Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud (Christian Provenzano) 2025 + Desert Night Giveaway

Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud

Image of Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud by Karl©

When a pre-launch of Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud was presented to me at Esxence 2025, I paused. There are brands one respects professionally, and then there are brands one adores. For me, Astrophil & Stella has long occupied that latter category. Their manifesto—fusing poetic metaphor with rigorous composition—feels less like a marketing conceit and more like a philosophy: scent as narrative, art as communion, the cosmos as a backdrop for human intimacy.

Christian Provenzano perfumer

Christian Provenzano courtesy of the perfumer.

Composed by Christian Provenzano, Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud is not a quiet sequel to the 2021 original—it is its bold crescendo. I first encountered it at Esxence in the heady swirl of industry air, but it was later, when the bottle came home with me, that its full architecture revealed itself. Of all I have encountered this year, it stands as one of my favourite discoveries—a composition that brings the Nabati story into fuller, more tactile relief. Where Nabati traced the cadence of Bedouin oral poetry in mineral strokes and soft spices, Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud steps into darker terrain. The oud is unapologetically central—smouldering, dense, but never overwhelming. Provenzano’s structure allows it to rise and resonate, surrounded by ornament but never obscured.

The opening is alive: rum-laced saffron, cardamom, star anise and ambrette grain flared with sea salt and citrus. It’s immediate, textured, and generous. Then the heart arrives—rose and iris tangled with davana, softened by water, gripped by leather. The oud here is not a gesture—it is the gravity around which everything orbits. The drydown, long and expressive, drapes the skin in amber, patchouli, sandalwood and cedar, touched with the dry shimmer of vetiver and a low hum of vanilla.

Nabati Oud by Astrophil & Stella

Image of Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud by Karl©

Astrophil & Stella’s manifesto speaks of cosmic dualities, human longing, and mythic entanglements. What I have always admired—and continue to find confirmed—is their refusal to dilute that vision. Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud is not a departure from the original narrative, but an amplification of it. The voice is louder now. The dusk has become night. The poetry has shifted register. This collaboration with Christian Provenzano is instinctive. His ability to shape resins and woods into structures of emotional weight is precisely what Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud demands. Together, they have delivered a fragrance that expands the brand’s identity while remaining rooted in its founding poetics.

At Esxence, amidst the saturation of newness, Nabati Oud cut through—resonant, immediate, magnetic. And now, in the quietude of home, it continues to reveal new tonalities. It’s a scent I reach for when I want gravity. There’s theatre in it, yes—but no pretense. It wears like a garment of memory: fragrant, textured, and haunting.

Image of sunset into night courtesy of Unsplash.

There is movement here—sunset into night, ink into voice. Unlike many oud-driven compositions that lean on predictability, Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud has articulation. Its story builds. Its silences speak. As someone who writes not simply about fragrance but about what fragrance remembers, I can say this: Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud is an expansion, not a revision. It takes what was hinted at in Nabati and speaks it aloud, unflinching. It is one of the most significant releases I’ve experienced this year—not because it demands attention, but because it holds it.

In a market chasing novelty, Astrophil & Stella have done something more difficult: they’ve taken a story worth telling and dared to speak it again, louder.

Top Notes: Ambrette, Bergamot, Star Anise, Saffron, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Rum, Heart Notes: Orris, Turkish Rose, Leather, Oud, Davana, Aquatic Accord; Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Vetiver, Amber, Oud

Karl Topham, Senior Editor.

Nabati Oud by Astrophil & Stella

 

courtesy of the brand

Thanks to the largess of Astrophil & Stella we have a 50 ml tester of Nabati Oud for one registered reader (USA & EU). To be eligible, please leave a comment describing what strikes you about Astrophil and Stella Nabati Oud based on Karl’s review, and where you live. Draw closes 6/26/2025.

Astrophil & Stella Nabati was featured in Karl’s review here. Please enjoy Karl’s review of Astrophil & Stella Madame M and Shanghai 1930.

Enjoy Lauryn’s review of Sweet Pulp. Read Olya’s review of Paris Cheri here and J’s review of A Night at the Opera.

