Nazih Gold

First Impressions & Dry Down

Nazih Gold initiates with a bracing nutmeg blast, quickly shadowed by a rather sharp saffron accord. The black pepper is present, yet subdued, lending a mild piquancy rather than pronounced spice. The opening deviates from its inspiration in that the oud influence is subtly detectable from the initial spray, creating a muddied opening. The heart features a powdery iris that clashes with the emerging woody notes. The cedar is less refined than expected, more like pencil shavings than freshly cut wood. The labdanum presents a resinous sweetness, yet lacks the complexity to properly bind the iris and woods. The drydown leans heavily on a synthetic agarwood note, projecting a chemical, almost medicinal quality. The leather accord is present but muted, while the sandalwood offers a creamy sweetness that partially offsets the agarwood's harshness, but not enough to achieve balance.

Final Thoughts

This fragrance might appeal to someone who favors bold, woody scents, but with a tolerance for synthetic notes. The ideal wearer is someone with a penchant for heavily spiced orientals, and would wear this casually.

Wear time & Sillage

Longevity is impressive, clocking in at around 8 hours on skin. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, extending to about an arm's length, before gradually receding closer to the skin. I tested this while working in an office environment and found the initial projection somewhat intrusive.