Maze Al Haramain Eau de Parfum

Sparkling fresh lemon, almost golden in appearance, and its juice in an equally noble hue sparkle out at me from the bottle, which can almost only be enjoyed with sunglasses on ;-)! Bergamot intensifies the fruity notes right after, but dims the sparkle a little. Wormwood adds, as the name almost suggests, a hint of melancholy that captures and softens the lemony brightness from the start, preventing the scent from becoming too citrusy. This is good for me, as otherwise, the fragrance would be over for me. Too much lemon is not my thing, and I am therefore very glad that a beautiful twist is coming right up.
I have tied the thread firmly around my wrist. The other end is attached to a pillar in the garden. If both ends hold, I will find out from the upcoming adventure. A quick tug on both ends, yes, it holds. Then I set off. The green, towering hedges of the labyrinth draw closer. There is the entrance. I walk through. The arrangement of the first green wall directs me to the left. A few meters further, there is a small table with a bowl of freshly cut lemons. Even before I reach it, their intensely fresh and refreshing scent wafts up to my nose. Next to the lemons are some bergamots, green-skinned but with a slightly sweeter scent. I inhale them too. Strengthened by both, I continue. Here around one corner, then around the next. A bitter-herbaceous mist hangs in the air and leads me to the next little table. On it sits a bottle of vermouth and a half-filled glass, alongside a piece of sugar cube. I sniff at the bottle and the glass, soak the sugar, and let it dissolve on my tongue. The rising vapors mix with the strong lemon note from earlier, which stubbornly lingers in my nose, creating a scent note that I like more and more. The sparkling freshness is slightly muted but remains recognizable. Curiously, I move on, the scents still anchored in my senses. Twice to the left, once to the right, and I arrive at a lush, tall rose bush that appears more colorful at first glance than it should. Upon closer inspection, I see that it has other flowers on some branches, as if someone has decorated a Christmas tree with ornaments. Here and there, white jasmine and orange blossoms are placed. The deep red rose gains a floral quality that emphasizes and even intensifies its own. With the citrus notes and the vermouth vapors in my nose, this creates a noble scent mélange that continues to pique my interest. My scent journey thus continues. I now realize that I must follow the branches of the bush paths with my nose to reach my destination. I let myself be guided and come across a stack of wood with various colored woods. As if freshly cut, they blend with my already inhaled perceptions and contribute a spicy-aromatic direction that harmonizes excellently with the initial notes and slightly enhances them in freshness. Many rose scents with flowers and woods drift into the dark, mystical realm; however, this one seems to want to stay firmly on the bright side. You might not notice it immediately from the selection in the pyramid, but upon spraying, the intended progression becomes clearer. Thus, I also conclude that anyone who does not like dark, lush, and heavy rose scents might love this one. Simply because it has a sunny disposition. Since it evokes the same feeling in me, I cheerfully pass by the wood stacks and continue into the next green corridor. It becomes more floral and sweeter; something chocolatey, soft-scented lingers in the air. Something that almost makes my mouth water. I am already noticeably moving faster. What is so irresistibly tempting me? A bend in the towering bushes leads me back to a little table. Here, it is finely set up, as if someone is expected for coffee and cake. In the center stands a tiered tray filled with delicious treats. I see pralines, both dark and light, tonka beans with their sweet woody to vanilla-caramel flavor lying individually in a small bowl, waiting to be tasted. I absorb the fine scents of everything and let them merge with all the others I have previously inhaled. A wonderful lightly lemony-rosy-sweet scent emerges, which clings beautifully, as none of the aromas have dissipated from the beginning to here. Each is still retrievable. I sneak another praline and finally move on. After turning three corners, I come to a green wall adorned with pictures. One shows a musk ox. Next to it, on a small ledge, is a bottle of the oil. I sniff at it but notice that this substance only subtly mixes with the previous scent impression. The picture next to it shows amber. I know well that amber adds a sensual softness to any fragrance and wraps overly spicy, fresh, or light floral notes in cotton, making them bearable and even inviting to dream. Here, too, in this scent sequence, amber does what it does best and contributes a comforting note that does not weigh down but merely cushions. My gaze shifts to the side, where light breaks into the greenery. Could that be the exit? I follow the light and indeed see the cut-out passage in the bush wall. Right in front of it stands a meter-high white pillar with a golden object on top. At first glance, I recognize something angular, glowing, sparkling in the light, and cannot quite place it. However, as I approach, I see very well what it is. It is a Maze bottle from Al Haramain. Within it lies the result of my scent journey. I have not lost my way and have found much more here than just the exit. Because the journey is the destination here...