Astrophil and Stella In Extremis was a Best of Scent 2024 for Michelyn and Karl

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51 comments

  • Vladimir says:

    Karl’s review excels in its rich, evocative language, treating the perfume not just as a scent but as a narrative art form highlighting the perfume’s bold, unapologetic oud while praising Christian Provenzano’s masterful talent that allows it to shine without being overwhelming. The detailed breakdown of the notes—from the “rum-laced saffron” opening to the “gravity” of the oud heart and the “long and expressive” drydown—creates a sensory journey for the reader. The compelling element is how the review captures the emotional and intellectual depth of the fragrance, describing it as “theatre… but no pretense” and a “garment of memory,” making it resonate beyond just a scent profile.

    In a market which is definitely overly saturated with oudh compositions, I am somewhat intrigued by this particular scent and would definitely love to try it as I have never sample anything from the brand.

    Thank you once again for the detailed review and the kind giveaway.

    Based in the EU

  • Scentofme says:

    That sounds unpredictable and magnetic. I like Nabati and am eager to try the darker Nabati Oud. Both are composed by Christian Provenzano. From EU.

  • wonderscent.mari says:

    What an incredibly intriguing review! Sounds a really magnificent harmonious composition but somewhat a more complex and depth fragrance structure. I am not familiar with the Nabati but I am very intrigued to try both of them and see the hidden treasures that have these compositions. I am very intrigued to experience the darker version of it which sounds quite magnetic and devine! It feels more present. The most intriguing part to me though is the base with all of the resins, woods and the oud that make this blend irresistible. Creating a depth and giving a darker shifting to this poetic composition of the Nabati is sth that sparkled my interest. I am very impressed by this captivating description and very curious to explore this house.
    Many Thanks for this generous giveaway!
    From EU

  • paulREN says:

    I read a lot here about Astrophil & Stella on Cafleurebon, and bought a bottle of In Extremis after Michelyn and Karl included it in their best of 2024. It is unlike anything I have ever smelled and Karl said it was Meo Fusciuni’s best which got my attention. Nabati Oud also sounds like a blind buy or a sampled, since it impressed Karl so much.
    This quote, “Astrophil & Stella’s manifesto speaks of cosmic dualities, human longing, and mythic entanglements. What I have always admired—and continue to find confirmed—is their refusal to dilute that vision.”… and the oud and rum USA

  • Laurentiu says:

    I really liked the last part of the review and I must admit that it put my curiosity on fire, it’s the cherry on top – ‘In a market chasing novelty, Astrophil & Stella have done something more difficult: they’ve taken a story worth telling and dared to speak it again, louder.’

    Nabati Oud sounds really good and I hope I will be testing it out soon. Thanks! EU

  • goldenswan says:

    Nabati Oud sounds really appealing with its mix of spice, florals, and deep woods. I like that it’s described as both rich and wearable—oud can be overwhelming, but this sounds more balanced. The intro was poetic and set the mood well. USA

  • absurdnose says:

    I love the combination of these bold notes. I looked back to the post on the original Nabati for more of a backstory and was so charmed to see that beautiful poem inscribed within the text of the box. I would love to try this scent. I am in the USA

  • Pancake says:

    All Karl had to say was Rose Iris and Rum. That sounds amazing. I really appreciate how he writes out the story of the fragrance’s journey after it’s sprayed.

  • samozain1 says:

    I am always looking for a new oud composition. This brand’s philosophy of poetic metaphor is superb. the “drydown, long and expressive, drapes the skin in amber, patchouli, sandalwood and cedar, touched with the dry shimmer of vetiver and a low hum of vanilla.” It’s everything you need from an oud. I am also a fan of Provenzano.!!

    USA

  • Ramses Perez says:

    I’ve gotten to know the house of Astrophil and Stella on this site and have always thought they make very unique/exotic fragrances. Anything Christian Provenzano touches turns to gold and I’m glad he can do the same for this house. I’m very interested to know how the aquatic notes mix with the oud but based on the notes it gives a summery vibe. I still haven’t has the chance to try any of their fragrances but dying to. I’m located in the USA.

