Baniyas, from WIDIAN was released in 2022. The perfumer behind this creation is Jordi Fernández. It has the top notes of Artemisia, Bergamot, and Lavender, middle notes of Agarwood (Oud), Cedarwood, and Geranium, and base notes of Evernyl, Patchouli, Sandalwood, and Vetiver.
At it’s core, Baniyas feels intensely regal and middle-eastern with a western, mass appealing spin. All in all this is a geranium and oud focused scent with all the power and intensity you could expect from such a scent, and yet feels surprisingly smooth and modest. The geranium gives the scent this jammy, rosey nuance with some green aromatic touches from lavender and earthy patchouli. This compliments the oud very well, which smells very likely synthetic but comes across very smooth and easy on the nose. The sandalwood and synthetic oakmoss in the base add to the creamy sleek nature of the scent, making for an interestingly easy wear. I greatly enjoy my sample of this, I feel it would thrive in the autumn months where the air has a bite, but the flowers are still thriving. Overall a lovely scent but I don’t feel compelled to buy a bottle, it’s not a true love for me.