LEVENT
QUEEN OF OTTOMAN
2021
Amber
Floral Notes
Powdery Notes
Balsamic
Cambodian Oud
Malaysian Oud
Trat Oud
Straight from the opening you get a healthy dose of sweet (Cambodian) oud. It’s not challenging one bit, but it does have a good, slightly smoky, dense woody kick. The rose that’s used here comes across subtle, also smoky or even metallic; it reminds me a little bit of how I perceived the rose in Areej Le Dore Ottoman Empire III.
There’s a cola-like tinge to the scent, especially in the first hour. It’s not as sparkling and bright as some cola-openings can be, more so like one of those cola syrups to put in a Soda Stream.
I’ve previously reviewed Levent’s Les Imperiale. That has a heavier, more earthy and hay-like opening, but it transforms completely into a brighter orris-centric mid. I get a similar backbone here. It’s what makes the fragrance stand out in my opinion. It’s not ‘just’ a sweet oud with rose like many others. It’s like the oud is covered in a thick orris paste with the rose weaving in and out, subtle, but noticeable. It’s mostly a smoky woody scent, a rather versatile one.
It strikes the perfect balance for me. Les Imperiale, which I mentioned earlier, was a bit rugged in the opening, whereas Levent’s Seraglio was a lot more acidic and floral. This feels like a smoother mix between the two with an added dose of sweetness and it’s more to my preference.
Performance is solid, although as an attar it doesn’t project much, but it will last ages.
