Sohrab
Built for fans of challenging resinous niche perfumes, Sohrab places heavy frankincense and smoldering ash over dark balsamic woods. Crisp violet leaf and sharp saffron cut through the dense styrax opening during late-night winter wear. It appeals to wearers who prefer raw, smoky incense over polished commercial gourmands or clean office orientals.
Similar Suggestions
BETAFragrances with the nearest note and performance profile.
For more in-depth suggestions.
Performance Metrics
45 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Performance is formidable, delivering 9 to 12 hours of total wear on skin and over 24 hours on clothes. Sillage projects beyond arm's length for the first three hours before tapering into a dense, smoky aura. It performs best in sub-zero winter temperatures where crisp air tames the strong animalic resins.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
Sohrab presents a dense, dry, and resinous texture built around raw frankincense, pungent styrax, and gray ash. Dark elemi and black pepper give the opening a prickly heat, while green cypress, violet leaf, and bitter jatamansi add a sharp herbal edge as the smoky resins settle on skin.
Main Accords
8 MAPPEDThe amber accord here is not sugary or vanilla-laced; it feels balsamic, tarry, and scorched. Smoke and ash accords dominate the early stage of wear, blanketing the skin in a cloud of burnt woods. As hours pass, aromatic Cypress and green violet leaf soften the scorched edges, letting warm spicy myrrh simmer gently underneath.
Community Data
104 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Long-lasting performance delivering up to 12 hours of active wear
Strong sillage radius that projects well in cold autumn and winter air
Complex resinous heart featuring frankincense, myrrh, and styrax
Authentic campfire ash note that adds raw depth to the dry-down
Refreshing herbal contrast of violet leaf and cypress in the middle phase
Artistic composition crafted by acclaimed nose Prin Lomros
Uncompromising dark amber profile free from sugary commercial vanilla
Excellent fabric endurance on heavy winter coats and wool scarves
Fits formal or casual evening wear during cold weather seasons
Intricate herbal foundation enriched with Himalayan jatamansi and costus
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Aggressive styrax and animalic opening for the first fifteen minutes
Unsuitable for warm weather, high humidity, or summer daytime wear
Heavy projection can easily overwhelm enclosed office spaces
Lack of sweet notes may alienate fans of cozy gourmand ambers
Sampling opportunities are limited due to sparse boutique distribution
Dry soot and ash accord can turn bitter on warmer skin types
Requires strict spray control to avoid over-application indoors
Polarizing scent profile that divides opinion among casual wearers
Very stubborn resinous base that resists scrubbing off in showers
Steep learning curve for newcomers to dark niche oriental perfumes
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Sohrab by The Fragrance Engineers Review: Fire and Resinous Ash”
Sohrab opens with a sharp, intense wallop of animalic styrax, raw elemi resin, and crushed black pepper. The initial ten minutes can feel startling on warm skin, carrying a pungent, unvarnished bite that offers zero apology. There is no synthetic citrus top note or gentle lavender buffer to cushion the impact. Instead, perfumer Prin Lomros throws you straight into heated spices, saffron, and raw balsamic tree sap that immediately demands your full attention.
As the aggressive opening settles down, the true heart of the fragrance takes command. Dense frankincense and dark myrrh oil fuse with a distinct dry ash note that smells like the cold remnants of an outdoor wood fire. Just when the smoke threatens to turn entirely acrid, a crisp wave of violet leaf, green cypress, and earthy jatamansi cuts through the heavy haze. This green herbal element adds welcome lift, preventing the composition from collapsing into a flat soot cloud.
On skin, the dominant accords shift from scorched fury to a complex balsamic hum over the third hour of wear. The amber base here avoids the typical designer trap of heavy vanilla and sugary ethyl maltol. It remains dry, resinous, and woody, spiked with subtle medicinal costus, pink pepper, and faint pomegranate tannins. The interplay between warm spicy pepper and cool aromatic cypress keeps the heart dynamic on skin rather than static or muddy.
Performance is uncompromising across the board. Two light sprays deliver nine to twelve hours of stubborn wear on skin, while easily lasting past the forty-eight-hour mark on a coat collar or scarf. Projection fills an arm's length radius for three full hours before pulling back into a dense, smoky aura around the wearer. Because of this heavy muscle, Sohrab demands cold weather. It thrives in freezing winter air and crisp late-autumn nights, but becomes stifling in warm or humid conditions.
