Al Ambra

The story

Al Ambra Perfumes is the story of a man who knew perfume from behind the sales counter. Abdul Rahiman Mukarithottam comes from Kerala, in India, and worked for a long time in perfume sales in Dubai before founding his own house in 2016. He is its creative director and personally oversees the development of every fragrance. From the early years he has been joined by co-founder Ghanim Yaqoob Jumma Khurram, who leads the stores and the brand's international growth. The name combines “Al”, which recalls the Arabian perfume tradition, with amber, one of its most beloved materials.

Everything is born and stays in Dubai. In Dubai Investment Park the house has its headquarters and develops its compositions in-house, while a dedicated company handles production. The fragrances are made in the United Arab Emirates.

The idea is a more refined Middle Eastern perfumery: “richness without heaviness and presence without excess”, in the house's own words. Al Ambra states it perfume by perfume, distinguishing three styles. There are the French-inspired fragrances, clean and luminous, such as Black Forest, Dubai Musk and Tysir. There are the Arabic ones, built on oud, amber, resins and woods, such as Ambra Oud, Ambra Nuit, The True Bold and Oud Shamayel. And there are the hybrids, which combine European clarity with Arabian depth, such as The Pearl, Loren and Precious Jewel. All of them are designed to last long even in the heat and humidity of Dubai, and to be worn every day, layering included.

Alongside its perfumes the house makes concentrated oils, bakhoor and home fragrances: the whole Arabian scent ritual. It has three boutiques of its own in the Emirates, two in Dubai, at Mall of the Emirates and Al Barsha Mall, and one in Sharjah. Abroad it is available only through a few selected partners. Its best-selling fragrance is Dubai Musk.

The fragrances

Al Ambra divides its perfumes by concentration: the Extrait de Parfum in the 50 ml bottle and the Eau de Parfum in the 100 ml one.

• Extrait de Parfum, 50 ml: Black Forest, Dubai Musk, Black Forest Elixir, Loren, Ravenna, Green Forest, Vanilla Night & Day, Oud Shamayel, Jood, The Pearl, Precious Jewel, Secret Scent.
• Eau de Parfum, 100 ml: Ambra Oud, Musk Ambra, Ambra Nuit, Tysir, The True Bold.

OUD Profumeria Artistica is an authorised Al Ambra retailer, online and at its shop in Nettuno (Rome).

Frequently asked questions

Is Al Ambra an Arabian perfume brand?
Yes. Al Ambra Perfumes was born in Dubai in 2016 and develops and produces its fragrances in the United Arab Emirates. Some follow the Arabic tradition, with oud, amber and resins, such as Ambra Oud and Oud Shamayel; others have a more European taste, fresh and clean, such as Black Forest and Dubai Musk.

Are Al Ambra and Maison Alhambra the same brand?
No, they are two different brands with similar names. Al Ambra Perfumes is the Dubai maison founded in 2016 by Abdul Rahiman Mukarithottam: Black Forest, Black Forest Elixir, Dubai Musk and Loren are its creations.

Are Al Ambra perfumes for men or for women?
Most are unisex. The maison designs Tysir, Ambra Nuit and The True Bold mainly for him, and Secret Scent and Vanilla Night & Day mainly for her, but these are indications of style: each one wears well on any skin.

Which are the best Al Ambra perfumes?
The three best loved in our boutique are Black Forest, an essential citrus woody scent of grapefruit and ambroxan; Dubai Musk, the clean musk the maison names as its best seller; and Black Forest Elixir, floral and musky, with white peach and orange blossom. Those who love sweet perfumes look to Loren, those seeking citrus and sunny fruit to Ravenna.

What is the difference between Black Forest and Black Forest Elixir?
Black Forest is essential: grapefruit, ambroxan and woody notes, for a clean everyday freshness. Black Forest Elixir is richer and softer: white peach, aldehydes and mandarin in the opening, a heart of lily of the valley and orange blossom, a base of musk and vanilla. What they share is a luminous elegance, not the notes.

Which Al Ambra perfume is similar to Black Forest?
The closest is Green Forest, which starts from the same grapefruit and warms it with ginger, cardamom and vetiver. Those who love the citrus light of Black Forest can also try Ravenna, fruitier, with pineapple and mango; those looking for the same cleanness in a musky version, Dubai Musk.

Where to buy Al Ambra perfumes in Italy?
OUD Profumeria Artistica is an authorised Al Ambra retailer: you will find the fragrances of the maison online and at our shop in Nettuno (Rome), where you can try them in person. Shipping is free in Italy over €60, and over €100 we add 10 complimentary samples.