boozy animalic, leathery and soft florals. The nagarmotha is quite prominent and acts to fuse the cinnamon and woods tying the composition together as a hybrid scent of complex and bold proportions.
Notes: Pomegranate, Saffron, Clove, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Coffee Absolute, Champaca, Rose, Leather, Tobacco, Tonka Bean, Nagarmotha, Oud from Thailand (Trat), Oud from India (Assam), Patchouli, Amber, Incense, Vanilla
Karl Topham, Senior Editor and U.K. Brand Ambassador
Azman Perfumes kindly sent to Karl for review purposes. Opinions are his own.
Please Read: Azman Majnoon Review by Nicoleta Tomsa, Two Minutes After The Kiss and Azman I am Darkness Review by Lauryn Beer
Azman Majnoon Killer Vavoom and Two Minutes After The Kiss by Karl©
Thanks to the generosity of Azman Perfumes we have a 50ml bottle of your choice of Azman Two Minutes After The Kiss, Killer Vavoom or Majnoon for one registered reader in the EU, USA, UK, UAE. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying why you wish to try Azman Perfumes, which fragrance piques your interest, which you would like to win and what intrigues you about Karl’s three and where you live. Draw closes 3/7/2023.
Azman Killer Vavoom received Michelyn’s 2022 Best Independent House as well as her Top 10 of 2022, Karl as well, Nicoleta awarded Majnoon Top 10 of 2022, Lauryn awarded I am Darkness Best of 2022.
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