Arabian Oud

They don’t call it the ‘Arab invasion in KL’ for nothing, what with the numerous tourists from the Middle East seen everywhere in town. But, this time, Saudi Arabia-based businessman Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Jasser wants your money with his latest chain of Arabian Oud stores. Stocked with exotic perfumes and colognes using luxurious oud derived from the Agarwood tree in far-east Asia, he is not an unwelcome arrival.

Traditionally embraced by Arabs for centuries, the oud takes almost 300 years to form in the tree trunk, and can cost up to a premium US$20,000 per kg. And now used as a base note in the wide range of scents available for men and women. Browse, take a whiff. I recommend the 25ml ‘Al-Hamra’ oil blend (RM260) consisting of 55 natural floral essences, sandalwood, musk, and of course, oud — all creating a rose-like scent. Interestingly, the ‘Al-Hamra’ is a cult-favourite in France, and also was recently nominated as one of the best perfumes at the ‘FiFi Awards’ — the fragrance industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.

For something light and fresh, the 25ml unisex ‘Al-Rawa’a’ variety (RM160) is the stores most affordable item. In fact, cheaper than many Western brands sold over-the-counter in department stores and speciality boutiques. Made from a fusion of exotic fragrance oils blended with mandarin as top note, and jasmine and sandalwood as middle notes, the overall scent is not too invigorating and easy on the ol’ factory.

Who knows, Arabic fragrances may be the next novelty in the local luxury market. Only thing is, the attitudes of our multi-racial population ( who have become very accustomed to Western brands of perfumes and colognes ) are rather uncertain towards the concept of Arabic perfumes. But then, the ‘Arabian Oud’s new KLCC store is yet another novel addition to an indefatigable KL landscape filled with numerous Turkish, Moroccan and Arabic restaurants. Only now you won’t come off smelling of shisha.

Branches:

G-18, Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi, KL.
Tel: 03 2148 5143.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm daily.

Sunway Pyramid, G1.101, Ground Floor, Bandar Sunway, PJ.
Tel: 03 5635 7512.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm daily.