Gallivant Abu Dhabi Review (Lucas Sieuzac) 2022+ Neo-Vintage Leather Giveaway

Gallivant Abu Dhabi

Gallivant Abu Dhabi  by Karl

I wanted to capture some of the romance, adventure, the beautiful simplicity I first read about in Wilfred Thesinger’s Arabian Sands while I studied Arabic at university. That was my first experience of the Emirates and Abu Dhabi. Incandescent light, the sand horizon, the shifting splendour of the dunes, the warm wind from the Empty Quarter, the Rub al Khali desert.” “I wanted to evoke an expedition across the dunes and give it a kind of sepia-tinged minimalism. So, there’s most definitely a dose of nostalgia in this composition, a neo-vintage feeling. I was seeking an emotional echo of those era-defining perfumes from the late 80s and 1990s such as Bel Ami and Fahrenheit, composed by the legendary Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Lucas’ father.”-Nick Steward, Gallivant

.Nick Steward of Gallivant and Lucas Sieuzac

Image of  Nick Steward courtesy of Gallivant and photo of Lucas Sieuzac courtesy of Euro Fragrance

There is something personal and intimate, which spring to mind when evoking memories, specific times and especially places. Gallivant founded and created by Nick Steward takes us to locations around the world and provides us with a snapshot of famous cities. The collection of twelve perfumes is our opportunity to sample not only these places in a broad sense but to navigate them in microcosm. Gallivant Abu Dhabi (new for 2022) feels personal somewhat vintage and is a fragrance with a genteel aspect.

Abu Dhabi by Gallivant

Image of Dunes, Finding by Dan Grinwis courtesy of Gallivant

Gallivant Abu Dhabi is composed by Lucas Sieuzac, who has intuitively expressed the emotions of Mr. Steward’s youth in visiting Abu Dhabi as a ten-year-old and created a scent which is initially invigorating and surprising and also one that harkens back to a moment of nostalgia. The clear reference to arid heat and desert dunes is apparent here. However, the opening of cypress, pink pepper, rosemary, and most of all peppermint is unexpected. Maybe this is a nod to the innocence of youth, a new horizon? I can tell you that this really separates Abu Dhabi from other well known ‘leather’ perfumes. Many times, we come across such fragrances with a fruity top note and overpowering base. Here there is a languid and smooth sojourn from sparkling top to a refined conclusion. The blend of aromatic notes up top gives a crystalline effect, it tricked me into thinking that we would be heading into a light, airy amber fragrance with and a touch of ambroxan. I was wrong.

Dmitry Novikov Unsplash crystalline image courtesy of Gallivant

From here the journey develops into spicy, darker territory. Saffron, geranium and orris blend into the heart which makes me think of powdery sand dunes and a subtle tinge of nubuck begins to poke through. There is a point where the cistus and cedarwood saunters into the wearing, which I most enjoy. Here there is a specific reference to Mashrabiya wooden panels, the traditional lattice screens used as a response to the local climate having both heating and cooling capacities but also created for a profound requirement for intimacy and seclusion. This unvarnished woody experience seems a salient choice to bring across in Gallivant Abu Dhabi. The finale of the wearing is grounded and deep brought about by patchouli. It is smooth and paired back rather than overwhelming.

Image of ochre-coloured bursts by Dave Hoefler, Unsplash Courtesy of Gallivant.

Naples and Istanbul are standouts from the brand for me and now Abu Dhabi makes a triumvirate of scents I particularly enjoy. Here one is aware of thoughtful creative direction and haute perfumery. It is the antithesis of commercial shock value scents which the market is awash with. Instead, we are treated to a complex fusion of sparkling, spicy and leather notes in an original interpretation.

Notes: Cypress, pink pepper, peppermint, rosemary, cistus, clary sage, saffron, geranium, orris, cedarwood, patchouli, leather notes, musk.

Karl Topham UK Ambassador & Senior Editor, thoughts are my own.

Sample of Gallivant Abu Dhabi kindly sent for review by Nick Steward

Abu Dhabi by Gallivant

 Abu Dhabi Courtesy of Gallivant.

Thanks to the largesse of Nick Steward, we have a draw for a 30 ml of Gallivant Abu Dhabi Eau de Parfum for one registered reader in the UNITED KINGDOM or if you have an address to ship to in the UK. Please be sure to register. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Karl’s review, where you live and if you have a favourite Gallivant Perfume. Draw closes 11/13/22.

