Lorène

Lorène is arguably the most ambitious offering Hekayat Attar brings to the South African market, layering bright cherry and tart green apple over a genuinely complex heart of oud, saffron, and rose before settling into a warm, mossy base anchored by caramel vanilla and cypriol. That fruit-meets-resin combination sounds like it could go sideways, but the lactonic heart keeps everything cohesive, lending a creamy softness that stops the oud from dominating. It's a unisex scent that leans slightly feminine in its opening hour before shifting into richer, more androgynous territory as the gurjum and amber take hold. Given the depth of the base notes, this one is best saved for cooler Highveld evenings or a winter night out — the dry air lets the oud and moss breathe without the sweetness becoming cloying. If you enjoy orientals that tell a full story from first spray to dry-down, Lorène is well worth a sample before committing.