SOTD – Black Rose by Sawalef (Niche side of Swiss Arabian)
Good morning brotherhood! Today I’m testing out Black Rose by Sawalef. I have to say I’m very impressed with this one. It’s a bright, vibrant take on rose and florals while still maintaining a masculine backbone. It’s somewhat in the direction of Zaharoff Signature Halfeti Black Rose not at all the same and not a comparison but just to give you an idea of the lane it’s in. This is a very clean, fresh, and juicy fragrance that leans slightly feminine in the opening but dries down very differently. Right off the top, you get an obvious saffron and rose forward floral accord that admittedly threw me off for a second. But patience pays off. Once it settles, it sweetens slightly as the juniper berries and grapefruit begin to show up blending beautifully with the florals and smoothing everything out. Around the 30 minute mark, leather and musk start to take control while the rose and violet remain present in the background which is when it really shifts. What starts off feeling soft and floral evolves into something clean, vibrant, and confidently masculine. This one truly takes you on a journey. It’s fun to experience the development from start to finish. To sum it up it’s a juicy, floral, leathery fragrance that remains smooth, vibrant and energetic throughout the wear. I’m definitely considering adding this to the collection. As I mentioned in my last Sawalef review, this is the luxury line from Swiss Arabian, and so far, out of the four I’ve tested, this one and Massive are strong FBW contenders. I still have a few more to test, so I’ll keep you posted. Have a wonderful day, hood.