Reviews of Kalemat by Arabian Oud
Soft syrupy sweet woodsy base with a bitter green, balsamic herbsy top. And apple skins / hookah pipe? Very eclectic. Top and bottom are chalk and cheese, and don't play nicely - like a freshly baked flapjack with crushed fresh basil leaves on it. It's just a bit odd...
It's not bad. It smells to my nose basically of tobacco and oud. It's actually a fairly light scent. Kalemat Black is much better in my opinion. Projection is moderate but on the lighter side while longevity is also moderate.
3.5/5
3.5/5
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After now trying Kalemat (by Arabian Oud) a couple of times, I can confirm, in large part, the consensus that it's very similar to 24 Gold by Scentstory and Raghba by Lattafa Perfumes.
Mainly a mix of honey, amber, vanilla, and woods, Kalemat is not quite a gourmand but nonetheless quite sweet and resinous, and only traces of bitterness exist to counteract the creamy blend of most of the other elements. I really don't get the blueberry, anise, or rosemary.
Comparing to the other two fragrances, Kalemat is less tip-of-the-tongue sweet than 24 Gold (definitely) and even Raghba (slightly), so it's deeper and reveals more in the dry down as far as an amber/wood blend than its two counterparts.
Performance-wise, Kalemat is superior to both 24 Gold and Raghba, with 24 Gold being better than Raghba. Kalemat's superior is more in the longevity than projection, I'd say.
Price-wise, Kalemat is $120 for 100ml in the Arabian Oud store in Times Square (NYC), while it's slightly less expensive on eBay, at $85. For the same volume, 25 Gold is about $55 and Raghba is under $30. And while very similar to one another, my preference probably falls in line with the pricing: Kalemat, 24 Gold, then Raghba.
This might lead some to believe that Raghba isn't worthwhile, but it all depends on price. It's a slight challenge to justify spending several times Raghba's cost on Kalemat, but such is the task of any fragrance fan justifying any cost. For now, it'll be food for thought for me.
8 out of 10
Mainly a mix of honey, amber, vanilla, and woods, Kalemat is not quite a gourmand but nonetheless quite sweet and resinous, and only traces of bitterness exist to counteract the creamy blend of most of the other elements. I really don't get the blueberry, anise, or rosemary.
Comparing to the other two fragrances, Kalemat is less tip-of-the-tongue sweet than 24 Gold (definitely) and even Raghba (slightly), so it's deeper and reveals more in the dry down as far as an amber/wood blend than its two counterparts.
Performance-wise, Kalemat is superior to both 24 Gold and Raghba, with 24 Gold being better than Raghba. Kalemat's superior is more in the longevity than projection, I'd say.
Price-wise, Kalemat is $120 for 100ml in the Arabian Oud store in Times Square (NYC), while it's slightly less expensive on eBay, at $85. For the same volume, 25 Gold is about $55 and Raghba is under $30. And while very similar to one another, my preference probably falls in line with the pricing: Kalemat, 24 Gold, then Raghba.
This might lead some to believe that Raghba isn't worthwhile, but it all depends on price. It's a slight challenge to justify spending several times Raghba's cost on Kalemat, but such is the task of any fragrance fan justifying any cost. For now, it'll be food for thought for me.
8 out of 10
Greetings Kalemat Fans
It's obvious that the vast majority will
agree (100%= vast majority..ya?) that this fragrance is quite pleasant
as well as classy.
I've nothing really new to add save the fact that I've smelled this before.
I'll be right back (don't touch that dial).
Yup, to my nose, on my skin, IMHO ya.. ya. get on with it:
First.. You'll need a fancy colored perfume bottle.
Then add one part 24 Gold (thanks JH) to one part Perris Monte Carlo
Bois D'Oud.
Let coalesce for 1-3 minutes
Lastly, throw in your SCOTTISH Shortbread cookie(s) & leave it in a cool dark cabinet that's undoubtedly in a smoke free, pet free (nothing against pets) home and apply to pulse points as needed; sorry...craved.
CAUTION:
THIS FRAGRANCE CAN BECOME HABBIT FORMING!
I've worn this 3 days in a row and every day I wore it...
it earned me 1.5 pounds of body weight. Ok fat.
Great scent for this time of year.
Of course I'd rock this on the Sun. It's that good- to my nose, on my skin, IMHO, ya ya ...