  • Jeremi says:

    Karl’s review paints Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud as a bold, poetic evolution of the original Nabati, with Christian Provenzano’s masterful touch. The unapologetic oud, paired with rum-laced saffron, rose, leather, and a rich, resinous drydown, creates a magnetic, tactile scent that balances intensity with wearability. Its narrative depth, cosmic inspiration, and refusal to chase trends make it a standout. I live in Poland, EU.

  • jennapark says:

    This composition reads like next level elegance. This fragrance being a standout in a sea of fragrances at Exsence really says something about the uniqueness and quality of Nabati Oud.. I am a fan of a rose and oud fragrance blended to perfection. I really appreciate Astrophol & Stella building on Nabati and giving it a dark enchanting twist. It seems the brand takes pride in the whole story of a scent and the many notes experienced before the dry down. What ultimately grabs my attention and piques my curiosity is in Karl’s review he is calling it out as one of the best he’s experienced this year. That says a lot coming from someone who experiences many fragrances a day i would assume. Nabati Oud sounds like a a very special release. I am very excited to experience this for myself. Hello from Pennsylvania USA

  • DAISY PEREZ says:

    Christian Provenzano is an amazing master perfumer. Nabati Oud sounds intriguing! i have never heard of this perfume house and this is why i love Çafleurebon. I get to discover new perfume houses.

  • Eris.can.swatch.kaos says:

    Nabati Oud sounds to me like a good book I want to read while wearing this perfume. I would love to experience the story it tells as it wears on the skin. I dare say this fragrance seems peculiar, though beautiful, and I’m here for that entirely. I’m excited to get my nose on this. I live in Oregon.

  • goknitintheocean says:

    Hi there,

    This sounds beautiful; I am happy to imagine all of the different stages of this fragrance, particularly where the dry down’s amber, sandalwood, patchouli, and cedar come into play. When all is said and done, aren’t fragrances that evolve over time on the skin the best use of our fragrance spending? What fun! Thank you so much for offering this giveaway. I am in NYC/USA.

    Deborah

  • Danniel says:

    Cosmic dualities, human longing, and oud are three very separate and unexpected things that I find myself more interested in than usual lately. I’ve been searching for a proper oud fragrance for a while now and this brand has caught my attention ever since becoming aware of their collaboration with Meo Fusciuni. This sounds both interesting and beautiful. The textured and haunting descriptors are really resonating with me right now. Maybe I’m wandering through my own darker terrain. I’m in the USA

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    I am not familiar with the Nabati but I am very intrigued to try both of them and see the hidden treasures that have these compositions. I am very intrigued to experience the darker version of it which sounds quite magnetic and devine! from PA, USA

  • Jos says:

    Based on Karl’s evocative review, what strikes me most about Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud is how it transforms the original’s “mineral strokes and soft spices” into something bolder and more visceral. The description of oud as “gravity around which everything orbits” rather than just another note is compelling – it suggests a fragrance with real architectural depth. The interplay between the rum-laced opening and the “long and expressive” dry down sounds like a journey worth taking, especially in a market oversaturated with predictable oud compositions.

    I’m in the EU.

  • Patricia R. says:

    I have very high expectations from Nabati Oud and it’s hard to say something that overshadows this review, so I will say that the bottle is beatiful, its colour goes with the wisdom and observations of of the desert – its sky and its water and perhaps evokes the colour of vestments in those areas. I live in the EU.

  • teatreesoil says:

    i like karl’s explanation of the brand’s guiding principles… it makes me want to look up their other fragrances as well (yay that several reviews are linked at the bottom of the article, appreciate that cafleurebon always does that), especially bc i like the bottle/presentation a lot

    thanks for the review, from USA

  • olgAPOISON says:

    This sounds so good. This brad is interesting. Always into rum notes. Thanks, im from croatia

  • mdellaroc says:

    I had not heard of this brand so I didn’t have any reference for it. But this sounds like an extremely well rounded oud. I have finally learned to really appreciate oud in its darkness. In maryland.

  • Bran J says:

    Resinous woody and refined. The expansion of the fragrance line and how it completes something darker and fuller without going over the top. This sounds like a dashing fragrance. NY, USA.

