Since then, plenty of heritage fragrance houses have kept the tradition alive with distinctive and enduring perfumes. Amouage, founded in 1983 by the Sultanate of Oman, creates luxury blends of spicy, woody, and floral notes that reflect Oman’s rich history as a critical exporter of incense and myrrh, while the Turkish brand Nishane’s Saffron Colognisé is a stand-out given its mix of citrusy grapefruit, cedrat notes, and saffron. And yes, while Vanilla 28 shot Kayali to the top of Sephora’s bestseller list, founder Mona Kattan’s Oudgasm collection most clearly points to the brand’s Middle Eastern roots. I particularly love Chocolate Oud for its gourmand twist.