This composition is tailored specifically for experienced niche enthusiasts who appreciate challenging artistic perfumery. If your collection focuses on clean office scents or sweet gourmands, Sohrab will likely shock your nose on first spray. However, lovers of smoke-heavy fragrances, dark incense, and raw resins will appreciate how fearlessly Lomros executes his brief. It feels right at home with wool overcoats, dark leather jackets, and late-night outdoor gatherings.
Sohrab remains a bold, atmospheric creation that favors artistic commitment over mass-market flattery. The harsh styrax opening will test your patience for the first quarter-hour, but the long dry-down of smoky frankincense, ash, and green cypress makes the initial challenge worthwhile. Grab a sample before committing to a full bottle, but prepare for an impressive cold-weather wear if you enjoy dark, resinous ambers.
FAQs
What does Sohrab by The Fragrance Engineers smell like?+
Sohrab smells like burnt incense resins resting on bitter green cypress and dry fireplace ash. The fragrance opens with sharp styrax, elemi, and black pepper before developing a dark frankincense heart. Green violet leaf and woody jatamansi soften the scorched dry-down over time.
How does the opening of Sohrab differ from its dry-down?+
The opening hits hard with aggressive animalic styrax, raw elemi, and pungent black pepper. After fifteen minutes, the harshness subsides into smoky frankincense and dry ash. By hour three, green cypress and violet leaf emerge, turning the dark balsamic resin base smoother and woodier.
How long does Sohrab last on skin and clothes?+
Expect 9 to 12 hours of longevity on skin after two sprays. On heavy fabrics like wool coats or scarves, the smoky frankincense, myrrh, and cypress base notes easily linger for two to three days without fading completely.
What is the sillage and projection profile of Sohrab?+
Projection is strong during the first three hours, filling an arm's length radius in cold outdoor air. After four hours, the scent settles closer to the body, leaving a dense trailing trail of smoky resins and ash whenever you move.
Which season and climate suit Sohrab best?+
Sohrab shines brightest in cold late autumn and winter weather. Sub-zero temperatures and crisp air balance the heavy balsamic resins and smoky ash. Warm summer heat or high humidity will make the dark styrax opening feel stifling and oppressive.
What occasions are ideal for wearing Sohrab?+
Wear Sohrab for evening events, outdoor winter gatherings, solitary night walks, or cold-weather dinners. Its dark, smoky character pairs well with leather jackets and wool overcoats. Avoid wearing it in cramped, temperature-controlled office spaces where strong sillage might bother coworkers.
Is Sohrab masculine, feminine, or unisex?+
While marketed as unisex, Sohrab leans distinctly masculine due to its heavy doses of styrax, smoky ash, and green cypress. Women who enjoy bold, nonsweet incense fragrances can easily wear it, but those expecting traditional floral or vanilla notes will find it quite rugged.
Who is the target audience for Sohrab?+
Sohrab targets experienced niche perfume enthusiasts who appreciate raw, unrefined resins and smoky woody profiles. It appeals directly to collectors who enjoy dark compositions from perfumer Prin Lomros and want something far more daring than commercial designer ambers.
Can Sohrab be layered with other fragrances?+
Layering Sohrab is tricky due to its strong styrax and ash notes. However, adding a simple vanilla or sweet labdanum single-note oil underneath can soften its scorched edges if you prefer a cozy, sweeter amber dry-down for cold winter evenings.
How does Sohrab compare to Amouage Interlude Man?+
Both fragrances share a heavy smoky incense backbone. However, Amouage Interlude Man features a sweeter oregano and amber opening with polished herbal refinement, whereas Sohrab delivers a raw, animalic styrax opening paired with realistic dry ash and green cypress.
Rankings
Full rankingsWear Diary
0 COMMUNITY WEAR LOGSKeep sprays, longevity, weather, and compliments in one practical log.
Sign in to keep private wear notes.
Compliment Signal
FROM WEAR LOGSReviews
5 TOTALNo owner review yet. You can be the first.
Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCORENo dupes submitted yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
If you want a similar smoky resinous thrill with a bit more herbal polish, try Amouage Interlude Man or Beaufort London Vi Et Armis. Readers interested in Prin Lomros's raw animalic signature should also look into Prin Anatolia for a dry leather perspective.
Live questions about Sohrab
Ask one quick question and let the community weigh in while it is live.
No live pulse yet.
Trusted Sellers
Community-submitted stores that regular buyers trust, by country.
No trusted sellers added for this fragrance yet.
Where to Sample
Discovery sets, official samples, and trusted decants.
No sample or decant options shared for this fragrance yet.