Solitaire by Al Haramain Perfumes

I’ve been absolutely obsessed with this perfume since it arrived. The packaging is stunning—far better than many luxury brands. It’s a blue cardboard box that opens like a book, and inside, the metal bottle is nestled in velvet foam with a flawless finish. You’d never guess it costs only €15. After being blown away visually, you open the bottle, sniff the glass stick, and immediately surrender to its charms. What a beautiful scent: spiced leather, unisex, and exquisite. It starts with a burst of bergamot and lemon that at times drowns out a soft, velvety tobacco, filled with a sea of citrus, green, and herbal nuances; a full-bodied, fresh, and elegant aroma. Then the citrus fades, revealing a touch of cumin, reminding me a bit of Amouage’s Interlude thanks to that signature spice. Here you get soft tobacco with faint lingering citrus notes but heavily spiced by cumin, all built over a bed of semi-sweet woods with the first whispers of leather. Gradually, the leather takes center stage, the woody notes rise, the cumin and tobacco soften, and the citrus disappears, leaving us with a woody, spiced leather with faint tobacco traces and a vertigo-inducing earthy-balsamic patchouli note. Personally, I love it—it’s a perfume with power and character without losing elegance or that opulent, showy touch worthy of much more expensive perfumes. The dry-down is pure addiction… As for performance, it’s amazing, lasting over 10 hours on skin without fading, with a powerful trail at first, then settling slightly to moderate but always noticeable. This type of perfume is perfect for cold and temperate climates, and of course for evening wear, though it’s also a magnificent, non-sticky option for fresh daytime formal events. Could you ask for more? Well, yes, but not at this price. A beautiful perfume in every way, gorgeous on the outside and stunning on the inside. A must-try for leather and tobacco lovers, and highly recommended for everyone else too.

Solid choice; I’d been eyeing Solitaire for a while because of its notes and reviews, so the decision was made. Luckily, a friend took the plunge first, and her bravery was worth it. I detect a citrus opening with a hint of cardamom in the background, a move that leads nicely into leather and tobacco, the two stars. There are more notes that give it character. I don’t think it has a distinctly feminine vibe here; it depends on the attitude. I remember a friend who smelled like garlic mixed with lotion and perfume—a crazy combo that drove me crazy along with her Benedetti quotes full of intention. Decent projection and excellent longevity. It’s not high-end niche quality, but it crushes mainstream department store fragrances that smell like aged whiskey with two parts water and three ice cubes. I really liked it, but it’s not for those looking for compliments or to reinforce someone else’s identity. I’d recommend trying it, but it’s hard if you don’t know someone who already owns it. Anyway, even just for the bottle, it’s worth the risk.

Just received it and the presentation is stunning: magnetic box and the perfume in an ornate figure that looks like it costs ten times more (I got it for 13 euros). The opening is very citrusy, slightly more feminine than masculine. Later, leather emerges with hints of Kelsey Berwin Huberta flowers; they share a floral note, but I find the Kelsey one more masculine. There’s a smoky touch, though very subtle—I don’t really smell the tobacco. Performance is brutal. It smells much better on my girlfriend than on me. For the price, you can’t ask for more. I give it a 7.

The oil arrived, not an air freshener. It comes in a stunning container that looks like metal with stones, giving a luxurious feel. I paid $23 for 30 ml. It smells incredible—you can definitely detect the cumin, tobacco, and cedar. It’s a distinct scent, green and without any sweetness or masculine notes. Very happy with the purchase.