Rose Harvest by Henry Siddons Mowbray

I have been noticing a trend among the perfumista community that involves exploring the attars and perfume oils from the Middle East. There is a mystique about the ancient methods used to extract precious oils from flowers and woods. Images of rooms full of fresh-picked roses, distilling chambers loaded up to produce drops of oil. Attars, especially, seem to have a special allure. Usually dense and thick, with potent, exotic aromas, just a dab will keep you scented all day. A small label, Al Attar, has launched with two fragrances, Durra and Kaja, made with some of the finest essences available.

When I first tried Kaja, I was perplexed. The scent rising from my skin was cool, like mint, and I was shocked not to find mint in the notes. The ride that this scent took me on was really interesting. From the minty opening, to a slightly soapy, clean aroma, to a warm, spicy heart and back, I was surprised every time I put nose to wrist. Kaja is unlike any other scent I have tried in the genre; the idea of an attar smelling so clean almost doesn’t compute in my olfactory brain. I enjoy scents that have dichotomy like this one. The richer, slightly dirtier notes that peek out keep the perfume from sliding into a boring cleanliness. I recommend sampling this scent, because it is a really fascinating scent journey on skin.

Notes: Indian jasmine, Taif rose, amber, benzoin, vanilla, patchouli

Bride Arriving in a Village by Philippe Pavy

Durra is a bit more traditional, but still unique. The oud in the base comes shining through from the get-go, the earthy wet hay smell tempered by the bite of frankincense and softness of roses. Of the two fragrances, this was more comfortable to me, maybe because I am accustomed to the smell of oud, and the other ingredients are right in my wheelhouse. I also enjoyed the scent journey I was taken on through the life of this fragrance on my skin. Maybe because it has been gloomy and chilly, the fragrance offered comfort and familiarity, while still being exotic and exciting. It got a bit smoky along the way, with moments of honey and flowers. Again, I recommend trying Durra for your own olfactory experience.

Notes: Frankincense, taif rose, patchouli, saffron, musk, incense, spice, oud

Both of these scents have fairly close sillage, with intermittent stronger waft, and excellent longevity. As with most perfume oils and attars, just a drop or two is plenty, so even a small bottle will last a long time.

I received my samples from Luckyscent. Al Attar Kaja and Durra are available in 7.5 ml bottles for $225. Samples are available for $12.

Tama Blough, Senior Editor

Thanks to the folks at Luckyscent, we have a sample set of .3 mls of each fragrance for one lucky reader in the US. Let us know if you have tried any attars, and what appeals to you about these. Draw ends on February 16, 2014.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.