The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Saqr II arrived in 2016 from perfumer Al Shareef Jawed. Its composition brings together oudhs, sandalwoods, Ta'ifi rose, musk, and ambergris in a dense, layered arrangement. The fragrant woods lend the fragrance a polished depth, while the rose brings a floral warmth that keeps the composition from becoming solely dark and resinous. Pale sand beaches, mountain tips, and open plains form part of its broader inspiration, gathered together through notes of rose, musk, sandalwood, ambergris, and oud. The result is deliberate and textural, moving between soft floral facets, smooth woods, mineral coolness, and deep resinous notes.
What makes Saqr II worth slowing down for is its balance of opposing textures. Ta'ifi rose adds floral warmth, while Australian sandalwood and ambergris give the center a smooth, mineral depth. Natural Musk softens the composition without making it airy, and Agarwood plus Indian Oud anchor it in resinous darkness. The result moves from cream to powder, skin to smoke, rather than staying in one polished register. It's an attar-minded composition built around contrast, with the rose keeping the oud from becoming monolithic.
The evolution
Saqr II opens with the floral warmth of Ta'ifi rose over a smooth sandalwood center. Musk gives the composition a soft, skin-like texture, while ambergris introduces a cool, mineral undertone that recalls sea air caught in dark wood. Agarwood and Indian Oud build the deeper register, leaving a resinous trail that feels less polished than elemental. As the fragrance develops, the rose remains distinct against the woods, but the balance shifts toward darker materials and the gradual softening of musk. The listed notes move between floral warmth, smooth sandalwood, mineral coolness, and resinous oud, creating a composition that feels woody, smoky, and close without settling into a single polished register.
Cultural impact
Saqr II draws its character from the contrast of its listed notes rather than from a single dominant material. Ta'ifi rose introduces floral warmth, Australian sandalwood adds a smooth center, and ambergris lends a cool, mineral quality. Natural Musk softens the blend without making it airy, while Agarwood and Indian Oud contribute resinous depth. Together, these materials create a composition that moves between powder, skin, smoke, wood, and mineral textures. Its appeal lies in the way the floral, musky, woody, and oud elements share the same space without losing their distinct character.
The House
Al Shareef OudhAl Shareef Oudh is a Malaysian boutique house specializing in traditional Eastern perfumery, particularly oudhs, mukhallaats, and attars. Founded by a family with three generations of olfactory expertise, the house is guided by Al Shareef Jawed, who learned the craft from his father and grandfather. The house has built its reputation crafting custom fragrances for statesmen, drawing on wild natural ingredients and age-old methods of perfume creation. Al Shareef Oudh maintains a presence through Vivace boutiques in Dubai and Qatar, while continuing its focus on artisanal, handcrafted scents rooted in regional perfumery traditions.
The Creator
Al Shareef JawedJawed draws heavily from the oud-forward traditions of Eastern perfumery, where rich, resinous materials take center stage rather than playing supporting roles. His signature approach involves layering depth upon depth, building compositions that reveal new facets as they dry…