  • foreverscents says:

    As a person who adores oud fragrances, Nabati Oud sounds like something I would enjoy wearing. I am very interested in the star anise and aquatic/sea salt notes. The resins and woods that shift the fragrance to dusk, to darkness, sound very striking and stirring.
    I live in the USA.

  • Steve D says:

    Karl’s review is above all things: evocative. It leads the reader along the path of his exploration of this scent. Not as a guide but as a fellow traveler.
    More than just conjuring the scents and images it communicates the thoughtfulness with which this scent was crafted.

  • Saverioud says:

    I’ve never smelled the original nabati but this review made me fall in love with this version.
    I adore when perfumes want to tell something, maybe a story or a memory and even more when the mystery and the darkness are the main subjects.
    All the notes listed are my thing so I hope to try this masterpiece.
    I’m from Italy.

  • Maestro says:

    What a fascinating review! This sounds like a truly magnificent and harmonious composition, yet with a deeper, more intricate structure. While I’m not yet familiar with Nabati, your description has me eager to explore both fragrances and uncover the hidden treasures within these blends. The darker version, in particular, sounds magnetic—almost divine—with a more pronounced presence. What intrigues me most is the rich base of resins, woods, and oud, creating an irresistible depth that adds a mysterious, shadowy twist to this poetic composition. It’s exactly the kind of complexity that captures my attention. I’m thoroughly impressed by your captivating description and now very curious to discover more from this house. Thank you for such a generous giveaway! From the EU.

  • Chris says:

    Excellent, descriptive review! This one sounds rich and opulent! I’m a fan of almost all the notes, it’s definitely my style of perfumery! And I’m a big fan of Christian Provenzano! I can’t wait to get my nose on this one!

  • Annika says:

    This sounds like a really interesting take on a traditional rose-oud fragrance. The rum-soaked spices with an aquatic sea salt and citrus provide a warm opening. The iris and davana addition to the rose seems to soften it. The base sounds complex with amber, woods, patchouli and vetiver orbiting the oud. Never tried the 2021 version but this sounds lovely. MD, USA

  • Tveta says:

    I have yet to try anything from Astrophil & Stella, but I keep my fingers crossed that Nabati Oud will be the one to open up this journey of discovery as it sounds very promising! There is a plethora of notes and I like what I am seeing!! Thank you very much! Europe

  • Salem says:

    I was struck by how poetic this fragrance, and the whole ideology and purpose of Astrophil & Stella, are.
    The following quote: “they’ve taken a story worth telling and dared to speak it again, louder” is really relevant, and indeed an act of courage in our modern world of rush and chasing excitement.
    The fragrance itself sounds like a beautiful blend of deep spices, lush flowers and enveloping ouds and woods to make the experience linger.
    I live in the EU.

  • marla says:

    Nabati Oud sounds incredibly captivating with its blend of spices, florals, and rich woody notes. I appreciate that it’s described as both luxurious and wearable, but also refined and balanced. The opening description was beautifully written and really set the tone. I also want to say how much I admire the fragrance house Astrophil & Stella as their creations consistently feel thoughtful, elegant, and full of character.

  • R2D2 says:

    What really stands out to me in this review is how Nabati Oud seems to exist as both fragrance and narrative. The way Karl describes it especially the transition from the original Nabati to this darker, more resonant version makes me think this isn’t just about smell, but about mood, memory, maybe even grief. The oud being “the gravity around which everything orbits” is such a powerful image. I feel like this would be one of those scents that linger in your mind long after it leaves your skin.
    I am from the EU

  • FragranceFrenzyS says:

    What caught my attention is how the structure of this perfume appears to be so deliberate. Karl’s description of Provenzano’s use of oud, not just as a note but as a central axis, makes me curious. I often find oud overbearing, but here it sounds like it’s used with control and emotional depth. The way it’s paired with rose, iris, and leather gives me the impression of a rich, grounded heart rather than a chaotic blend. Definitely feels like something I’d test in cooler weather to appreciate all the nuance.

