AREEJ LE DORE
GUL HINA

2022

PERFUMER
Russian Adam

Bergamot
Magnolia

Henna Flowers
Rose and Jasmine distilled in White Musk

Sandalwood

I enjoyed sampling the recent History of Attars collection (I prefer it over the attars, Chinese Oud, Aquilaria Blossom & the 6th collection). Mysore Incenza, Gul Hina & Ambre Coco were my favorites. Gul Hina is probably the first I’d recommend, given its more than reasonable price point (€160).

Gul Hina is the lightest and easiest to wear one from this collection by quite a large margin. Comparison have even been made to (women’s) designer releases and it is indeed in that general direction. However you still get the ‘artisinal’ ingredients and Areej styling. I instantly loved it.

Straight from the opening I get a lemonade-esque floral. The bergamot is very prominent with a nondescript floral tinge. However, I also get a sweetness. Initially it’s like a chocolate dusting, whereas later it turns into more of a caramelized vibe; yet it never gets cloying.

There’s a juiciness to the composition that I was missing in the florals with attar collection. The base of sandalwood comes through and it makes the drydown more creamy, but it remains a light fragrance overall (and performance is not its strong suit).

The drydown is also on the sweeter side, perhaps a tad spicy. It grows more powdery as the juicy opening fades.

I’ve received questions about the henna that’s used in this. My experience to henna is limited to Dixit & Zak Oud Rosa, which was a much more earthy, patchouli-esque experience to my nose. Here I wouldn’t be able to say if I smell henna or what it’s supposed to smell like. Perhaps it’s the greener tinge, but that also reminds me of the jasmine that I smelled in the attars, so I’m not sure.

Either way, this is probably my favorite of the History Of Attars and definitely the best value proposition.