Please read Alex C. Musgrave’s reviews of Naples, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Brooklyn, Bukhara, London, Istanbul, Tel AvivBerlin and Los Angeles.  ÇaFleureBon was the first fragrance site to review Gallivant perfumes in 2017

Follow us @cafleurebonoffical @gallivant.stories @karl.topham  @lucas.sieuzac_perfumer

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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20 comments

  • It is amazing Nick studied Arabic in the Middle East. It makes sense why his perfumes are inspired by different places because he really seems well-traveled. I must admit I am also surprised by the review and the composition is, indeed, unexpected in that it is youthful and it also is relatively in fresh French style, not something I would have guessed from a fragrance named after Abu Dhabi. However, notes like Saffron do seem to pay tribute to the east. I am in US.

  • wandering_nose says:

    I loved Karl’s review, so informative yet at the same time personal. Gallivant fragrances brim with imagination, sophistication and the amazing ability to awaken wanderlust in readers and I can imagine even more so in wearers. The vintage feel of Abu Dhabi paying hommage to Nick Steward’s bachelor years of studying Arabic at those far corners of the world appeals to me with a special charm. I love the herbal and woody aspects, and patchouli is always a winning touch for me. I have not been lucky to try Gallivant perfumes as of yet so grateful for the draw! I am in the EU but I do have an address to ship to in the UK.

  • I enjoyed reading about the darker journey into spicy territory that Abu Dhabi takes. The notes of earthy rosemary, cistus, clary sage, saffron and geranium sound fantastic. My favorite from Gallivant is Bukhara. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff. Mich USA

  • Karl!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I’m not eligible for the draw, but wanted to say how much I enjoyed this wonderful review!!! I can’t wait to sample this fragrance!!! Gdańsk and Naples were big hits for me, so I’m super excited to experience Abu Dhabi! Your description is Amazing! ❤️❤️

  • Bryant Worley says:

    His in-depth description of the fragrance’s notes makes this quite an appealing must have, and is summed up in these words: “we are treated to a complex fusion of sparkling, spicy and leather notes in an original interpretation.” DING-DING-DING! May I have my fragrance, please?

    Unfortunately, i am unfamiliar with Gallivant fragrances but, through word of mouth, have been interested to try Brooklyn and Tokyo.

    I live in Waldorf, Maryland, USA.

  • Thanks Karl for this great olfactive trip to Adu Dhabi! The complexity of this scent is amazing and truly makes it special and so different from all the new perfumes of the market right now.
    I very much enjoyed the surprises brought by the notes and the unexpected twists of Gallivant Abu Dhabi.
    I don’t have a favourite yet, since I haven’t tried any but I am familiar with Gallivant Collection aroud the world.
    Hugs from Romania ( with address to ship to in UK)

  • From here the journey develops into spicy, darker territory. Saffron, geranium and orris blend into the heart which makes me think of powdery sand dunes and a subtle tinge of nubuck begins to poke through. There is a point where the cistus and cedarwood saunters into the wearing, which I most enjoy. Here there is a specific reference to Mashrabiya wooden panels, the traditional lattice screens used as a response to the local climate having both heating and cooling capacities but also created for a profound requirement for intimacy and seclusion. This unvarnished woody experience seems a salient choice to bring across in Gallivant Abu Dhabi. The finale of the wearing is grounded and deep brought about patchouli. It is smooth and paired back rather than overwhelming. A beautiful description by Karl I am intrigued by the notes and Nick Stewards adventures. This is a house that I have got no experience with but I am curious and interested to find out more. Thanks a million from the UK

  • “I wanted to capture some of the romance, adventure, the beautiful simplicity I first read about in Wilfred Thesinger’s Arabian Sands while I studied Arabic at university. That was my first experience of the Emirates and Abu Dhabi. Incandescent light, the sand horizon, the shifting splendour of the dunes, the warm wind from the Empty Quarter, the Rub al Khali desert.” “I wanted to evoke an expedition across the dunes and give it a kind of sepia-tinged minimalism. So, there’s most definitely a dose of nostalgia in this composition, a neo-vintage feeling. I was seeking an emotional echo of those era-defining perfumes from the late 80s and 1990s such as Bel Ami and Fahrenheit, composed by the legendary Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Lucas’ father.”-Nick Steward, Gallivant. I was surprised that Nick studied Arabic and I am intrigued and fascinated by this composition. A house that I have not tried anything by. This article has piqued my interest and curiosity to try and seek this fragrance out. Thanks a lot from the United Kingdom

