Megara by Maison Alhambra

I agree largely with DMJ. An interesting marine and oceanic aroma; in my case, it takes me back to the sea walls of Mar de Plata when I was a boy and used to walk up there while the sea splashed me. On the plus side, it’s not linear; it evolves. It begins with a marine scent, becomes salty and seaweed notes appear. When the dry down hits, I sense a note that reminded me of Bacarat 540 clones, that smell some say is like a dentist’s office; luckily it lasts only a few minutes and disappears. The sweetness of the amber emerges and it becomes very rich, projects a lot and lasted me over 12 hours, surely due to the ambroxan. In the dry down, after more than 8 hours, I sense that salty smell you get when you come out of the sea and dry off in the sun. Watch out with the sprays; I sprayed myself only six times and it was overpowering, I think three or four sprays are sufficient. I’ve heard people say it gets compliments, I don’t believe it; it’s not a fragrance to please, it’s an olfactory experience. People may ask what you’re wearing, but not because it’s nice, but because it’s potent and distinct. Be careful with calone if you don’t like that note; neither this nor Atlas are for that crowd. I liked it very much but I’m not sure what occasions to use it for.

Megara dares to flirt with the intensity of Orto Parisi’s Megamare, but in a softer, more accessible version. It doesn’t quite achieve the original’s overwhelming force, though it stays very close, albeit a little further away than its sister, Atlas by Lattafa, which is the most faithful. The opening envelops you with a potent aquatic sensation, loaded with salt and evoking the ocean, yet without being so raw; the saline-marine clash here is more rounded. Galbanum and seaweed contribute that damp greenery, but in Megara they are more tamed. While Megamare is linear and relentless, Megara evolves towards kinder notes, with a woody and amber base that adds warmth. It is less challenging, easier to wear, and versatile for those not seeking an aggressive impact. Imagine standing before a cliff at sunset: the salty wind hits hard, but then a warm breeze arrives, inviting you to come closer. It is a friendly version of the rough sea, ideal for those seeking depth without crossing the threshold into aggression.

An enveloping, invasive, wild, addictive and unconventional fragrance. I haven’t tried Atlas or Megamare, I think it’s not necessary; this is an acquired taste. At first, it’s a slap in the face, it’s rare, certainly not for everyone. I have several perfumes in my collection and this is a beast; it doesn’t fade even after showering three times (not to remove the scent, but because of the heat, even the towel remained scented). It’s rare to find an occasion to wear it, but in summers with lots of heat and at a price of approx 21 dollars here in Chile, it’s economical for the sensory experience it gives. I don’t think it smells like exhaust pipe as some say, but it certainly has a petrol scent that you want to smell at every moment. For me, it’s a jewel, it’s not common and although people probably won’t compliment it, it certainly provides an olfactory experience to my liking, brilliant.

An enveloping, invasive, wild, and addictive fragrance, truly out of the ordinary. I haven’t tried Atlas or Megamare, and I think this is an acquired taste. At first, it feels like a slap in the face; it is rare and certainly not for everyone. I own several perfumes in my collection, and this is a beast; it doesn’t fade even after showering three times (not to remove the scent, but due to the heat, even the towel retained the aroma). It is rare to find an occasion to wear it, but in hot summers, it works brilliantly. For around $21 here in Chile, it is economical for the sensory experience it provides. I don’t think it smells like exhaust fumes, but it does have a touch of petrol that you’ll want to sniff at every moment. For me, it is a jewel, although you probably won’t receive compliments; it certainly offers a unique experience.

Batch 2025, perhaps it’s a reformulation or simply needs time to oxidise; please check carefully if it’s authentic. It failed to meet my expectations or the reviews from others. My first test with seven sprays yielded a soft scent, no headache, minimal sillage, and only citrus notes. It lasted about five minutes before the cedar emerged, persisting for three or four hours, very linear and soapy—clean but nothing more. I didn’t detect the saltiness or seaweed I applied to my skin and clothes. By five hours, it had vanished from my skin and didn’t overwhelm my home or car on a sunny 22-degree day. I’ll wait for it to oxidise before editing, but for now, it doesn’t do justice to the reviews.

It is fascinating how the blend of musk and calone creates that salty-marine scent that mimics Orto Parisi. Very interesting and addictive if you like this type of fragrance. At first, it seemed shocking and almost gave me nausea, but with repeated use, it has become fascinating. It is a scent like Narciso Rodriguez for Him: you either love it or hate it. It is surely for the musk lovers.

I didn’t like it from the start, to the point of finding it nauseating, unable to attribute a particular scent until someone told me it smelled like ‘an old car exhaust pipe’ and I think they were spot on. The scent, although marine, seems to me as strong and unbearable as the smoke from a car burning oil. I tried to use it but there was no point. That said, it has an amazing longevity.

It smells quite odd. The opening is typical of an Arabic fragrance but then becomes cleaner without becoming enchanting. It was a blind buy and, to be honest, I wouldn’t wear it in my daily life; I’ll keep it for car fragrance as I can’t see any other use. In my opinion, it was a disappointment compared to the reviews I read.

It’s a disaster, a perfect olfactory arrogance. A statement, an imposition, and a stamp. A notable fragrance, but without attitude, don’t wear it.