Once in a while, a fragrance comes along that breaks the mould. Where ‘No.5’ knows its legendary status, Armani Privé’s ‘Rose d’Arabie’ knows that it’s prestigious, but it’s a modern-day classic of phenomenal proportions. It’s the best (by far) from Armani’s Privé (private) collection.

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Rose with oud is a note combination that frequently features in Arabian fragrances, so it’s certainly nothing new, but this blend in particular is exemplary. It’s the most mouth-watering oud/rose combo with a tangy blackcurrant bite. Others have already attempted their own renditions, (the closest being Jo Malone’s ‘Velvet Rose & Oud’) but it’s a raspier, less smoothly blended synergy of notes - it’s almost an embarrassment to smell once you’re familiar with Armani’s.

 

‘Rose d’Arabie’ is elegant black magic perfection. In the winter, it becomes my blackcurrant-coloured scarf of dark sensuality. Teamed-up with a little black dress and expensive gold accessories, that’s my Christmas party sorted. Way before the evenings become lighter, I quit wearing it, and achieve it into my treasured display cabinet until the nights are cold again.

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£225 for the 100ml is expensive, but when the juice is created impeccably, with over 12 hours worth of longevity, one bottle of ‘Rose d’Arabie’ surpasses 4 bottles of something inferior. It’s one of the best performing scents upon my skin and clothes I’ve ever experienced.

 

The exact notes are shrouded in a little mystery. To my nose, the Damascus rose is succulent, tart and jammy and is disallowed from being the sole limelight stealer. The oud is a pleasant, wearable oud, so is more like Cambodian oud as it’s sweet and fruity rather than barnyardy. The saffron spices it up a touch and the patchouli with amber smooths it into a deeper, darker, more delicious place. Luckily, if does contain vanilla (sometimes I read that it does and we all know that I hate it) it’s undetectable. Armani describes it as “a majestic ode to the essence of rose. Spicy with flashes of saffron at the outset, it chooses patchouli and dark woods in order to develop at the heart. At the base it gives itself up to the sensual harmonies of golden amber. For Giorgio Armani Damascus rose is the "incarnation of sensuality; it has the rhythm of purple and gold silk: slow, radiant and shimmering.”

 

‘Rose d’Arabie’ is an extraordinary scent. It immediately went to my favourites list and has remained there ever since. It’s my longest standing favourite.