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Fosol

Ishq Special Anfas

9.0 / 10 331 Ratings

A popular limited perfume by Anfas for women and men. The release year is unknown. The scent is fruity-sweet. Projection and longevity are above-average. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Fruity

Sweet

Oriental

Creamy

Spicy

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Saffron

Jasmine

Heart Notes

Raspberry

Amber

Base Notes

Oakmoss

Talcum

Vanilla

Perfumer

Asim Al Qassim

Ratings

Scent

9.0331 Ratings

Longevity

9.0323 Ratings

Sillage

8.7322 Ratings

Bottle

9.2329 Ratings

Value for money

6.9285 Ratings

Submitted by GurkenRick · last update on 01/18/2026.

Source-backed & verified

Interesting Facts

According to the manufacturer, the fragrance should be distinguished by a higher concentration of fragrance oil.

The fragrance is part of the Fosol collection.

Variant of the fragrance concentration

This is a variant of the perfume Ishq by Anfas, which differs in concentration.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Ishq

Aşk-ı Lâl

Rocca

Trajan

Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum

Madawi 40 Years Gold Edition

Reviews

15 in-depth fragrance descriptions

03/13/2025

7Scent 6Longevity 2Sillage

Pengola
17 Reviews

Pengola

2

Powdered raspberry cream?

Now this is a very interesting perfume. And I think I'm the first woman to review this here. I mostly see men's perspectives on this, which made me skeptical to buy it. But I once again purchased another Anfas bottle (first was the Gaya) from the lovely Eryina on souk at a great price. If not I probably wouldn't have taken the risk to blind buy it.

I've tried the original Ishq before so I'm going to make some comparisons. The berry note is definitely less prominent than the original ishq. However there is still a decent hint of the raspberry lingering after the spray. Its subtle. I can see why men tend to prefer this one to the original with it being less sweet. A previous reviewer did mention the original ishq despite having 30% less perfume oil in it projects more. I can see what he means but that's not entirely true. Its not that the original ishq projects more, its that the fruity tone is more dominant in the original versus the special.

Another difference is that the special smells like powdered raspberry which you mix with water or heavy cream to turn it into....well a light raspberry cream which you spread over your scones. While the original is more a light cream devoid of the powderiness. (Note that the Special isnt a strong powder scent, its mild) However even in the original the raspberry note isn't prominent at all. So those of you expecting a strong dose of raspberry from either the original or the special will be disappointed. I kinda prefer it this way tbh, because it ends up being a more refined fragrance rather than a basic pharmacy brand berry perfume.

Projection is weak for both the special and the original. Its one of the reasons why my first Anfas perfume was Gaya because that one is beast mode. Everyone will smell you with the Gaya. The ishq and special are more intimate perfumes. You do need to get close to someone to smell it. But when you do, its truly a refined and somewhat seductive scent. And as always, usually when you find a perfume having weak projection you also find it having weak sillage, as is the case with both Ishqs. I really don't know why people rate the sillage high. Perhaps they are comparing with other perfumes which aren't that beast mode? Im comparing its sillage to fragrances like tony iommi and cruz del sur by xerjoff, or delina by parfum de marly or Calda by Lárc. The projection sillage and longevity is NOTHING compared to these ones. I specifically recall I tested Calda and the Ishq original at the same time one on each arm and then one on each sleeve of my coat. The difference is very drastic.

Can't complain about the packaging. Its just simply unbeatable. No other perfume on the market has packaging that can rival the class and elegance and rustic(ness) of Anfas. Also the one difference I noticed with packaging is Anfas Ishq Special has a red box and the red gem on the bottle cap. While the original has black packaging and no gem.

Anyways which do I prefer? Hmmm both are very similar actually. I will definitely get some good wear of it my ishq special. But having either or is enough. Its so similar to the point where itd be a waste of money to purchase both, even if you are a fan of Anfas.

