‘Socotra is a rare and groundbreaking fragrance, a collaboration between Hunayn and Dr. Rajesh Balkrishnan, capturing the untamed essence of the Socotra Archipelago. Inspired by the island’s legendary Dragon’s Blood Tree and the sacred bakhoor traditions of the Socotran Yemenis, this perfume is a deep, resinous, and smoky tribute to one of the world’s most unique landscapes. Its striking red hue comes from an aged tincture of Dragon’s Blood Resin, enriched with Saffron Oleoresin and Civet Absolute, while Red Hojari Frankincense, Olibanum, and Malaysian Oud recreate the island’s burning incense rituals. A touch of Tobacco, Cinnamon, and rare Ambergris completes the composition, evoking the richness of Socotra’s biodiversity and culture. Socotra is an island unlike any other. Nestled in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Yemen, it stands as a world of its own—home to flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. Its landscapes feel almost mythical, with ancient mountains, deep valleys, and the striking silhouette of the Dragon’s Blood Tree, whose crimson sap has been revered for centuries for its medicinal and cultural significance. When Dr. Rajesh Balkrishnan and Hunayn embarked on this project, the challenge was clear: how does one capture an entire island in a bottle? The biodiversity, the traditions, the scent of the land itself—there was no single defining feature that could encapsulate Socotra. Instead, we sought to bottle its very essence, weaving together its wild beauty, its sacred rituals, and its deep connection to history. The Dragon’s Blood Resin became our heart note—not just as an olfactory signature but as a visual and conceptual anchor. Aged and tinctured, it infuses Socotra with its deep red hue and bold, resinous depth. To honour the local Yemeni traditions, we turned to the art of bakhoor burning, incorporating rare Red Hojari Frankincense, Olibanum, and Malaysian Oud to echo the sacred smoke that fills Socotran homes and gatherings. Every element was carefully chosen: the fire and spice of Chili Seed and Cinnamon, the animalic richness of Civet Absolute, the warmth of Tobacco and Benzoin, and the rarest forms of Ambergris to give the composition a natural, oceanic lift—an echo of the island’s coastal winds. Socotra is not just a perfume. It is an olfactory feat—one that has never been attempted before. This is the scent of an untouched paradise, a land of wonder, bottled with precision and reverence.’ – Hunayn Parfums
