Istanbul

Istanbul from Al-Jazeera Perfumes, a Qatari house, is a woody fragrance from 2022 with a strong amber side and a quieter musky one. Everyone who has described it calls it woody, and most add amber, so expect something dark and resinous rather than fresh.

The notes are given without a strict order: Laotian oud, cedar, incense, ambergris, sandalwood and musk. Together they suggest a scent that begins with the dry, slightly medicinal depth of oud and the pencil-shaving crispness of cedar, lets incense add a cool smoky thread, and settles into the softer, salty warmth of ambergris and sandalwood with musk smoothing the finish.

It is worn by anyone, and the limited data so far offers no guidance on longevity, sillage or season. Oud and incense compositions of this kind usually sit more comfortably in cooler months and evenings. It is sold as a bottle without a stated volume, so check the listing before buying.

Istanbul — unisex fragrance by Al-Jazeera Perfumes (released 2022). Notes: Ambergris, Cedar, Incense, Laotian Oud, Musk, Sandalwood. — Parfica open fragrance database