Al Awsaaf

الأوصاف

Lattafa 2023

This fragrance arrived at my place today, I managed to test it thoroughly while being out and smelled both the opening and the drydown.

I can tell straight from the beginning that this fragrance is inspired by Tobacco Vanille, I don't get any resemblance to Noir Extreme, it is a BIT similar to Oajan because Al Awsaaf has a stronger dose of Cinnamon compared to the OG and it is a tad less sweet.

Performance seems good to my nose, could smell it still after a shower around 6 hours and half in, so I guess it's a decent performer.

If you like Tobacco Vanille or Oajan it's a safe buy, it is indeed pleasant, people around me liked it a lot.

I'd give it a 8/10 just because I already own other TV inspired by and didn't need another one, I came with different expectations reading the reviews on the net.

Lattafa has a thing for making clones with a twist. I'm very rarely impressed with their offerings. This one, they did a good enough job. This smells like Noir Extreme minus the florals with some added Spicebomb Extreme spices. I do not get any Tobacco Vanille here, with the exception of the vanilla which is a note the other two fragrances already have.

After sitting for almost a year, this scent has definitely improved quite a bit and is closer to Noir Extreme than anything else. There's a bit of a note I don't like when I first spray, but it disappears after a moment or two leaving something pretty close to NE. The kulfi and rose are absent, I do get some cinnamon and frankincense as well. It's sweet, well blended (especially after it settled and oxidized), lasts a good 7 hours, great projection for the first 2 hours or so, and it smells way more expensive than it is.

It's funny because I feel like this is one of the best men's fragrances Lattafa has ever released, yet no one is talking about it.

Because it is a very special scent that you can't smell on every corner, to be precise: there hasn't been anything even remotely similar to it.
Maybe that's exactly THE reason, as it is a dupe of nothing at all, at least of nothing that I have ever "read" or had under my nose :-))
Here, I can already detect a tendency towards resinous notes in the warm-fresh opening. It is citrus fruits that pair with spices like clove, saffron, and mint??!! which is quite unusual! Probably pepper and bay leaf should also be present. In the phase leading to the "heart note," thyme is likely included, which further enhances the sophistication. A hint of rose takes a small, green detour to the well-recognizable saffron and probably also ginger, which heats things up, but the mint, which still has a say, knows how to cool it down enough so that you don't "burn your nose." Once again, an olfactory "coup" that already makes the fragrance "niche."
This warm-cold interplay remains for a long time, not static, it really "swirls" around in there! Shaken and stirred.
When the already early announced wood-resin blend emerges, I can recognize both balsamic and dry woods. NO OUD! Probably cypress/ arborvitae and cedar. Additionally, there is a "myrrh"-smoky undertone. And: Still mint and thyme!
How "niche" is THAT?
Longevity: over 15 hours! Sillage: good, but not "overloaded"!

First of all, a big thank you to my old Parfumo colleague "DrDorian" who recommended this fragrance to me.
I had always refused to buy or test the scent because I heard it was very similar to "Wafa | Ard Al Zaafaran / ارض الزعفران التجارية".
And I really couldn't handle the Wafa.
Fortunately, it doesn't smell like Wafa at all.

Instead, Awsaaf reminds me of Spicebomb Extreme, Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum, and very slightly of something like Herod.
It is not a dupe of these fragrances, but one could say it has drawn inspiration from one or the other scent.

Aswaan starts off quite alcoholic, which is completely normal for the small price of €11.99.
The quality in the opening is really not the best, but one shouldn't be discouraged by that.
In the first 1-2 minutes, just don't sniff at the spot where you just sprayed.
In the air, it smells completely different anyway.
Up close, I immediately perceive elemi resin and pepper in a pleasantly sweet way.
But in the air, it smells like vanilla and cinnamon to me, strangely enough.

Later in the dry down, it becomes spicy, but the sweetness remains.
Tonka bean and myrrh become noticeable.
I actually only perceive all of this when I smell close to my clothing.
Otherwise, I get a mix of Spicebomb Extreme and Tobacco Vanille.
Just not quite as spicy and not quite as sweet.
Almost like a Spicebomb Extreme / Tobacco Vanille light.

Towards the end, the fragrance becomes increasingly resinous, though as I said, I don't perceive much of that in the air.
In the air, I am simply enveloped by a very creamy, sweet cinnamon-vanilla cloud with a touch of cola and honey.

Unfortunately, the performance is not the best.
It lags significantly behind its role models.
Sillage and longevity are both decent, I would say.
Slightly weaker than most Lattafa fragrances I have tested, but for the small price, one has to make some compromises.

The perfume smells unisex to me, even though it is supposed to be a men's fragrance.

My conclusion: Awsaaf is one of the best fragrances under €15.
I am very glad I gave it a chance.
And I can only recommend it further.
You definitely get much more than what you pay for here.

When I stayed in Berlin for a few days last year, I absolutely had to visit one of those shops that offer, among other things, oriental fragrances. I had already informed myself about the huge range of products on their webshop and was then able to test the most appealing creations on-site. Many perfumes fell through the cracks for me, but Al Awsaaf (translated: The Descriptions) completely convinced me with its bottle, scent, the brand Lattafa, and moreover, its price.

In the end, I couldn't resist at €9.90. Even with prices online ranging from €10 to €30, you can't go wrong much.
Since no notes are currently listed here, I’ll quickly provide them for a little orientation:
Top notes: Pink Pepper, Violet, Elemi.
Middle notes: Spices, Tonka Bean, Myrrh, Cedarwood.
Base notes: Patchouli, Oud, Musk, Oakmoss.

As a result, you get a truly wonderful oriental Eau de Parfum with resinous and spicy elements in top-notch quality. The scent also shifts between a hint of honey, dried fruits, and vanilla or tonka bean notes, along with a touch of cinnamon. Sometimes I think I can sniff a bit of cola with a tiny splash of brandy. Without amber, it still radiates warmth and coziness and does not come across as unbearably sweet at all.

What I especially like is its complex character and noble aura. Nothing smells cheap here. On the contrary: one would estimate its value to be several times higher. Therefore, I give a relaxed 10 points regarding the value for money without hesitation and an absolute recommendation, as long as one can appreciate oriental fragrances.