Athoor Al Alam Al Zahra Aswad

How it Smells

Athoor Al Alam Al Zahra Aswad opens with a bright, peppery lift. The bergamot is fleeting, primarily serving to amplify the pink pepper’s sharpness. Hedione imparts a noticeable airy, almost metallic quality – a common trait in rose-centric fragrances seeking lift. The heart is where the purported rose trio attempts to mimic Atomic Rose. Bulgarian and Turkish rose are present, but lack the depth and velvety texture of the original. There is a synthetic edge here, a slightly raspy quality where Atomic Rose is smooth. Jasmine is present, yet plays a supporting role. The drydown attempts vanilla and amber, resulting in a sweet, slightly powdery finish. The vanilla is more vanillin-esque than a true Madagascar extract. It achieves about 81% similarity to Atomic Rose, missing the textural richness and the seamless blending.

Conclusion

A solid effort for a clone. If you crave the Atomic Rose DNA but balk at the price, Athoor Al Alam Al Zahra Aswad provides a reasonable facsimile. The original possesses a higher level of refinement, no question. However, for approximately 1/10th of the price, this clone delivers a respectable rendition.

The Performance Stats

The projection is moderate for the first two hours, creating a noticeable scent bubble. It quickly retracts closer to the skin after that. Longevity is decent, hovering around 6-7 hours on my skin. Reapplication is advisable for a full workday.