Al Haramain Perfumes: Brand History and 6 Scents Worth Knowing
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Al Haramain is one of the oldest names in Arabian perfumery. It started with a few perfume shops in Makkah and Madinah in 1970, and its Amber Oud sprays are now some of the most talked-about Arabian perfumes online.
Here is the brand’s story, and six Al Haramain perfumes worth knowing, with the notes for each.
The short answer
Start with Amber Oud Gold Edition for a sweet, fruity crowd-pleaser. Pick Aqua Dubai if you want it fresher, Ruby Edition for warm saffron and amber, Tobacco Edition for winter, and L’Aventure for a citrus-woody everyday scent.
A short history of Al Haramain
- 1970: Kazi Abdul Haque opens a perfume trading business with a few stores in Makkah and Madinah. The brand says he was inspired by the aroma of oud in Makkah.
- The name: Al Haramain means “the two holy mosques”, after Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid Al-Nabawi. The logo shows the Maqam Ibrahim near the Kaaba.
- The next generation: his son, Mohammed Mahtabur Rahman, grew the business after a visit to the perfume distilleries of Ta’if sparked his own passion.
- The UAE: the company later made the UAE the base of its activities, with its factory in Ajman.
- Today: the brand says it has nearly a hundred stores in the Gulf region, showrooms from the UAE and Saudi Arabia to Singapore, the UK and the USA, more than 1,000 fragrances, and a presence in over 100 countries.
Source: Al Haramain’s official website (About Us and History pages).
Six Al Haramain perfumes worth knowing
1. Amber Oud Gold Edition: sweet melon and pineapple
Unisex | Eau de Parfum
Top: Bergamot, Green Notes · Heart: Melon, Pineapple, Amber, Gourmand Accord · Base: Vanilla, Musk, Woody Notes
The house’s best-known spray: bright, juicy and sweet, with a soft vanilla-musk base. Fans often compare it to Xerjoff Erba Pura at a much lower price. Parfumo users rate its longevity 8.7 out of 10.
2. Amber Oud Ruby Edition: saffron, almond and amber
Unisex | Eau de Parfum | 2022
Top: Saffron, Bitter Almond · Heart: Cedar, Jasmine · Base: Amber, Musk, Fir Resin
A warm amber-woody scent that fans often compare to Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait. Parfumo users rate its longevity 8.5 out of 10, so a few sprays go a long way.
3. Amber Oud Aqua Dubai: the fresh one
Unisex | Eau de Parfum
Top: Bergamot, Green Notes, Mandarin · Heart: Melon, Pineapple, Black Currant, Amber · Base: Musk, Vanilla, Galbanum, Petitgrain
A fresher, greener take on the Gold Edition fruit, with mandarin and galbanum. A good pick for warm weather and daytime.
4. Amber Oud Tobacco Edition: tobacco and spice for winter
Unisex | Eau de Parfum | 2019
Top: Tobacco, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Ginger · Heart: Vanilla, Clove, Star Anise, Tonka Bean, Cacao, Incense · Base: Tobacco, Dried Fruits, Woody Notes
Rich, spicy and sweet, with tobacco, cacao and incense. Best on cold evenings.
5. L’Aventure: citrus and woods
Men | Eau de Parfum | 2016
Top: Bergamot, Lemon, Elemi · Heart: Woody Notes, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley · Base: Patchouli
A fresh, citrus-woody chypre that works for the office and everyday wear.
6. L’Aventure Intense: a fuller, warmer L’Aventure
Men | Eau de Parfum | 2019
Top: Lemon, Bergamot, Elemi · Heart: Woody Notes, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley · Base: Musk, Amber, Patchouli
The same citrus-wood idea with musk and amber added for more depth. Fans often compare it to Creed Aventus.
The Al Haramain range: oils, sprays, oud and bakhoor
Al Haramain sells its scents in a few different formats, and it helps to know which is which before you buy.
- Concentrated perfume oils: small bottles, often 12ml, that you dab on the skin. They sit close to the body and a little goes a long way. The UAE store lists around 90 of them, from simple Musk and Amber oils to blends like Kawthar.
- Perfume sprays: applied with an atomiser, in Eau de Parfum and the stronger Extrait de Parfum. All six perfumes above are sprays.
- Oud: appears in both oils and sprays, so at Al Haramain “oud” usually describes an ingredient or a scent style rather than a format.
- Bakhoor and air fresheners: sold under Incense. Bakhoor is burned to scent a room or clothes, rather than worn on the skin.
If you are new to Arabian perfume, a spray is the easiest place to start. Try a perfume oil next if you like a closer, longer-lasting wear. Source: Al Haramain’s official UAE store.
Which one should you choose?
- Sweet and fruity: Amber Oud Gold Edition
- Fresh and daytime: Amber Oud Aqua Dubai or L’Aventure
- Warm and evening: Amber Oud Ruby Edition
- Cold weather: Amber Oud Tobacco Edition
- An Aventus-style alternative: L’Aventure Intense
For more, see all Al Haramain perfumes in our database, our list of perfumes like Creed Aventus and the best long-lasting perfumes.
FAQ
Where is Al Haramain from?
Al Haramain began in 1970 with a few perfume stores in Makkah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia, founded by Kazi Abdul Haque. Today it lists addresses in Ajman, UAE, and New York, USA.
What does the name Al Haramain mean?
It refers to the two holy mosques, Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah, where the first stores opened.
What is the best Al Haramain perfume to start with?
Amber Oud Gold Edition is the most popular starting point. Choose Aqua Dubai for something fresher, or L’Aventure for a citrus-woody everyday scent.
