Safwa
Al Haramain

A deep golden coloured oil which reveals the perfume of an old cedar casket filled with spices and eastern ambery mixes. If that sounds too full on, it is worth remembering that the feel of Safwa is creamy and smooth, so none of its rich players actually overpower; its projection doesn't broadcast you to the whole wide world either, settling instead at a well-judged middle distance.
Heavy spices in a perfume usually cause me discomfort, so the first thing I note is that though Safwa has a good dose (clove, cardamom, cinnamon, in that order of strength) they are contained in the brightest of ambers, translucent and gently sweet, backed by triple-milled vanilla, a dab of earthy but also greasy patchouli and weathered aromatic woods. This is a comfort scent and would provide a nice warming glow on a cool evening.
It has a tantalizing bit at the opening section, where fresh herbal notes give it quite a lively feel. Alas, they recede quite quickly into the background where, mixing with the sweeter elements, they contribute a curious old school ‘man cologne' touch. It doesn't quite jar but it doesn't seem entirely at home in the mix either, and finally departs after about four hours.
Safwa has a long evolution and the later stages are marked by a fascinating ebb and flow effect where sometimes the vanilla and amber aspect is more upfront, and sometimes the spicy woody one. There is plenty here to keep the nose interested for the entire day that one application will last.