Projection -very good
Longevity - well above average
8.5/10
PS for an actual review, pick any below ;)
It's obvious that the vast majority will
agree (100%= vast majority..ya?) that this fragrance is quite pleasant
as well as classy.
I've nothing really new to add save the fact that I've smelled this before.
I'll be right back (don't touch that dial).
Yup, to my nose, on my skin, IMHO ya.. ya. get on with it:
First.. You'll need a fancy colored perfume bottle.
Then add one part 24 Gold (thanks JH) to one part Perris Monte Carlo
Bois D'Oud.
Let coalesce for 1-3 minutes
Lastly, throw in your SCOTTISH Shortbread cookie(s) & leave it in a cool dark cabinet that's undoubtedly in a smoke free, pet free (nothing against pets) home and apply to pulse points as needed; sorry...craved.
CAUTION:
THIS FRAGRANCE CAN BECOME HABBIT FORMING!
I've worn this 3 days in a row and every day I wore it...
it earned me 1.5 pounds of body weight. Ok fat.
Great scent for this time of year.
Of course I'd rock this on the Sun. It's that good- to my nose, on my skin, IMHO, ya ya ...
Projection -very good
Longevity - well above average
8.5/10
PS for an actual review, pick any below ;)
Stardate 20161003:
I got a decant of this cause people told me it is like Jubilation XXV. The only similarity I found was that both are from Middle -East based houses and both are excellent fragrances.
The incense plays well with the sweet base and anise and rosemary adds, what my coworker alludes to as prickliness.
I wish it was less pricklish but you cannot get everything.
Kalemat is rough compared to XXV (which is much better composed and blended) but if you like the mid-east style just get a FB.
The longevity is amazing (24hr +) and sillage above average. I dont know what is out there now, given reformulation chatter, but the initial batches should be good
I got a decant of this cause people told me it is like Jubilation XXV. The only similarity I found was that both are from Middle -East based houses and both are excellent fragrances.
The incense plays well with the sweet base and anise and rosemary adds, what my coworker alludes to as prickliness.
I wish it was less pricklish but you cannot get everything.
Kalemat is rough compared to XXV (which is much better composed and blended) but if you like the mid-east style just get a FB.
The longevity is amazing (24hr +) and sillage above average. I dont know what is out there now, given reformulation chatter, but the initial batches should be good
The opening is like Honeyed Vanilla Ice cream with some berries served in a Agar wood cup.
After 45 minutes as you start finishing the ice cream the oud note from the cup starts intensifying with a hint of antiseptic solution in the background.
Not a fan of this phase lasting to about 5-6 hours.
In the final phase the musk intensifies with vanilla & a hint of oud.
Love the opening & the dry down after 5 hours.
I do not wear it much as I do not feel confident while wearing it. Cannot pin point Why...??
Its a good fragrance to sniff once in a while.
Projection: 8/10
Longevity: 10/10
7/10
After 45 minutes as you start finishing the ice cream the oud note from the cup starts intensifying with a hint of antiseptic solution in the background.
Not a fan of this phase lasting to about 5-6 hours.
In the final phase the musk intensifies with vanilla & a hint of oud.
Love the opening & the dry down after 5 hours.
I do not wear it much as I do not feel confident while wearing it. Cannot pin point Why...??
Its a good fragrance to sniff once in a while.
Projection: 8/10
Longevity: 10/10
7/10
I love how Kalemat wears fluffy, lightly warming, like a soft cashmere thing. This is important for me as too many ambers sit on my skin like choking BDSM gear. Its trail is like an aura around the wearer, announcing your presence not as perfume as such but almost as part of you.
Kalemat is a honeyed amber with a big daub of dark vanilla, so far so traditional and perhaps icky-sticky. But it's had air whipped into it to prevent it from turning into a slathering goo. Also there are contrasting herbal notes at the start which really lift it, some blueberry juiciness (a la Jubilation XXV), and when these begin to fade a spicy, frankincense-wood theme takes over. Hugely original it's not, but it gives the comfort of things being in their right places and then there's that cashmere quality that makes it so easy to slip into.
The main reason why I won't rush out and grab a bottle is a certain staleness to the spicy-woody notes in the mid-section, but other noses may not be bothered by it. It does disappear to be replaced by a clean musks haze in the deep drydown.