Updated on 03/14/2025

02/16/2024

10Scent 10Longevity 10Sillage

RichScents
10 Reviews

Translated · Show original

RichScents

Top Review 39

Simply a masterpiece, the comparison of both ISHQ versions...

Right from the start, I want to mention that this is my very first review, but my enthusiasm for this fragrance is so overwhelming that I simply can't help but share my impressions with the community.....

I can already call myself a proud owner of the regular Anfas ISHQ variant and have been thrilled with it for a long time. I also greatly appreciate all other works by Asim Al Qassim. When I learned that a limited edition would be released, I could hardly contain my excitement. In a livestream by Marc Gebauer, I found out that the "Special Edition" essentially has the same scent, but with a higher concentration of fragrance oil and a more intense formulation. This significantly increased my joy, as I didn't want a completely reformulated version of the fragrance - for me, the regular version was already TOP, TOP, TOP in every aspect.

When I finally held the special edition in my hands, I couldn't wait to compare it with the regular version. So, here we go... on the left side, the regular version, and on the right side of my arm, the special edition sprayed - I began the comparison:

Upon the first spray, I noticed that the regular edition emitted a stronger strawberry scent in the top notes, very sweet and sticky, while the special edition was more characterized by saffron, similar to (Extrait) Baccarat Rouge by Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
The sweet strawberry note of the regular edition lasted a long time, whereas the special edition had a long-lasting spicy note that reminded me of something from Spirito Fiorentino by Tiziana Terenzi. For me, the special edition seems more masculine, but it remains unisex at its core. I think the comparison can be quite well drawn with Baccarat Rouge in the Eau de Parfum and Extrait versions, where the former is more suitable for women and the latter for men; the comparison holds true for Ishq as well. The longevity and sillage of both editions are impressive - just two to three sprays are enough to accompany me all day. I find the special edition to be even a bit stronger in this regard, which is definitely worth mentioning, simply a BEAST!! (e.g., just took fresh clothes out of the laundry and I could still perceive the "special" scent)
The bottle is simply stunning, and every time I am fascinated by the masterful craftsmanship behind it. For me, it is even one of the most beautiful bottles ever. (BOTH)

Now the exciting question arises whether it is worth acquiring the limited edition....

Here is my very personal recommendation:
If you do not yet own an "Ishq" fragrance and have a penchant for saffron scents with hints of strawberry that remind you of Baccarat Rouge, then my answer is quite clear - yes. The limited version is even excellent as a blind purchase, without any reservations.
On the other hand, if you are already a proud owner of the regular version, I tend to lean towards a "yes-no" approach. Because as mentioned, it is essentially the same fragrance, but it has subtle differences that are hardly noticeable to an average nose. It is important to keep an eye on the budget and consider whether you are a passionate collector. In such a case, the purchase of the limited edition can definitely be justified due to its exclusivity and limited availability, as I have done.

It is also worth mentioning that even the regular version, although it is not labeled as "special" or "limited," is only available once a year in limited quantities. Once it is sold out, it remains unavailable until the next restock. As it stands, the standard ISHQ has already been sold out everywhere for several months and will only be available again in spring 2024. The price difference is not significant either; the regular version is around €305.00, while the exclusive edition is priced at €360.00. The price difference of €60.00 is, as mentioned, due to the exclusivity (low quantities) and the slight increase in fragrance oil concentration.

In short, for me, the limited version is simply perfect and corresponds 100% to my taste. Saffron & strawberry harmonize flawlessly together. This interplay, the balance of sweetness, powdery notes & oriental spiciness, makes this fragrance a masterpiece for me personally.

*Reupload from 04.11.2023, as it was mistakenly deleted*
Best regards
yours, Richard =)

01/29/2024

9Scent 9Longevity 7Sillage

Matze1212
2 Reviews

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Matze1212

Top Review 13

If you know Ishq....!

