Blessed Baraka Initio 2015

White flowers? Voilá! I'm not exactly the gardener before God, but I would have been completely off with my assessment here.

This clearly leans towards fruits. And what fruits! Shimmering, nestled in deep brown rum notes, magnificent cherry aromas flood my mouth. A sweetly luxurious experience, perfectly complemented by a harmoniously warm base.

Sandalwood? Later, for sure. However, initially, I unmistakably perceive a bright, leathery accord, finely woven with light wisps of smoke. At this point, I can no longer shake the impression of a soulmate connection to Jubilation XXV. Even though they differ significantly in their choice of ingredients, Blessed Baraka strongly reminds me of the masterpiece from Amouage in its entire presentation.

But while in Oman, one prefers to take a detour to the cypress grove after a while, Blessed Baraka follows the already established path. Heliotrope gradually dims the scent in the second half and merges with the now distinctly tangible sandalwood. At this stage, also perceptible to me, the fruity-woody spectrum acquires a slightly floral touch. Thankfully, soapy or overly powdery nuances are spared from us.

Financially, Initio and Amouage unfortunately do not give each other any breaks; here, communication is on equal footing. So, anyone looking for an affordable alternative to Jubi will have to look elsewhere. However, this should not diminish the fragrance; Blessed Baraka is a fine creation, multifaceted, complex, and radiating a pleasantly bright aura.

I thank Stilloni for the exquisite sample.