  • I live in London, so of course I had to try the Gallivant perfume of the city. I love how the brand managed to capture something so elusive about the London spirit, I only had a sample of it but loved wearing it on the days I went straight into the hustle and bustle of Soho. I’ve always loved perfumes that aim to evoke something deeper than perfumery itself: a city, a song, a work of art.
    I’d love to try out the Abu Dhabi perfume. “Saffron, geranium and orris blend into the heart which makes me think of powdery sand dunes and a subtle tinge of nubuck begins to poke through” Now that the days are becoming shorter and increasingly grim, Karl’s review of the scent draws a promise of elevation from reality, traveling with the mind, being transported through the power of perfumery.

  • Thanks for another great review Karl!

    A new release from Gallivant is always exciting. I have tried almost all of their fragrances look forward to trying their new release!

    With a name like Abu Dhabi, I expect an opulent, strong, middle eastern experience. I love Middle Eastern style fragrances and this immediately caught my attention.
    You mentioned a couple of times how smooth it is and that is a particular characteristic I enjoy in fragrances. I have ‘scratchy’ rough kind of fragrances which I enjoy on a warm day outdoors, but now that Winter is coming, I crave warm, smooth experiences and Abu Dhabi sounds absolutely perfect!

    My favourite fragrance from Gallivant is Istanbul. It’s also perfect in this cooler weather!

    Greetings from the UK!

  • Lovely review Karl! I find the peppery herb opening to this leather centric fragrance very interesting and unexpected. The powdery, dry wood middle seems representative of the desert and the patchouli base gives it a nice ground. Very evocative of Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, I’ve never tried anything from Gallivant but it sounds like a fascinating perfume house. MD, USA.

  • I love the concept for this one—trying to capture an “expedition across the dunes” in sepia tones. To me, that suggests an arid texture, redolent spices, dry fruit, and something to suggest hot sand baking under the sun. The cypress, pink pepper, rosemary, and peppermint opening defies my expectations and is an intriguing twist, especially in the context of a woody leather and smooth patchouli. Thanks for the review Karl.

  • The fab details and really intriguing information appeal to me. I live in Trzebnica, Poland, EU but I have an address to ship to in the UK. I don’t have a favorite Gallivant perfume because I never tried this brand but I’d love to test Gdańsk or Abu Dhabi. Both of these fragrances sound amazing.

  • Being in the USA, I am not eligible for this draw, but I must say that Gallivant Abu Dhabi seems lovely, along with their other perfumes, whose reviews I have read here on Cafleurebon. Thanks for the review.

  • Interesting review !!!
    Love Gallivant especially berlin and Tokyo, but this sound just amazing and ideal for me, because I love leathery perfumes.
    I have address in UK.

  • Claumarchini says:

    It is not a secret that I have a penchant for Nick and his creations: its philosophy resonates with me a lot. Travelling is my favourite hobby and I couldn’t believe when I learnt there was a perfume dedicated to my favourite town in Uzbekistan, Bukhara (which is also my favourite Gallivant fragrance)! I now learn that Nick has studied Arabic at uni, like I did! I was so disappointed I missed the opportunity to sample Abu Dhabi when it came out, because I love the desert and I knew Nick was going to perfectly render the feeling of being there: the dryness, the spices, the feeling of being lonely and taken care of at the same time. I’d love to be the lucky winner and although I live in Milan I would ship the bottle to a friend’s address in London!

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the fantastic review Karl.

    I love Wilfred Thessiger’s books. He’s one of the last of a breed of explorers that the world will never see again. His accounts of the Arab Peninsula are from a time that is now lost to us and my hope is that Gallivant Abu Dhabi is successful in capturing some of that lost beauty of the bedouin world.

    These notes are a fascinating proxy for the dry, exotic world that much of the worlds spices travelled through.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Karl!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Just popping in to say how much I enjoy your review!! I really want to experience this unique fragrance!

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Wonderful review Karl! What appeals to me about Karl’s review is learning about how the cistus and cedarwood are specific reference to traditional Mashrabiya wooden panels with decorative lattice screens. I love learning about the specific inspirations and cultural background behind fragrances.

    My favourite Gallivant Perfume so far is Bukhara. I live in the US but I do have an address to ship to in the UK.