So where should I start? Best to start at the beginning :)

I spontaneously got a sample because I wanted to know how this supposedly amazing smelling Ishq actually smells.
I happened to be out with a friend who is not at all enthusiastic about fragrances. I, on the other hand, am all the more so :) Full of joy, I sprayed a puff on the back of my hand... Boom! Sweet strawberry & saffron hit me right in the face!
I was blown away again after a long time, but in a positive way, I fell in love immediately. I was suddenly transported back to my childhood; my buddy said the same thing, and to this day we don't know why. (Maybe someone else felt the same way and can help me out) He had also never smelled such a sweet, delicious strawberry. :)

I knew I had to get this... well, it wasn't so easy to get my hands on it.

After a bit of research, I stumbled upon the Special edition and thought to myself, also because of the nice story with the sister, the reviews, and the availability, this will be it (temporarily).

When the good piece arrived and I sprayed it, I thought WOW Mega!!
Strawberry, saffron, vanilla, amber all perfectly united, simply beautiful.
A truly wonderful, beautifully balanced fragrance, if it weren't for the sample of the normal version.
So left hand Special, right hand normal version.

Special: first 15 minutes perfect dominating strawberry, then everything unites, becomes a bit dark, and stays that way until the end. Longevity for me is about 8 hours on the skin. Projection and here's the catch FOR ME was unfortunately (compared to the normal version) not so outstanding. Maybe because of the 30% fragrance oil content??

Normal: Sweet strawberry & saffron for about 4 hours, then more vanilla & amber & a bit of strawberry :) Much louder, sweeter, and projects definitely stronger! In my opinion, a more beautiful fragrance progression! Thus, it was clear I also needed a normal bottle of Ishq! My favorite!!

Both are truly wonderful fragrances that you feel can't scare anyone away!
The bottle is very high quality, heavy, and extremely pretty! Allegedly handmade.
The Special has a small red stone on the cap; otherwise, it's an identical bottle.

Both come with a hefty price tag, but once you've smelled them, you can definitely dig into your pocket :)

P.S
I hope I could help someone who is unsure which one to choose, and for those for whom the Special would be an option, here's the review.

Updated on 01/30/2024

12/05/2023

9Scent 10Longevity 8Sillage

Sirbennyone
510 Reviews

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Sirbennyone

Helpful Review 11

The next "SENSATION"? A TOP 2 Release of 2023? / EDP vs Extrait / the BR540 Mystery

Hello everyone,

today I would like to talk about the new Anfas, the Ishq Special!

After my 10ml sample, I now have a bottle and will touch on certain aspects and perhaps explain why I think the way I do.

But before I do that, let's talk about the bottle, packaging, sprayer, and the packaging. What else can I say other than WOW (!) A 10/10 is almost a must in this regard, and if you see it differently, I can't help you!

To begin with,
I know the house by name, and yes, I have tested 1, 2, 3 fragrances, but they never really impressed or excited me. It was rather the opposite...

In 2022, I first got a whiff of Ishq (and then several times), and yes (!) I found it good. Something different, but it was a bit too "loud" for me...

This brings me to a point in my headline - the BR540 mystery!

Many people think that when they read saffron *OMG* like BR540 or saffron + jasmine *OMG BR540 again*, and I understand where this thinking comes from, and I can even understand it a little, but with Ishq Special you might have this for 2-3 seconds and then it's gone, I promise!

BUT there is a noticeable similarity to BR540, and that is not the scent!

How so?

(Comparison EDP vs Extrait)

The EDP is louder and, in my opinion, consistently louder than the Extrait. And exactly that reminds me of Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum and Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum because it was exactly the same there.

The Ishq Special is rounder, fuller, noticeably higher quality, and consequently much more pleasant and easier to wear for me!

As I said, the BR540 vibe comes for 2-3 seconds, but it quickly fades (thankfully!) and then you get "full on the 12" the incredibly beautiful strawberry. It remains noticeably for 1-2 hours, but then the pure magic begins and now we are at the point of why I "love" it so much...

