Musk Al Andalus

“Musk Al Andalus is a spicy and floral perfume inspired by Al Andalus, known as a model of tolerance with one of the leading cultural and economic centres of its time: Cordoba.”

The oil is a bright saffron-yellow colour that unfurls its aroma very awkwardly at the start. It begins sour and oddly faecal (and at this stage I don’t like it at all.) BUT after 10 minutes, it warms, relaxes and the florals come through. It softens and completely transforms into a beautifully feminine, spicy, soapy, rose-based scent.

My Spanish blood should relate to this Andalusian inspired scent, although I’m surprised there are no oranges here. Indeed the rural markets of Spain do conjure-up scent memories of saffron, handmade leather goods and the leather saddles on musky Andalusian horses. Once the pretty rose phase begins, it actually reminds me of the bars of soap used to traditionally hand-wash clothes outside in stone basins before being left to dry in the Spanish sun.

But you MUST give ‘Musk Al Andalus’ time for the beautiful rose to bloom, as it’s not there at the start. But when it finally appears, it’s absolutely majestic and it blooms amidst a background of saffron and musk.

The dry-down is a powdery, almost vintage, Oriental floral, which reminds me of 80’s white florals like LouLou (but done the Arabian way).

$19.99 for a 3ml bottle is great value for money as sillage and longevity are all superb.

‘Musk Al Andalus’ is a soapy, Oriental floral, with a spicy, musky rose at its heart.

TOP - Saffron, Fresh Rose

MIDDLE - Flowers Bouquet, Oriental Spices

BASE - Leather, Arabian Black Musk