Salam Anfas 2014

Let's get this out of the way immediately: Salam is delightful. It's vibrant, clean, elegant and exceptionally likeable. It's the Keanu Reeves of fragrances - if you disapprove, you're just trying to be a contrarian.

SCENT: I do find it to be similar to Arabian Oud's "Tarteel Silver / ترتيل فضي | Arabian Oud / العربية للعود" minus the distinct vanilla and cleaned up a bit. It opens with indistinct yet pleasant citrus. Soapy, ambery mid and subdued musky dry down. Smooth. This could easily be a go-to, three-seasons daily driver. I legitimately can't imagine anyone being offended by it. 7.5/10

LONGEVITY: It quietly endures. 7+ hours on me without my realizing it. 8/10

SILLAGE: Initially, I thought it wore lightly and was almost muted on my skin. I would have described the projection as intimate, almost tepid. During my 2nd wearing, I met up with some friends and was immediately greeted by inquiries and compliments. And that's why we have to leave the house, folks. 7/10

BOTTLE: Nice, heavy glass and a design that's meant to evoke majesty, but the top/cap isn't very secure. 7/10

VALUE FOR MONEY: I managed to secure a full bottle for $170. Bordering on expensive, yes, but well worth it at that price - particularly given its niche position and wearability. 8/10

Christian Carbonnel also known as Chris Maurice in the perfume industry has been involved in this business for 25years. Was the third generation of Carbonnel saga of perfumers.

Recently he has created his own company, C de la Niche, to focus more on the niche perfumery of his Carbonnel perfumes.

Many famous Niche houses like Xerjoff, Fragrance du Bois or Nishane have worked with him until now, with quite big success: Alexandria II/III, Erba Pura or Nefs.

For the ANFAS, it is clear that they want a nose to create a memorable scent, long lasting and quite special: well Salam is exactly like that. So far I have not gotten a bottle yet, but it´s high on my wishlist.

It does not smell particular in any way .. it does not have the most natural Assam Oud accord, it does not fill a room like Alexandria II and it does not have the Rose de Grasse to make us wonder.

BUT !! It is more than the sum of its notes and once you smell it on others or on your own skin, you get addicted to the smell .. and a bottle follows.

Well done ANFAS, Wa-Alaikum-Salaam!

Got to know Salam from a perfume shop that I often visit. Did not plan to buy anything, and only went in to chit-chat. While I was showing off my newly acquired knowledge on niche fragrance, the owner blurted out “have you tried anything from Anfas?” “An what? The name doesn’t sound western!” “It’s a middle east perfumery, and their perfume is so popular that we couldn’t get the inventory for months!” “Hmm…, a popular niche from far away, sounds like something I can show-off with:-). I want to try it.”

The owner took out several bottles, and had me test them. Majority of the scents are fine but nothing spectacular. However, one gentle floral scent grabbed my attention. “What is this?” “This is Salam, their most sought after perfume” “Salam? Isn’t it “Peace” in Arabic??!! Great name!”. I kept the testing stripe with me, and enjoyed the smell throughout the afternoon. At the end of the day, I decided: let’s have more Salam.

Ordered a sample from a reputable souk partner, and eagerly applied it on. The beautiful sweet floral smell rises again. However, something a little bit off putting is also coming out; something was not prominent in the testing stripe. Worried about getting a fake sample, I went back to the perfume shop and asked for another test. The smell matched, and the off putting smell is there (later learnt that it’s the smell of white musk).

Despite the undesirable smell, I decided to finish the sample. Interestingly, I somehow got used to the undesirable part of the smell, and grew to like it again. I would still not put it on my top5 list, but definitely can see myself wearing it from time to time.

On a more technical side, the scent is complex and gives out an elegant vibe. The projection is moderate (i.e. noticeable but not intrusive), and the longevity is acceptable (becomes skin scent after 2 hours). Overall I find it an interesting scent, and definitely can recommend testing it out.

Ich liebe es! Durch Zufall drauf gestoßen und sofort mit Haut und Haaren verfallen - mein absoluter Favourite! So gut abgestimmt und dabei so vielseitig, die Silage ist unschlagbar. Wer das reicht, der weiß, du hast Stil. Auch der Flakon ist sehr massiv und absolut hochwertig - aber das Highlight ist die Verpackung, ein echtes Schmuckstück für die Vitrine.

It's always incredibly creative to start the review by explaining the name of the fragrance, provided it has a meaning!

And here we are:

Salām (Arabic سلام , DMG salām 'well-being, integrity, health, healing, welfare; peace; greeting') is one of the Arabic words for peace.
Loosely translated, it also means "peace be with you!"

Why am I doing this now? Because it fits so unbelievably well.
Well-being, integrity, health... peace!
I feel all these positive sensations when I smell "Salam"!

Mandarin and bergamot in the top notes - but only subtly - a hint - nothing is exaggerated - everything is finely balanced.

The most work is probably done by amber, musk, and sandalwood - as with so many fragrances!
Only here it’s simply a beautiful and soft composition!
Not too loud - not too quiet!

A professional desert orchestra!

Something sweet always lingers!

The peace could last longer!
In the first hours, it gives its best, radiating warmth... until it fades away!
Then it needs to be renegotiated!
I gladly pay the price for that.

"Salam" is my favorite fragrance, and I have already smelled, worn, and rated numerous scents!
Hats off! to Christian Carbonnel a.k.a. Chris Maurice & Asim Al Qassim!

...and of course, I must stylistically conclude the short review as I began it.

In this sense: 

Peace be with you!