A city in fragrance: First and Second Generation
The house divides its creations into two collections. The First Generation, which the brand calls niche, is the original core, and each of its fragrances, from the name to the bottle, interprets a facet of Dubai, from the beaches to the towers. The Second Generation, described as ultra-niche, takes up those themes and develops them into new fragrances: Aamal is the successor to Dubai Abraj, Diwan to Dubai Majalis, Baz to Dubai Rimal, Haibah to Dubai Fakhama and Narjesi to Dubai Oud.
The fragrances and their stories
First Generation
Dubai Majalis is dedicated to Arabian hospitality, and the house compares it to the richness of Persian carpets. Dubai Rimal comes from the desert dunes, while Dubai Fakhama expresses luxury through a selection of roses. With Dubai Oud, the house speaks of human achievement and the strength of ambition. The skyline, with its steel and concrete, is the origin of Dubai Abraj, and the sea, with its depths and its breeze, of Dubai Bahar. Finally, Dubai Turath is inspired by ancient Arab culture: the poetry of the Mu'allaqat, the Thousand and One Nights and the flavors of Arabic cuisine.
Second Generation
Aamal represents the city of the future, a place full of hope. Baz is dedicated to the falcon, the imperial bird that rules the skies. For the house, Haibah symbolizes a luxury comparable to a rare diamond. Diwan welcomes you with bakhoor rising from the mabkhara, the incense burner, together with the aroma of coffee. Narjesi, named after the natural ingredient, is dedicated to the rose, which the house describes as a love that spans centuries and continents.
Other creations and second interpretations
Abjar is dedicated to the legendary horse of the warrior poet Antar, and Durra to the white pearl of the deep seas. Ajyal pays tribute to past, present and future generations and is inspired by the ghaf, the tree that symbolizes resilience in the arid desert. Its bottle is decorated with a yellow and blue tapestry. Launched in 2022, Roeya is inspired by the futuristic vision of Dubai. Sama is dedicated to the skies and to the rise of the city. Some names then return in a second version. Abjar Bois sets the horse Abjar in a moonlit forest, and Baz Cuir gives the falcon a leathery essence. Narjesi Fleur is inspired by a black rose with midnight-colored petals, and Durra Ambrée by a journey across sparkling waters under a starry sky.
How to choose: the scent families
Citrus, sea and sunny notes
Among the fragrances with citrus and marine notes is Dubai Bahar, an aquatic woody scent with lime, lemon and marine notes over a base of vanilla and amber. Aamal Metallique pairs bergamot and lemon with coconut, peach and sunny, salty notes. Dubai Meydan also opens with grapefruit and bergamot; Dubai Abraj has bergamot and lavender together with red rose, geranium and sandalwood.
Rose
Dubai Fakhama combines Turkish rose and Bulgarian rose with oud, vanilla and incense. In the same family, Dubai Turath pairs Damask rose and jasmine with bergamot, vanilla and leather. Sama opens with apricot and Turkish rose, has a heart of osmanthus and a base of oud and amber. Then there is Haibah Oriental, with rose, jasmine and violet alongside incense and ambergris.
Spices, coffee and incense
Dubai Rimal combines saffron and cinnamon with incense, leather and agarwood. Diwan is built on the meeting of incense and coffee.
Woods, leather and tobacco
Indian agarwood is at the heart of Dubai Oud, with incense, rose, leather and tobacco. The base of Dubai Meydan holds tobacco, agarwood and leather. Abjar has amber, cedar and labdanum together with leather and Indian agarwood oil; Haibah is built on patchouli, amber, smoked wood and agarwood.
The body lotions
Some First Generation fragrances also come as a body lotion, with the same notes as the eau de parfum. They are Dubai Abraj, Dubai Fakhama, Dubai Majalis, Dubai Oud and Dubai Rimal, and the house describes the Dubai Fakhama lotion as sensual and sweet.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes The Spirit of Dubai perfumes?
The Spirit of Dubai is a line by Nabeel Perfumes, a perfume house from the United Arab Emirates. The fragrances were created by Asghar Adam Ali, known as Al Attar, who is the group's chairman and master perfumer. The house presents the project as a tribute to the city of Dubai.
What is the difference between First Generation and Second Generation?
The First Generation is the original collection, which the house calls niche, and each perfume is inspired by an aspect of Dubai. The Second Generation, described as ultra-niche, revisits those themes in new fragrances: Aamal comes from Dubai Abraj, Diwan from Dubai Majalis, Baz from Dubai Rimal, Haibah from Dubai Fakhama and Narjesi from Dubai Oud.
What does Dubai Majalis smell like?
Dubai Majalis is a rich, full-bodied perfume inspired by Arabian hospitality. It is built on qahwa, Arabic coffee, and dates, together with luban incense, Taif rose and saffron. It also comes as a body lotion, and its Second Generation counterpart is called Diwan.
Which The Spirit of Dubai perfumes have marine or citrus notes?
Marine and citrus notes appear in Dubai Bahar, Durra and Aamal Metallique. Bahar is an aquatic woody scent with lime, lemon and marine notes over vanilla and amber; Durra, dedicated to the pearl, is built on deep marine notes. Aamal Metallique pairs bergamot and lemon with coconut, peach and sunny, salty notes.
Which The Spirit of Dubai perfumes contain oud?
Oud, or agarwood, is at the heart of Dubai Oud, with incense, leather and tobacco. It also appears in Dubai Fakhama alongside roses and in Dubai Rimal with saffron and labdanum. Baz pairs it with smoky frankincense and vetiver, Haibah with smoked wood, and in Diwan Gourmand and Sama it comes with cocoa, apricot and amber.
What are Baz Cuir, Narjesi Fleur and Durra Ambrée?
They are eau de parfum fragrances that take up the names of Baz, Narjesi and Durra. Baz Cuir gives the falcon a leathery essence, and Narjesi Fleur is inspired by a black rose, the flower of unrequited love. Durra Ambrée combines amber, vanilla and sandalwood. In the same way, Abjar Bois is inspired by the horse Abjar.
Is there a gourmand The Spirit of Dubai perfume?
Yes, Diwan Gourmand, a fragrance that opens with cocoa and chocolate smoke, moves on to dates and closes on tonka bean and vanilla. From the same house, Durra Ambrée also has vanilla notes, together with amber and sandalwood.
Which The Spirit of Dubai fragrances come as a body lotion?
The body lotion is available for five First Generation fragrances. There is Dubai Abraj, with bergamot, lavender, red rose and geranium, and Dubai Fakhama, with roses, oud and vanilla. Dubai Majalis pairs Arabic coffee with Taif rose, Dubai Oud is built on incense, leather and tobacco, and Dubai Rimal on saffron, cinnamon and labdanum.
