Diwani Rabat

Is it Worth It?

This is a fragrance best suited for cooler months, perhaps early spring or late autumn. The sweetness makes it more appropriate for evening wear. Diwani Rabat would not feel out of place at a casual social gathering or a dimly lit cocktail bar, worn by someone with a penchant for bold, gourmand-leaning scents, yet it lacks the elegance to feel at home in more upscale environments. This is a fragrance for those who enjoy making a statement, albeit a slightly rough-around-the-edges one.

Scent Breakdown

Diwani Rabat launches with an assertive sweetness, reminiscent of canned peaches in heavy syrup, tempered by a grapefruit note that verges on astringent cleaner. The black currant is fleeting, a ghost of dark berry jam. The heart attempts to bloom with tuberose and magnolia, but the effect is somewhat muffled, as if smelling the flowers through a thick sheet of plastic. The iris offers a powdery contrast, yet registers as a sharp, almost metallic note, rather than the soft, rooty orris it should be. As it dries, the promised birch emerges with a smoky, leather-like impression, though it is joined by a cedar that smells heavily of pencil shavings and a vetiver so muted it offers little earthiness. In comparison to its inspiration, this feels like a simplified, less nuanced interpretation, missing the refined floral sophistication and the smooth, enveloping warmth.

Longevity & Projection

On my skin, Diwani Rabat lasts approximately 5-6 hours. The projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, before settling closer to the skin at around an arm's length. I wore this during a humid summer afternoon and found the sweetness overwhelming. A second wearing during a cool evening yielded a slightly more balanced experience, but the underlying synthetic quality remained present.