The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Abu Dhabi is a 2026 release from RMK Perfumes, created for women and men. Its composition is marked by oud in the opening, followed by a floral heart of iris, jasmine, rose, lilac, magnolia, sandalwood, and cypriol. The base settles into musk, with vanilla, ambergris, and vanilla flower appearing among the listed notes. Together, these elements create an oriental fragrance built around a contrast of deep woody character, layered florals, smooth musk, and sweet notes. The different facets leave space for discovery, with each part of the composition adding its own distinct character to the scent.
The composition is shaped by the meeting of oud, jasmine, rose, magnolia, sandalwood, cypriol, musk, and sweet notes of vanilla and ambergris. Oud gives the opening depth, while the floral notes introduce brightness and texture through iris, jasmine, rose, lilac, and magnolia. Sandalwood and cypriol add a smooth woody center, and musk carries the blend into its base. Vanilla and ambergris contribute sweetness without defining the entire profile. Together, these notes create a rich oriental composition that feels layered and complete, offering several distinct points of entry for exploration.
The evolution
The opening leads with oud, establishing a deep woody character before the floral heart unfolds through iris, jasmine, rose, lilac, and magnolia. Sandalwood and cypriol give the center additional texture, connecting the flowers with the warmer woody notes in the composition. As the scent develops, musk becomes more present in the base, accompanied by vanilla, ambergris, and vanilla flower. The listed notes move from dark woods to flowers and finally to a sweet, musky base. A community review reports longevity of 6 to 7 hours on skin and several days on clothing, making Abu Dhabi a fragrance to experience across the day and revisit as its different facets emerge.
Cultural impact
Abu Dhabi is a 2026 fragrance from RMK Perfumes, created for women and men. Its documented composition begins with oud and moves through iris, jasmine, rose, lilac, magnolia, sandalwood, and cypriol before reaching a base of musk, vanilla, ambergris, and vanilla flower. This combination gives the oriental profile a clear structure, balancing dark woody depth with flowers, smooth wood, and sweetness. Rather than framing the release through a broader industry tradition, its cultural presence begins with the name and the composition RMK has chosen to present, offering wearers a distinct point of discovery.
The House
RMK PerfumesRMK Perfumes is a fragrance house born in Dubai in 2026, created around the close relationship between Emirati perfumery traditions and contemporary scent design. The house is associated with Sheikh Rashid Bin Mana Al Maktoum, who is credited with founding RMK Perfumery, and with a wider story that connects British fragrance heritage to Arabian olfactory culture. Its early collection includes Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Signature, each presented as a place-inspired or house-defining composition. Early reviews describe a clean, balanced character that feels fresh without becoming sharp, a useful indication of the direction the brand is taking. For discovery platforms, RMK represents a new Dubai-based name with a clearly articulated identity and a catalogue still early enough to evolve.
The Creator
Shadi SamraShadi favors a modular approach, building fragrances layer by layer. He starts with a robust base—often oud, sandalwood, or amber—then adds a heart of florals or spices that echo the brief’s narrative.
