Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum ($59.99 for 3.4 fl. oz.) is described as having the following notes: top — bilberry and anise; middle — rosemary and Kashmir wood; base — musk, sweet amber, honey leaves. I bought this scent-un-smelled on a recommendation from Kafkaesque, though the recommendation was stronger for my husband than for me. It is one of the most elegantly packaged perfumes I’ve personally come across, as it is packaged in a large, rectangular box made to resemble a book. Once opened, with a pull of the brow nribbon, it opens again to reveal the perfume itself.

Initially, right as it was first sprayed and started to dry on the skin, it was a burst of sweet berry jam, which immediately transitioned into a blend of lightly sweetened honey and smoke and some rose. Over the next hour and a half, everything seemed very well-blended; there were few notes that really stood out–a blend of barely-sweetened florals with bits of woodiness, spice, and a sly hint of greenness. It made me think of honeycombs set in a lush garden during late fall, as I still detected the underpinning of smoke, more tobacco-like than incense-like. There was a general sweetness and rosiness that was most notable for the first few hours of Kalemat with a little spiciness and woodiness. After four hours or so, it became a softened blend of amber, woods and musk with honey drizzled on top with a flourish. It’s such a cozy, warm, perfect-for-winter scent. Less heady than some of my other go-tos but not a subtle scent either–it’s a very comforting and warming.

On me, it had moderate sillage for two hours, and then stayed close to the skin for the next ten hours. My husband quite enjoyed it, and he said it was “near the top” of his perfume list, and for him, he also found that the projection wasn’t too large and didn’t project for long, as it wore more closely for him as well.

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum

Arabian Oud Kalemat Eau de Parfum