Scheherazade By Bortnikoff Extrait De Parfum

For the 3rd collaboration, Bortnikoff and Rajesh Balkrishnan weave an exotic olfactory Arabian Nights fantasy. Combining the finest natural gourmand absolutes sourced from around the globe, they create a rich feast of fruit, flower and spice to delight your senses.

While many people rightfully love Bortnikoff for their most opulent oud-centric elixirs, we honestly have a soft spot for the fragrances that breathe new life into a familiar genre by way of their best-in-world ingredients and exquisite small-batch craftsmanship. In Scheherazade, Bortnikoff and Mr. Balkrishnan gift us with a gourmand that makes the mouth water and the pulse race at the same time, a surprisingly limber and seductive concoction that balances indulgent fruits and (unlisted but very present) smooth, creamy vanilla with vibrant bergamot, smooth florals, and seductively spicy pepper, all brought together with an energetic, spice-forward wild oud that wears with a notably modern flair. If you love the gourmand-but-sexy vibes of Parfums de Marly Layton or Nishane Ani, you won’t want to miss this stunning release.

Black currant, bergamot, apricot, pepper, cedar, sandalwood, wild oud oil

If you didn’t know, Scheherazade is the heroine from 1001 Nights, where the fragrance takes its inspiration from. Many fragrances have been inspired by these tales and the admirable beauty and kindness that she portrayed to her people. I am personally a fan of Middle Eastern perfumery due to the use of traditional materials and the luxuriousness that they bring, especially when you bring in a house like Bortnikoff that has meticulous standards.

The sun’s radiance illuminates the land. The scorching beams beat down upon my face while my feet sink into the silky sand with each step. I can see the rows of fruit trees and hear the bustle of the market. A welcoming shady abode awaits me. The gentle trickle of a stream reaches my ears as I get closer, and the breeze wafts a gentle plume of incense that puts my mind at ease.