Khamrah Waha

خمرة

Lattafa 2026

Lattafa and Jordi Fernandez kept the sweet-spicy DNA of the line, but added freshness, air and much better wearability for warmer temperatures.

The opening feels brighter and cleaner, but after the first hour the familiar vanilla/tonka sweetness reminds you that yes... this is still very much a Khamrah.

In my opinion, more versatile and easier to wear than the OGs (especially in hotter countries -- I'm from Rio de Janeiro, living in Doha), but still not something I would personally wear in extreme summer heat. To me, might fit best for spring brunches, evenings/fall.

If you are already a fan of the Khamrah line, this is probably a safe blind buy. For everyone else, I'd recommend testing first.

Weird composition, opening is kinda fresh, kinda fruity sweet. kinda mature and sophisticated. Its complex but few notes are making Waha off putting. Its sweet and salty, Im not a fan of salty vanilla. What I sense the most is sweetness of vanilla and yuzu, but juniper berries and overall composition reminds me of gin. It becomes pleasant after few minutes but the overpowering initial whiff left me shocked and somewhat intrigued. I wonder if the drydown fall more in line with Khamrah DNA so in the end its like layered Khamrah with fresh or aromatic fragrance. Will update on the drydown. Overall Waha seems too sweet to my nose to be worn in heat of +25C as it may be cloying.

#edit: drydown is toned down, so point for that as the whole composition is well blended and not disconnected as I feared. Sweet gin & tonic vibes at the drydown, not my cup of tea, not a must have, interesting but not my cup of tea and even if the whole composition is well blended I dont know who would like sweet and bitter combo, quite odd, but hey! Bittersweet is a thing! Pardon me as english is not my native language and it just hit me Would be a funny thing if there would be any LV Symphony resemblance in Khamrah Waha - Bittersweet Symphony, you get it?

Waha is a fine composition because drydown and Khamrah DNA doesnt fight the fresh and aromatic opening, its toning down as time passes becoming warm and cozy skin scent, the same as approaching evening and sunset I like how my POV shifted and the composition developed, maybe Waha will grow on me.

A summer banger. Opens Ultra Male but quickly takes turn into Le Beau direction. Also it shares some similarities with Rare Reef or its inspiration. Sandalwood is not listed but there seems to be some in the base. Barely detectable resemblance to the original on paper and zero when worn in the heat. If it feels cloying or too sweet, you're old.

Khamrah Waha has done exactly what I hoped for: take the sweet-spicy Khamrah DNA and give it a bit more air and freshness. As someone who enjoys wearing the regular Khamrah in winter, the blind buy was almost inevitable - and in the end, I was not disappointed.

The opening is noticeably fresher and lighter than the original. Bergamot and ginger immediately bring in that zesty, slightly spicy freshness, while the juniper adds almost a somewhat aromatic and cool touch. And yes, you can actually smell that much-discussed cucumber juice. Fortunately, not in a cheap shower gel way, but more like a fresh, slightly salty summer breeze with a green undertone. Together with the sea salt, it all comes across surprisingly modern and almost clean.

Things get interesting in the drydown, as it quickly becomes clear that we are still in the Khamrah world. The vanilla, tonka bean, and that warm amber base come through familiar and strongly remind me of the original - just less heavy, less sticky, and interpreted in a distinctly more summery way. That’s why I honestly find the criticism from some people a bit silly: Of course, you can pick out Khamrah, after all, it’s a fragrance from exactly this line. For me, that’s more the point.

However, it probably won’t be a daily wear for me. The DNA is simply too special and present for that. But especially on warm summer evenings or when I crave something sweet with a fresher twist, I will definitely enjoy wearing it. For me, a sensible flanker that doesn’t replace the original but rather complements it seasonally.

To me, Waha smells like early summer at the coast. Spray, sun, warm stone, fresh sea breeze, sun-warmed stone meets. It smells of thermals, photosynthesis, and sea salt. Not sweet, not fruity, not citrusy, no barbershop vibe; instead, fresh and well-groomed unisex. I seek in fragrances memories of perfect moments. I have found that here. I still need to test further, but these are my first associations.