FRAGRANCE DU BOIS
SAHRAA
2013
PERFUMER
Francois Merle-Baudoin
Grapefruit
Rose
Geranium
Patchouli
Jasmine
Oud
Saffron
Amber
Black Pepper
Vanilla
Sandalwood
‘Like a moment of stillness broken by unpredictable shifts of racing wind across a vast landscape, Sahraa Oud captures the untamed wilderness of Arabia. It immediately invokes the mystery and majesty of the desert, and has been crafted for the sophisticated palates of both Middle Eastern connoisseurs, and aficionados with discerning tastes alike Beautiful floral top and heart notes of grapefruit, rose absolute, geranium and jasmine, create a symphony that blends softly into base notes of patchouli, sandalwood, saffron, vanilla, amber and Oud. – Fragrance du Bois
If you ask me about my favorite fragrance, on a lot of days Sahraa will be the answer. It was the first one that I smelled from Fragrance du Bois and it’s unquestionably still my favorite (anno july 2024).
You get a nice grapefruit opening, with a subtle rose and geranium, safrron, a lot of sandalwood (might be what I get most) and vanilla. The oud is a bit barnyardy in the first couple of minutes, which can put some people off. Compared to most of the Fragrance du Bois offerings, it has a relatively strong oud, however it fades within literal minutes and then rears it head in the drydown again more softly.
As mentioned I get a lot of sandwalwood in Sahraa and to me creates one of the best textured drydowns in my collection. It’s full and dense, yet smooth and almost airy. I don’t get a lot of florals in it and I’ve never seen Sahraa as a archetypical rose-oud.
It’s a statement maker, but at the same time not too heavy (and not the strongest performer). What it is however, is the King in my collection.
Sidenote: There are a lot of questions (and misconceptions) about the old vs. new Sahraa. I own both a 2020 bottle courtesy of the brand and an older style bottle that I bought myself. The name changed from Sahraa Oud to Sahraa, the juice color is very different and instead of Eau de Parfum, the newer bottles say Parfum, but I can confirm that anno 2024 they are the exact same release and concentration. I’ve worn them side by side multiple times and the only noticeable difference for me is a stronger saffron, leathery vibe in the old bottle, likely due to aging. Otherwise they give the same exact wearing experience and performance.
