Al Kaser

Conclusion

If Al Kaser were a character in a movie, it would be a knock-off Bond villain – all the posturing, but none of the menacing charm.

How it Smells

Al Kaser throws a lot at you right from the start. It's a boisterous opening of medicinal saffron with a sharp, almost antiseptic lavender. The bergamot struggles to cut through, like a citrus fruit left out too long. The heart softens slightly; the geranium adds a powdery floral touch, but the tobacco note is less refined tobacco leaf and more stale cigarette ash. The oud is present, but it has a synthetic edge, reminiscent of wood cleaner. The drydown is where this fragrance falters. The leather is plasticky, the patchouli smells like damp earth, and the oud lingers with a faint whiff of burning rubber. In comparison to its inspiration, Meydan, Al Kaser lacks depth, nuance and quality materials. It aims for the same oriental leather, but instead of a rich, multifaceted experience, it feels flattened and synthetic.

Performance Reality Check

On my skin, Al Kaser lasts around 5 hours. The projection is strong for the first hour, easily filling a room, then rapidly retreats to within one arm's length. I wore it during a casual outing and a dinner party, and while it garnered some initial curiosity, the synthetic drydown became cloying after a few hours.