This abnormally wonderful mix of vanilla and amber = WOW! This is top-notch. If you ask me how one can imagine this - very, very distantly like "Amber Star | XerJoff". BEWARE, you cannot compare both, I mean purely from this feeling, the quality, the magical, the mystical, this specialness, and I can only get this feeling from "Amber Star | XerJoff"!

Compliments:

10/10 is an understatement! Even employees who usually don't like this fragrance direction (users of Terre d'Hermès Eau de Toilette) like it a lot, and with women... let's just say my wife is grateful when I don't wear it. BECAUSE it attracts strange women extremely, and she likes that less = also understandable ;) .

Still, 10/10!

TOP 2 Release:

This year many very usable fragrances were released, but for me (!) the clear winners this year are Triumph of Bacchus Extrait de Parfum and Ishq Special!

The upcoming star?

It's always incredibly modest to say something like that, but I see such massive potential in this one and even more than in the already usable Ishq. If you want more quality and think like me and want to know what is possible when you increase the fragrance oil concentration, then try Ishq Special and maybe you will like it.

If I really weren't convinced, I wouldn't recommend it to you!

And now have a nice day/evening or whenever you read this review, best regards, Benny
_______

(Now the same as almost always - because it applies!)

Now to the topic of luxury:

As you can see in my profile, I have really smelled many fragrances, and there are fragrances where you can smell a certain (sometimes) strong synthetic note, and you quickly realize that some fragrance houses focus more on quantity than quality, and there are some where you can tell "oh come on, let's put in more + better" and you can smell that at the end of the day.

And now, to conclude the point about the "lovely price," I will say this: if we say we have a certain desire for luxury products/fragrance products in the niche area, then I find it difficult or, to be honest, almost pointless to criticize this as something negative. No one forces us to spend this money. If you ask me: Benny, is it WORTH it? Then I say, if you want to spend it, test it and buy it, but I recommend everyone to try it! You just have to experience it - the art of what is possible / can be.

12/08/2023

9.5Scent 8Longevity 9Sillage

Nikmarbo
9 Reviews

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Nikmarbo

Very helpful Review 8

The Most Noble and Authentic Strawberry Scent

... that has come under my nose so far.

After I recently stumbled upon Ishq Special and read through the reviews and statements, I thought it might be worth a try.

I must admit, I hadn’t been looking for it, as until now I held the opinion that perfumes that smell like strawberries are for little girls or young ladies, but certainly not for men.
I was mistaken, and quite dramatically!

This fragrance is fine, elegant, noble - yes, it is sweet, but it is a very harmonious, pleasant sweetness. Not the sticky stuff, not synthetic, just wonderful. In one of the statements, I read something about strawberry cream candies. I think this comparison fits very well, although I must still emphasize the noble component of this fragrance, as it is certainly an art to elevate a strawberry scent to such a high level.

The composition of this ensemble is, in contrast to many oriental fragrances, manageable. At the front in the first row, saffron and jasmine play, behind them, slightly elevated, is the strawberry - the soloist - accompanied discreetly by amber. In the last row, oak moss and vanilla play, rounding off the ensemble.

If just one of the supporting players in this ensemble were to be missing, it would not be what it is, a MASTERPIECE.

Updated on 12/08/2023

More reviews

Statements

76 short views on the fragrance

BertolucciK

12 months ago

8.5Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

3

Ishq Special enhances the original with a creamy blend of strawberry, saffron, amber and vanilla, adding depth and warmth.

Lukamo

1 year ago

9Scent 9Longevity 9Sillage

7

Beautiful blend of strawberry and saffron *-*
In many fragrances, saffron bothers me, but here it’s just perfect.
Absolutely unisex.

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Sirbennyone

2 years ago

9Scent 10Longevity 8Sillage

7

16

Mysterious, enigmatic, powerhouse, masterpiece!
Second skin from ANFAS!
Extremely pleasant.
Noble + high-quality!
TEST IT!

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Kankuro

9 months ago

7.5Scent

7

1

There's hardly any difference between this one & the regular Ishq. In the Special, the medicinal Baccarat note unfortunately comes across a bit stronger.

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