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Elysium
5
Dokha, Midwakh And fine Whisky
What is Dokha? Let’s dive into the details. Dokha is Arabic tobacco that is smoked through a Medwakh pipe. Very popular in the Middle East for many decades, it was originally used by shepherds who grazed their flocks. It was then smoked by sailors because it was suitable for use at sea. Over the next hundred years, the use of Dokha tobacco spread, but it became more and more the preserve of the rich and powerful. It was seen as a symbol of wealth, as is often the case with something newly launched on the market. However, it took some time before it was widely adopted by the general population of the Middle East. What is Dokha made of? Dokha is pure, natural and original Arabic-breed tobacco. They grind it in a timely and delicate manner to preserve its strength, freshness, and pure taste. Due to the low degree of processing, Dokha tobacco appears substantially unaltered from the leaves of plants grown in the field, maintaining the green colour. Tobacco is smoked almost exclusively through a specialized pipe called a midwakh.
Leaving aside this ingredient for a moment, I wanted to try this fragrance because of the whiskey accord reported on some sites. It’s no secret that my second passion after perfumes is smoked and peaty Scottish whiskeys. Tobacco, pipe and distillate ... is this exactly what we are talking about?
Tobacco Oud immediately releases a massive alcoholic accord without hesitation or supporting notes. There is no room here for citrusy, airy or aquatic notes. We are dealing with dense, dark, almost sacred matter. The alcoholic note is that of whiskey with resinous nuances. The flavour of this one doesn't remind me of a peat whiskey like Ardbeg, or Lagavulin, the smokiest and most complex peaty single malt on the island of Islay. Instead, it reminds me of bourbon like Jack Daniel’s Gentleman. As the whiskey and dirty base notes are in your face, it isn't for the faint of heart.
It takes a few minutes for the boozy accord to fade, and then a warm, tobacco-leafy note oozes from the blend. It is a persuasive, semi-sweet, spicy, intoxicating, unconventional tobacco that tickles the nose. Don’t think of a cigarette, or worse a cigar, but of something like a mix of crumbled tobacco leaves with spices, nuts, flowers and herbs. Among the spices, cinnamon is outstanding. Now, the scent is smoky and a bit dirty due to the incense and patchouli ingredients. Something is compelling about Tobacco Oud.
As it dries, olibanum and hot benzoin become more prominent, and the former is far too pungent. The oud, on the other hand, is muted while tobacco reigns softly and dominates the entire composition. Alcoholic whiskey hasn’t really faded away either, but it’s a whisper now. The perfume is a sweet, warm, woody skin veil, neither too smoky nor too animalic. I'd say that oud is a well-made product and is not a cough syrup, as it could be if it's not handled properly. Eventually, if you’re anything like me, you might pick up a few shades of honey from time to time.
In conclusion, Tobacco Oud is more about tobacco than an oud. The former dominates while the latter is minimal and supportive. It is a perfume to be preferred during the autumn and winter months. Ingredients such as spices and resins are not very effective in the heat, but they do very well in the cold. For more formal evening and night events. Although I don't like to associate perfume with gender, I believe this unisex perfume has a masculine side. Don’t buy blindly, unless you are in love with smoky, resinous fragrances. This is my personal experience with this gem and I shouldn’t influence anyone.
I base the review on a decant I have owned since October 2022.
-Elysium