Fareb Pierre Guillaume 2010
1
Arid and Spicy with an Airy Immortelle Note
Love this one. I can see myself acquiring a bottle once my sample is gone. At first, just like a few other people, I thought it was in the same ballpark as Fate Man from Amouage. Then I compared them side by side and they felt rather different. Sure, they both feature a prominent cumin note but Fate is more focused on the spices, frankincense, and the resins, whereas Fareb focuses on the cumin, immortelle, and the dry woods/leather in the base.
Now, I feel a similar perfume to Fareb, recently discontinued, was Serge Lutens' El Attarine. I much appreciated that one and respected how unique and different it was but ultimately I could not bring myself to purchase a bottle as it felt too "feminine" for me. Too shy and suave. For me, Fareb feels like a "masculine" counterpart to El Attarine. No honey or fruits, much drier, woodier, with just as much focus on cumin (yay), a good amount of ginger, and perceivable yet soft dusty leather. I love Serge Lutens and wish this is how El Attarine smelt but I think Fareb will take that place in my collection. It satisfies both my craving for cumin and immortelle and is rather unique. It makes me think of Egypt. A very underrated scent from a house that hides many such jewels that only few know about. I need to dig deeper now:)
UPDATE: After more sampling and comparing further with my Palais El Attarine I have to say I prefer the latter. There are some annoying woody-ambers in Fareb's base that albeit not prominent bother my nose. El Attarine feels rounder, more suave, and natural smelling. Still, I believe Fareb is worth checking out for those who enjoy Imoortelle and Cumin in fragrances.
Now, I feel a similar perfume to Fareb, recently discontinued, was Serge Lutens' El Attarine. I much appreciated that one and respected how unique and different it was but ultimately I could not bring myself to purchase a bottle as it felt too "feminine" for me. Too shy and suave. For me, Fareb feels like a "masculine" counterpart to El Attarine. No honey or fruits, much drier, woodier, with just as much focus on cumin (yay), a good amount of ginger, and perceivable yet soft dusty leather. I love Serge Lutens and wish this is how El Attarine smelt but I think Fareb will take that place in my collection. It satisfies both my craving for cumin and immortelle and is rather unique. It makes me think of Egypt. A very underrated scent from a house that hides many such jewels that only few know about. I need to dig deeper now:)
UPDATE: After more sampling and comparing further with my Palais El Attarine I have to say I prefer the latter. There are some annoying woody-ambers in Fareb's base that albeit not prominent bother my nose. El Attarine feels rounder, more suave, and natural smelling. Still, I believe Fareb is worth checking out for those who enjoy Imoortelle and Cumin in fragrances.