***Middle Eastern Rose Collection: Sapphire Rose of Azerbaijan. Part 4 of 5

Adam Michael has this to say “Sapphire Rose of Azerbaijani is the most spectacular Azerbaijanian Rose Otto I have had in my possession to date (11.12.25). Technically Azerbaijan is also not part of the Middle-East and some even classify this country as European which I find bizarre as it’s a next door neighbour of Iran. However as far as I am concerned this is the fourth release of my Middle Eastern series. The series will conclude with part five sometime next year now, and my intention will be to bring the curtain down on the series by offering Saudi Taif Rose Otto.

Ok, this is top tier rose otto, that radiates a luminous, juicy, mouth-watering bergamot jelly, grapefruit and lemon theme with the most intense clean dewy rose character that, permission to speak freely is actually next level to a 50K Saudi Taif in my opinion. Actually, again, this is yet another rose you would want to think is a Saudi Taif.

Also no disrespect to any Bulgarians reading, but whilst your country has successfully  – with the help of various European corporations – convinced most of the West into thinking your rose damascena otto is the best in the world, true rose-heads know differently. If you don’t believe me, carry out direct comparison testing on strip  – Bulgarian despite its characteristically unique “buttery lemony” tonality will reveal a slightly sharp metallic hue when compared with the other rose ottos in question and generally be the first rose you would gladly discard. Fine details, some may say I am nit picking, but based on all the marketing B.S, high pricing and pompousness that is attached to Bulgarian damascena today, it should be pitch perfect – and it isn’t remotely close when you bring Middle-Eastern rose damascena otto into the game. Middle-Eastern roses are an experience to celebrate, and this otto specifically does everything profile wise  – bigger, better, brighter, and for longer than any Bulgarian rose damascena otto – either first or even second distillation wise.

This gold standard otto also displays orange blossom honeyed nuances, warmth comparable to trace elemi resins with an injection of sunshine rich petitgrain bergamotier. This is an otto that continues to develop in intensity on strip over a 36 hour period and like other roses I have offered over the years is  reminiscent of splashing chilled rose hydrolat onto the skin on a warm summer morning: instantly cooling, instantly uplifting, and captured here in scent with remarkable clarity.

For me, this material earns a definitive 10/10 on the scorecards, this is a winner-winner. Over 4 days and counting on strip, 7 hours on my skin type with a generous application, in formulation, it can be used anywhere a rose presence is needed—especially when both freshness and power are desired. That said, its quality is so exceptional that I would reserve it for special compositions where you truly want to leave a lasting impression, and also keep a small amount aside as an invaluable reference.”

Botanical Name: Rosa damascena 

Origin: Azerbaijan