Empire Empress Khadlaj 2024

Empress plays around with what I call this "new age" molecular Ambers, although very different it reminds me a bit of Xerjoff Levar del Sole (review in the making) in the way it feels, not in scent. Contrary to this reference, Empress feels much more Arabic in style, bolder and spicier yet still very fresh nonetheless. It keeps the same translucent moleculer amber feel, sweet, fresh and fruity mostly, with a soft abstract oud / suede like feel in the background, this comes more like a texture to the fragrance and not the exact smell of leather or oud. Honestly a very elegant and smooth fragrance, easy to wear due to the translucent quality and very diffusing in the air, yet refined and luxurious feeling. Top quality in blending, and an absolute bang for your buck if you, like me, enjoy this type of fragrances.

Although I rate all three from this collection a 9, this is probably my favorite from this line because it is the most unique. Again, this is creamy but probably the less creaminess from this line they toned some of the creaminess down just a little bit then added more woods to the base throw in some spices and you get this lovely gem from Khadlaj. Although I'VE yet to get my hands on Victor as of this review, this is definitely a brand that needs to be explored if you already have not.

When I first encountered the scent DNA of Laathani /لاثاني some time ago, it was love at first sniff.
Saturated with highly rated classics like Imagination or "Aventus | Creed," there was finally a fragrance that was refreshingly different in the truest sense and had the potential to make it into my top 5.

"Empire Empress | Khadlaj / خدلج" is, like "Laathani /لاثاني | Ahmed Al Maghribi," a very good dupe of "Imperial Valley (Eau de Parfum) | Gissah / قصة." Even though I have never experienced the original, the scent DNA of the dupes immediately captivated me.
I have already written a review with high praise for "Laathani /لاثاني | Ahmed Al Maghribi." "Empire Empress | Khadlaj / خدلج" does not fare much worse and operates at a similarly high quality level as "Laathani /لاثاني | Ahmed Al Maghribi."

With "Empire Empress | Khadlaj / خدلج," you get a fresh, sweet, slightly smoky, leathery, everyday wearable top scent with a potent, fresh rosemary note.
There are not many significant differences from "Laathani /لاثاني | Ahmed Al Maghribi." I think Laathani /لاثاني has a bit more focus on the oudy-smoky aspect, especially in the dry down, while "Empire Empress | Khadlaj / خدلج" emphasizes more fruit and freshness and is somewhat more linear.

In contrast to the much-hyped "Liwan / ليوان | Ard Al Zaafaran / ارض الزعفران التجارية," which, in my opinion, only plays in the minor leagues and doesn't really have much in common with the fresh, seductive, oudy scent DNA, Laathani /لاثاني and "Empire Empress | Khadlaj / خدلج" offer two absolutely high-quality fragrances that unite a complex and modern masculinity from the East and West.
In a 1:1 comparison, Laathani /لاثاني lasts about 2 hours longer on my skin, but it also costs a few euros more for that.

Blind buy?! For the price - definitely!