Kalemat is a honeyed amber with a big daub of dark vanilla, so far so traditional and perhaps icky-sticky. But it's had air whipped into it to prevent it from turning into a slathering goo. Also there are contrasting herbal notes at the start which really lift it, some blueberry juiciness (a la Jubilation XXV), and when these begin to fade a spicy, frankincense-wood theme takes over. Hugely original it's not, but it gives the comfort of things being in their right places and then there's that cashmere quality that makes it so easy to slip into.
The main reason why I won't rush out and grab a bottle is a certain staleness to the spicy-woody notes in the mid-section, but other noses may not be bothered by it. It does disappear to be replaced by a clean musks haze in the deep drydown.
As others have said, just wonderful stuff, but if one checks Fragarantica there are rumors of a fairly substantial reformulation.
The partial bottle I got from a private seller on E-bay came in the box that looks and opens like a book, rather than the box that opens from two sides with the brown stripe running down the center which may be newer. Mine has a batch number/date code that reads 240313 on the side of the bottle, which I assume refers to a 2013 production date.
My bottle smells great, and matches the scent of the sample I started with, which pushed me to buy my FB.
The partial bottle I got from a private seller on E-bay came in the box that looks and opens like a book, rather than the box that opens from two sides with the brown stripe running down the center which may be newer. Mine has a batch number/date code that reads 240313 on the side of the bottle, which I assume refers to a 2013 production date.
My bottle smells great, and matches the scent of the sample I started with, which pushed me to buy my FB.
Amber honey sweetness dominates this fragrance that it smells like a sweet pastry from a bakery. It does remind me a lot of 24 Gold from scent story.
If you like very sweet fragrances then this one is very nice and enticing.
If you like very sweet fragrances then this one is very nice and enticing.
Kalemat represents (after the fully enjoyed Gentleman Secret) my second olfactory approach with this "taking the world by storm" new "orientalish" brand (with the european main seat in London) named Arabian Oud. Kalemat is a spicy oriental honeyed amber/oudh combo with rubbery-leatherish exotic facets, a stout cashmere woods' presence and hints of leather-tobacco. It is absolutely not a new experience for me since I catch in its delicious (sugary-honeyed) recipe many olfactive stereotypes yet encountered around in my humble experience (for instance in several compositions appointed for Sonoma Scent Studio, Lutens, Neela Vermeire, Lubin, Puredistance, Slumberhouse, Nasomatto or By Kilian). Scents a la Nasomatto Pardon, Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea, Winter Woods and Amber Noir, Lutens Ambre Sultan, Roya Dove Fetish Pour Homme, Majda Bekkali Fusion Sacree For Him, Clive Christian C For Men, Aedes de Venustas Eau de Parfum, the Tom Ford's Youth Dew Amber Nude for Estee Lauder jump vaguely on mind (initially in here in a sweeter disguise) for several of their characteristics. There is anyway a secret which bewitches me under this nowadays mainstream (for the niche universe) sugary orientalism and it is a stunning old school chypre hidden substance jumping out at distance as sophisticated mossy/woody-salty/waxy classic glimmer (something a la Estee Lauder, La Perla, Ungaro, classics Fendi/Versace/Armani, feminine Hermes or V&A), a sort of neo-classic twist recently re-introduced in scents a la Tom Ford Arabian Wood or in several Bertrand Duchaufour/Montale/Francis Kurkdjian's musky-resinous new experiments (a chic classic rosey-musky feel to be intended as a long term "fil rouge" with old masterpieces a la Fendi classic or Gianni Versace, an old chypre accord of sandalwood, ambergris, oakmoss, fur and honey). This immensely sophisticated western twist (hidden under a more simplistic spicy-honeyed-resinous orientalism) turns me out as huge worshipper of this mysterious masterperfumer ingeniously performing behind Arabian Oud. A classic massive vibe under a more banally "fluorescent" spicy/honeyed/resinous accord (basically an easily runned amber-tobacco-sweet spices-woody resins combination) providing this new fragrance with vintage preciousness and classic complexity. At the end of the trip the spicy honeyed hyper sweet vibe recedes and an amazing (almost misty-incensey, hyper lush and still mossy/fur-like) spell of classic wisdom starts taking the stage with all its charge of charm and mystery. Kalemat is a tremendous example of neo-classicism in disguise and an oriental master work with a long and satisfactory evolution full of charm, parisian sophistication and high class.
