Noor Rasasi 2018

Wow is the correct word to use for this fragrance! Not only is the presentation gorgeous, but the fragrance is also even better. It smells really good and it changes so much that you really don't know what part of the fragrance phase that you are going to get. It changes more than a little kid changing channels. A nice citrus up top along with rose, oud and patchouli in the base. With spices coming from the amber and cardamom. Each note changes, making a very complex scent.

Already after my first trip to the Orient and the Arabian Peninsula, it was quickly clear that a different breeze blows there in terms of fragrance. Oud, heavy amber scents - we all know - set the tone. And those who succumb to these ubiquitous fragrances quickly find themselves on a years-long quest for the perfect scent that evokes memories and is so close to the perfect Oriental oud that one can easily lose track.

Nebras Al Ishq Noor is certainly quite close to that. I myself have tested over 80 fragrances in my career, most of them of oriental origin or heading in that direction. Many have stayed, many have gone. The eternal discussions of "real oud" or "western oud" are all part of engaging with the topic.
Ultimately, it always comes down to personal taste and how a fragrance feels. And I find that products from the Orient simply always have the upper hand in this regard.

And so, Rasasis Noor makes a real impression. The oil has power, comes with monster sillage and a handsome bottle. But the most important thing is the content:

This oud comes quite close to my perfect Arabic fragrance. I would describe it as a Mukhallat, covering everything that oriental scents must be able to do. It starts citrusy fresh, quickly moves in a green direction with a bitter edge, becomes incredibly soft and cuddly, and provides plenty of oud without overwhelming you. The blend just works here and is a lot of fun. The fragrance components oscillate back and forth for my taste from the very beginning; there isn’t a real progression. From start to finish, it remains beautifully consistent.

Daily dosage recommendation: 3 drops once a day...and the oud world is just fine.