    EU

  • Lastochka says:

    The combination of rum, saffron, ambrette, and star anise in the opening is so intriguing. I don’t think I’ve seen that exact blend before, and the way Karl describes the texture “immediate, generous” really brings it to life. I’m also curious about the aquatic accord in the heart. That kind of contrast with oud and leather seems unusual but potentially very compelling if done right. There’s something about that tension between light and dark, soft and dense that really appeals to me.
    I am from EU, Germany

  • AromaAdventurer says:

    I appreciate how this review isn’t just technical but emotional. The description of Nabati Oud wearing like a “garment of memory” really stayed with me. I’ve always gravitated toward scents that feel like stories, like they carry a weight beyond the surface. There’s something melancholic and intimate about the way Karl writes here it’s not just admiration, it’s personal. And that makes me want to smell the perfume and see what it brings up for me.
    EU

  • LindenNoir says:

    Reading this made me think about how rare it is for a flanker or sequel fragrance to actually expand on the original concept rather than just repeat it. From the sound of it, Nabati Oud isn’t just more intense it’s deeper, more grounded, more architectural. I like that Karl doesn’t hype it up with clichés but actually explains what makes it different. If a scent can shift from “sunset into night” the way he describes, then I think it’s more than just well made it’s immersive.

    EU, Germany

  • roxhas1cat says:

    This must be a powerhouse if this story is told louder. I love that this is an expansion, not revision. I would be curious to know how the oud is the center, yet not overpowering. Sounds like absolute magicians work. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • Angelika1 says:

    Karl review praise its elegant and refined character, noting its depth and the skillful interplay of contrasting elements. The description it’s for those who appreciate a refined oud experience because seem that is the captivating bold note. Very intrigued by these scent. Located in USA.

  • VP says:

    The imagery of oud as the “gravity around which everything orbits” and the scent as a “garment of memory” powerfully gave life to the fragrance. Vaughn Texas

  • aditu says:

    I love the idea of the centrality of oud being the gravity around which everything else in the composition orbits, as ornaments surrounding it but not obscuring it. This review makes me quite curious about not just this fragrance, but the others created by Astrophil & Stell, a brand with which I am not at all familiar! I am in USA.

  • mmerline says:

    Interesting that a fragrance where “oud is unapologetically central”—it’s in the name—is also so full of other elements. Constructing a fragrance this complex that also highlights it’s materials is admirable. “And now, in the quietude of home, it continues to reveal new tonalities. It’s a scent I reach for when I want gravity. There’s theatre in it, yes—but no pretense. It wears like a garment of memory: fragrant, textured, and haunting.” Nabati Oud sounds beautiful.

    I’m in the USA.

  • psebi101 says:

    The review of Nabati Oud, by Astrophil & Stella, piqued my interest with its description of a bold, textured opening and a powerful oud at its heart. It promises a fragrance that amplifies the brand’s poetic vision, making it a must-try. I’m intrigued by Nabati Oud’s promise of an immediate, generous opening and a heart where oud reigns supreme. This collaboration seems to have created a fragrance that’s both a continuation and an expansion of Astrophil & Stella’s core identity.
    I’m in the EU.

  • brentm says:

    Would love to give this a try! Bergamot is one of my favorite notes, would live to see how it works with leather and cardamom. Usa

  • opalbear says:

    This sounds mesmerizing. “Where Nabati traced the cadence of Bedouin oral poetry in mineral strokes and soft spices, Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud steps into darker terrain. The oud is unapologetically central—smouldering, dense, but never overwhelming.” I love a spiced rich floral amber. Cardamon and rose. I am in California.

  • Andrii says:

    “Astrophil & Stella Nabati Oud by Christian Provenzano is a bold and captivating evolution of the original Nabati. I first encountered it at Esxence, but only truly appreciated its depth once I brought it home. The oud is rich and central, yet beautifully balanced—making this one of my most exciting fragrance discoveries this year.”

    EU

  • INYA says:

    The sunset picture is beautiful. I’m a fan of unisex fragrances. Thanks for the opportunity. I like the description of “mineral strokes and soft spices.” MI USA

  • Mary B says:

    This sounds utterly different from anything I’ve experienced before! I am intrigued! I want to experience this journey!
    Mary in Pennsylvania

  • wallygator88 says:

    Really enjoyed reading about this fragrance. The oud reminds me of a sheer shawl, through which you can experience all the otehr elements of this fragrance.

    Cheers from WI, USA