Frakincense, amber, cedar and of course vanilla. This is a beautiful well rounded scent. I've smelled many like this,but not as good. For the price, it can't be beat. One of my best blind buys (coming from someone who doesn't blind buy often). 8/10
This is the smell of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is a oud-y scent with a nice balance of sweetness and smokiness.
Truly unisex and long lasting too. You want to smell like Arabs? this is it. Surround yourself in a full bloom of Arabia.
Truly unisex and long lasting too. You want to smell like Arabs? this is it. Surround yourself in a full bloom of Arabia.
Absolutely wonderful. Warm wood and amber notes intermingle perfectly with a slightly sweet vanilla and tobacco accord.
Blueberry, Anise.
Rosemary, Cashmere Wood.
Musk, Amber, Sweet Leaf, Vanilla.
Kalemat by Arabian Oud has been a fairly recent addition to my wardrobe and rotation for work. Now, I know it smells good or else why on earth would I wear it? I also have confirmation due to co-workers not only commenting on how damn good I smell, but inquiring what it is, where they can get it.........and do I have any I can spare until they buy a bottle. Suffice it to say I have already given away 10ml. atomizers of Kalemat to a few, happy peers.
By now, we all are aware that Arabian spray perfumes have not been as well done as their CPO's, nor on par with western spray perfumes. I see some changes in this lately; mainly in the ones I have been sampling and/or purchasing.
Kalemat by Arabian is a terrific bang-for-your-buck Woody Oriental on my skin. It's linear, pleasant, full bodied and possesses very nice sillage and superior longevity. If I like the totality of a particular scent, I could care less if it has 3 recognizable transitions or just one. It's all about whether you enjoy what is drifting off your skin.
From start to finish, Kalemat is a dense array of Woods, subtle resins, the suggestion of sweet and a shadowy tobacco note. The accord is of one mind and blurred, but in spite of that, it's a successful endeavor and a worthy addition for my cold weather rotation. Sillage is above average, with longevity approximately 6 hours plus and more as a skin scent. Thumbs up from SS for Arabain Oud's Kalemat. As always, a sample wear is recommended.
Rosemary, Cashmere Wood.
Musk, Amber, Sweet Leaf, Vanilla.
Kalemat by Arabian Oud has been a fairly recent addition to my wardrobe and rotation for work. Now, I know it smells good or else why on earth would I wear it? I also have confirmation due to co-workers not only commenting on how damn good I smell, but inquiring what it is, where they can get it.........and do I have any I can spare until they buy a bottle. Suffice it to say I have already given away 10ml. atomizers of Kalemat to a few, happy peers.
By now, we all are aware that Arabian spray perfumes have not been as well done as their CPO's, nor on par with western spray perfumes. I see some changes in this lately; mainly in the ones I have been sampling and/or purchasing.
Kalemat by Arabian is a terrific bang-for-your-buck Woody Oriental on my skin. It's linear, pleasant, full bodied and possesses very nice sillage and superior longevity. If I like the totality of a particular scent, I could care less if it has 3 recognizable transitions or just one. It's all about whether you enjoy what is drifting off your skin.
From start to finish, Kalemat is a dense array of Woods, subtle resins, the suggestion of sweet and a shadowy tobacco note. The accord is of one mind and blurred, but in spite of that, it's a successful endeavor and a worthy addition for my cold weather rotation. Sillage is above average, with longevity approximately 6 hours plus and more as a skin scent. Thumbs up from SS for Arabain Oud's Kalemat. As always, a sample wear is recommended.
A solid and attractive fragrance. It has sweetish honeyed tobacco with amber-vanilla notes, but is not cloying. The mild sweetness is combined with wood and a mild oud. It all comes together very well in a way which can be reminiscent of Tobacco-Vanilla, but it is more complex, and cheaper.
This is a double thumbs perfume in my book! It is beautifully packed, a bit like a book cover, and the scent is mesmerizing. A first very quick fruity moment morphs seamlessly into a oudy, woody and oh so goody thing!
It stays forever on my skin and if it was labelled with some fancy, schmancy European niche name it would
cost a fortune.
Well done!
Matz Ridderstrom
Stockholm
It stays forever on my skin and if it was labelled with some fancy, schmancy European niche name it would
cost a fortune.
Well done!
Matz Ridderstrom
Stockholm