Anqaa

The Verdict

If Anqaa were a movie character, it would be a supporting character in a teen rom-com; present, vaguely appealing, but ultimately forgettable and lacking any real depth.

Scent Breakdown

Anqaa opens with a forceful ginger, more candied than fresh. It lacks the zesty bite of natural ginger root, presenting instead a cloying sweetness reminiscent of ginger hard candy. The woody heart emerges quickly, a melange of indistinct synthetic woods. There's a pencil shavings dryness mingled with a vaguely sweet, cedar-like accord. This differs markedly from the original, which boasts a richer, more nuanced woody composition. The drydown is where Anqaa attempts redemption with a creamy bourbon vanilla. However, even here, it's tinged with a plasticky vanillin, imparting a slight artificiality. The bourbon aspect is dialed down, lacking the boozy depth. Overall, the scent leans towards a simplistic, linear sweetness, lacking the complexity and evolution of its inspiration.

How Long Does it Last?

Longevity is moderate, clocking in at around 5-6 hours on skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a small room for the first hour before settling into a more intimate arm's length bubble. I tested this during a day of office work, and while not offensive, it did become somewhat tiresome towards the end of the day due to the unrelenting sweetness.