Baz, from The Spirit of Dubai was released in 2017. The perfumer behind this creation is unknown. It has the top notes of Aldehydes, Almond, Bergamot, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Coffee, Coriander, Fruity Notes, Leather, Nutmeg, Pepper, Pine Tree, Plum, Red Berries, Saffron, and Star Anise, middle notes of Birch, Carnation, Cedarwood, Earthy Notes, Floral Notes, Guaiac Wood, Honey, Incense, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Myrrh, Olibanum (Frankincense), Orchid, Resins, Rose, Tuberose, and Ylang-Ylang, and base notes of Agarwood (Oud), Amber, Candies, Castoreum, Civet, Copaiba Balm, Costus, Gurjun Balsam, Labdanum, Leather, Musk, Patchouli, Peru Balsam, Sandalwood, Tobacco, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, and Vetiver.
Baz is pure unadulterated filthy luxury in a bottle, it’s dirty and raunchy yet ever so smooth and elegant in its own way. It’s dominated by a brutally rich and pungent leather accord alongside a sharp, urinous and almost sour civet note. This animalistic leather is elevated by spicy hints of cardamom and black pepper, alongside smoky elements of resins and incense. This smokiness in turn is strengthened by birch, with rich earthy notes of castoreum and oud taking this further. On the other side of this dark brooding affair, the intense juicy nature of plum and sparkly aldehydes provide a shimmer of light amongst all this which balances everything beautifully. The focus on civet and leather does remind me a little of Diaghilev, but other than that the scent heads in a totally different direction. It’s still got that filth and eroticism, but with its own distinct Middle Eastern twist. Incredible scent.