Riqqa by Ard Al Zaafaran 100ml Eau De Parfum

Description

Riqqa by Ard Al Zaafaran is the house’s entry into the spiced boozy gourmand style that has dominated Arabian perfumery for the last few years, and it is one of the better ones. Bergamot, cinnamon and nutmeg open it, a heart of dates and praline carries the middle, and it lands on tonka, benzoin and myrrh. Warm, sweet and resinous, with a genuine dried-fruit quality that most fragrances in this style fake.

Olfactory PyramidFragrance Notes

Top NotesThe First Impression

BergamotCinnamonNutmeg

Heart NotesThe Character

DatesPralineTuberoseLily Of The Valley

Base NotesThe Lasting Trail

Tonka BeanBenzoinMyrrhVanillaAmber

The opening is bright but brief. Bergamot gives a short citrus lift before cinnamon and nutmeg arrive together, dry and warm, and set the spiced tone that runs through the whole wear.

Fragrance Profile

The heart is the reason to own it. Dates is the standout, bringing a sticky, boozy, dried-fruit sweetness that is distinctly Middle Eastern and rarely done well at this price. Praline adds a caramelised nutty sweetness alongside it, and tuberose and lily of the valley sit underneath keeping the whole thing from becoming purely edible.

The base is deep and resinous. Tonka and vanilla carry the sweetness, benzoin adds a balsamic richness, myrrh brings a dry, faintly bitter resin that stops it turning cloying, and amber ties everything together. Some listings also credit Akigalawood here, a modern woody material, though the published lists disagree on that point.

Inspired by

Riqqa is often compared to Lattafa Khamrah based on community feedback, and the comparison sits in the shared territory of dates, cinnamon and praline over a resinous tonka base rather than in matching note lists. That is the comparison people reach for first, and the fragrance is positioned by wearers as the lighter and airier of the two.

Further back, the whole style descends from Kilian Angels’ Share, and Riqqa is compared to that as well, though as a more wearable and less boozy interpretation.

It is an interpretation rather than a copy, built on its own note structure. Perfumeo is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Lattafa or Kilian, and all brand names remain the property of their respective owners. More in this style sits in our inspired fragrances collection.

When to wear it

Autumn and winter, and this one genuinely needs the cold. Dates, cinnamon, praline and benzoin become heavy in heat, and the fragrance is considerably better on a cold evening than a warm afternoon. Evenings, dinners and occasions rather than the office.

Two sprays. The resins build and this projects more than its soft heart suggests.

Who it is for

Unisex, and worn that way. It suits you if you like the modern spiced gourmand style, if dried fruit and praline appeal, or if you want something that smells expensive in cold weather without costing much.

It suits you less if you dislike sweetness, because there is a lot of it here, and less again if you want something fresh or office-safe.

Why buy at Perfumeo

• 100% authentic, sealed stock sourced from authorised distributors
• Free UK tracked delivery on every order
• Carefully packed to protect your bottle in transit
• Fast dispatch from our UK warehouse

About Ard Al Zaafaran

Founded in Dubai, Ard Al Zaafaran is one of the most recognised names in accessible Middle Eastern perfumery, known for generous compositions at honest prices. Its catalogue spans traditional oud, clean freshies and modern gourmands like this one, and includes the Dirham family with releases such as Dirham Cloud. Browse the full Ard Al Zaafaran collection.

Find your next favourite

The dates and praline heart places it squarely in our sweet and gourmand range, which is the best place to look for more like it. The cinnamon and nutmeg connect it to our warm and spicy collection, and the benzoin and myrrh base to our amber and oriental edit. Everything wearable either way is in unisex perfumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Riqqa smell like?

Bright bergamot with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, opening onto sticky dates, caramelised praline and soft white florals, settling into tonka, benzoin, myrrh, vanilla and amber. A spiced, boozy, resinous gourmand.

Is it a Khamrah dupe?

It is widely compared to Khamrah and sits in the same dates and cinnamon territory, but it is its own composition and wearers generally describe it as lighter and less sweet. A clear family resemblance rather than a match.

Is it very sweet?

Yes. Dates, praline, tonka and vanilla all pull in the same direction, with the myrrh providing the only real counterweight. This is not a subtle fragrance.

Can I wear it in summer?

You can, but it is not flattered by heat. The resins and dried fruit turn heavy, and it is considerably better in cold weather.

How long does it last?

Expect eight hours or more on skin with strong projection in the first few hours, and longer again on clothing. Resinous bases of this type perform well.

Is this bottle genuine?

Yes. Every bottle at Perfumeo is 100% authentic, factory sealed and sourced through authorised distributors.