Marrakech Intense Aēsop 2014 Eau de Toilette

The experience of entering an Aesop shop is something special. I must say, the perfumes look more like hand soaps in these pump containers. Despite the appearance and this somewhat unique presentation, I am positively surprised. "Marrakesch Intense" does not impress with the intensity of spices. If you are looking for the spice market in Morocco, Aesop may not be the best choice. Arabic perfumes like those from the brand Lattafa offer a variety of spice bombs to choose from. Upon entering the store, Aesop conveys more of a spa feeling. This atmosphere is also reflected in the perfumes. "Marrakesch Intense" therefore reminds me of a visit to a hammam with steam sauna in a 5-star hotel in the old town of Marrakech. Beautiful fragrance oils float in the air, and the scent trail is not overloaded but finely balanced. It is not too intrusive, but rather calming.

This version of Marrakesch is refined with a bit more rose and jasmine. At first, the cardamom and clove are very intense. The spices associated with Marrakesch are present in moderate amounts. Over time, the spices fade a bit. What remains is still a spicy scent, but in a finer version. The floral notes, especially the rose, are beautifully harmonized with the other nuances. This gives the perfume a hint of holy water. Personally, I find spa scents very lovely, and for me, Marrakesch can also smell fine and not so spicy. Perhaps I still miss a bit of mint, green tea, and honey to represent the character of Morocco. But as it is, it is a more abstract interpretation of Marrakesch. I believe that not everything with oriental traits needs to smell exactly like all the spices. "Marrakesch Intense" is Aesop's own interpretation of Marrakesch, and in a beautiful spa manner. The scent is indeed special, as many spa scents either smell very citrusy or strongly of cedarwood. This scent is a pleasant change and truly smells very high quality to me.