STEPHANE HUMBERT LUCAS
ISRA & MIRAJ

2019

Bergamot
Tangerine
Nutmeg
Cinnamon

Heliotrope
Osmanthus absolute
Vanilla

Sandalwood
Amber
Patchouli
White Musk
Leather
Oud

‘To celebrate the 7 year anniversary of the 777 collection, Stephane Humbert Lucas Paris reconnects with its original inspiration and emphasizes on spirituality and wonders of the East. A meticulous work, where the know-how of the french perfumery dedicates itself to three mythic ingredients of great oriental perfumes, Amber, Musk and Oud.’ – Stephane Humbert Lucas

Stephane Humbert Lucasis a brand that had been on my radar for a long time, before I got my nose on it. I’d blind-bought two of their fragrances at first (Panthea Iris and Khol De Bahrein), but I didn’t fall in love with them, aside from the bottle designs. When I finally had the chance to try more of them, the one that did it for me was Isra & Miraj.

This fragrance instantly grabbed me, despite smelling quite familiar. If you like Guerlain Shalimar, Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur or Chanel Le Lion, Isra & Miraj will be in your wheelhouse. However, dare I say it, this exceeds those in my opinion.

First of all, Isra & Miraj smells like money. It’s rich, luxurious, gaudy. While being a powdery fragrance, the core feels like a thick syrup. You get that woody powdery vanilla with a lot of spices and bergamot.

As far as strength and density goes, it’s not nearly up to par with Le Lion, but it’s a much easier to wear and a smoother fragrance. The bergamot in the opening is one of my favorite elements and it keeps the sweetness and heavier notes in check with a beautiful brightness.

While mostly dominated by a spiced vanilla, I wouldn’t call this a gourmand. The cinnamon and nutmeg are punching through and there’s a slight tinge of fruity leather from the osmanthus.

I do not get any oud, nor animalic tinges in Isra & Miraj, making this easier and a bit more casual smelling than Musc Ravageur. It feels so well-rounded, in scent, intensity and texture. And it’s addictive; I keep wanting to smell my arm as the projection fades rather quickly (with great longevity though).

It easily stood out for me after sampling dozens of fragrances on the day I bought it and I haven’t changed my mind since. Isra & Miraj feels like a comforting, but regal and majestic fragrance. Call it a dressed up Shalimar, a modernized Musc Ravageur or a tamed Le Lion; it’s simply so good that it’s hard to use the comparisons against it.