GALLIVANT
ABU DHABI

2022

PERFUMER
Lucas Sieuzac

Pink Pepper
Clary Sage
Cypress

Saffron
Geranium
Rosemary
orris

Leather
Cedarwood
Patchouli

Gallivant is one the brands that I sampled extensively earlier on in my fragrance journey, but I’ve been slacking on some of their newest releases, but I finally got my nose on Abu Dhabi.

Objectively, I think this is a really interesting perfume for its style, but I also knew instantly it would have an uphill battle convincing me. There’s a sharp saffron here, creating a shoe-leather sort of leather. It’s a smell I’m particularly sensitive about; I actually don’t dislike the scent at all, but it’s something I’m not interested in wearing as a perfume (most notably and recently I smelled it heavily in Matiere Premiere Crystal Saffron). In Abu Dhabi, it’s made sharper and more aromatic; making my first impression a picture of Chrystal Saffron, if it was produced by Acqua Di Parma. Definitely traditionally masculine leaning and on the mature side. That’s one half of the story though.

What I really like in Abu Dhabi is how it transitions into a more woody scent. Texture wise it gets very dry and one might assume that the saffron leather fully takes over (and for a scent named Abu Dhabi, I imagined perhaps more warmth getting added). The opposite is true. The leather becomes less shoe-polish, more dusty and more part of the surroundings with a forest-like tinge. It starts to smell less like a product and more like nature. The fresher cypress won’t let go and overall, the scent-profile is surprisingly fresh; like a forest on a relatively cold Summer’s night. That being said, it’s quite pungent; as with quite a few saffron or leather scents, it is overpowering and creates this relentless, unbroken waft of that scent.

In general, this is not my type of fragrance, but I didn’t expect to end up liking Abu Dhabi nearly as much as I did after the opening.