Urbanist Prive Silver by Al Haramain Perfumes

Oriental perfumery offers something for every budget, and sometimes I find here what I’ve struggled to locate in European houses. Thanks to friends like Darkbeat, doors open to distant worlds. Urbanist Prive Silver is a modern, creamy, and balanced composition with longevity and sillage that satisfy me. It’s a semi-obscure product of great quality, masculine, spiced, and peppery, with nothing to envy from perfumes costing triple the price. Highly versatile, suitable for going out or special occasions, it deserves a place in any collection. I loved it immensely.

Urbanist Prive Silver by Al Haramain smells like a real man… but the real deal. The opening isn’t sharp or brash; it’s a proper manly perfume blast: potent tobacco, even reminiscent of neighbourhood shoe shops from years ago, of everything that has lived and been treated chemically. The honey comes through a bit, but the oud in my nose knocks me out with a thud. It always happens with this type of wood or its simulant: it’s like stepping into a ring ready to fight and ending up knocked out. It’s a masculine, woody, vintage fragrance modernised with a touch of sweetness. I don’t know what’s happening to me, but it smells to me like an American trucker on the highways with logs, stopping to smoke a pipe; something very strong and hearty. My partner smells much more honey in it; it becomes affable, sweet, and woody with that shoe-shop oud; it gives him the look of a well-dressed, characterful man. But for me, it feels like a kick to the shins. What a pity, I was so excited, while my partner is absolutely delighted. Thanks Darkbeat, I loved this experience, plus it has championship-level longevity.

What a beautiful fragrance! It begins with light pipe tobacco, definitely not Ducados or Celtas Cortos. Very soft and honeyed, I’m surprised not to detect any fine liquor. It’s a shame not to perceive much of the hazelnut note, but rather hints of fine caramelised toast, all wrapped in an avianilla base of sandalwood and a very light oud that gives it a subtly woody and smoky aspect. It’s a warm and woody aroma, slightly peppery and a tad talcum-powdered, without being too creamy or powdery. It’s very versatile for all seasons, but for me, better at night than during the day. In extreme temperatures of cold or heat, it would go unnoticed, and that would be a sin. Its sillage is moderate in an elegant fragrance that is nothing overwhelming; it’s about leaving a subtle mark. Very seductive. It lasted about six hours on my skin. It’s unisex and very Western; it wouldn’t clash with any overrated niche. A very lovely fragrance for a gentleman of the few who remain. I wouldn’t wear it because seven years ago I quit smoking and don’t want to fall back into temptation; this perfume would make it far too easy. But it was a joy to enjoy it for a few days; each time I like it more. Many thanks to my colleague Darkbeat.

A sweet, fresh woody scent, not overdone, with a very successful opening of tobacco and hazelnuts; it’s as if we were opening a packet of light tobacco with hazelnuts inside, and the scent blends with the aroma impregnated in the tobacco, a strange combination with a smoky or caramelised touch, very original and delicious. Then the scent becomes creamier and sandalwood is noticeable, but caramelised and toasted. The final dry-down is exquisite: the oud is perceived as very soft and nothing harsh, bathed in vanilla and honey; although it might seem cloying, it isn’t, they are so well executed that neither stands out over the other nor invades, simply contributing the right amount of sweetness and creaminess without overshadowing a precious, nuanced oud wood. I loved it; longevity is good, around 7 hours, and the sillage is moderate-to-low, projecting well at first, then you need to get closer. A very good perfume for daytime use in warm or temperate climates.