Persona
AbdesSalaam Attar Profumo

This has been compared to the excellent Oakmoss and I can see why. Persona is gentler without that sharp Oakmoss hit and is simply a very nice woody oriental. And it lasts. Just when you think its worn off any hint of physical activity and it re ignites as if you just dabbed it on.
This is a solid 7.75/10. If only it had a bit more of a twist to it as it does run linear without that much complexity, something to be a yin to the woody yang this would have gone to 8.5. This is really what stops it becoming a signature fragrance. It is why I trounced poor old Tom Ford's Oud Wood. Persona is several orders of magnitude better than that frigid offering.

Fragrance: 7.75/10
Projection: 8/10
Longevity: 8.5/10

Persona had a lot of outdoorsy notes I usually love, but on my skin they came acros harsh and roughly masculine. It was like wearing men's logging pants. I'd like to smell this on a man though.

For those who have tried natural botanicals, they don't always smell 'natural'. Credit still has to go to the perfumer for mixing in just the right amount of natural ingredients to create the desired impressions. If the goal here is to recreate a harmonious scent reminiscent of a cool brisk morning hike up a forested trail, then I think Salaam has delivered. I was hardly surprised to discover later that PERSONA was actually a bespoke formulation for a guy who loves nature!

On my skin, this is mostly a cool grassy vetiver and creamy sandalwood, with citrus-woodsy undertones, presumably from high grade neroli. The bracing lift from frankincense and petitgrain is most prominent in the first hour, imbuing it with deep dark almost pine-green hues but bow out gracefully as vetiver takes centerstage, combining seamlessly with sandalwood in the base to create an accord that recalls the drydown in Amouage Memoir Man or Xerjoff Modoc. High praise indeed!

Personally I might have preferred a little more frankincense in it but concede that it could alter the desired first impression. That said, this remains a remarkably calming and contemplative scent, perfect for that affable down-to-earth personality.