Assaf is a Gulf luxury house inspired by the Najd desert, with sites in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and the motto "Greatness or Nothing". Its perfumes come in large bottles, mostly 125 to 200 ml, and run from fresh and fruity, like Strike Black, to dark and smoky, like Wild Colt Elixir. This guide compares every Assaf we carry at Sara Sakina, using the notes Assaf lists for each one.
Strike Black: the fresh, fruity one
Profile: bergamot, grapefruit and blackcurrant, then pineapple, cinnamon, citron and cardamom, drying to pink pepper, patchouli and vetiver. Citrus, fruity and woody.
Format: 125 ml eau de parfum, made for men.
Verdict: our best selling Assaf and the easiest to wear. A bright scent for daytime and holidays, with a spiced pineapple core. Assaf Strike Black →
Arrogate Pink Diva: the fruity floral
Profile: juicy fruits and white flowers over a soft, musky and woody base.
Format: 200 ml eau de parfum, made for women.
Verdict: our second best selling Assaf. Cheerful and easy for daily wear in spring and summer. Assaf Arrogate Pink Diva →
Arrogate Comete: the warm, spicy floral
Profile: saffron and orange, then rose and orange blossom, drying to amber and cedarwood.
Format: 200 ml eau de parfum, unisex.
Verdict: the evening pick from the Arrogate collection, best in cooler months. Assaf Arrogate Comete →
Arrogate Addict Elixir: citrus with an amber finish
Profile: the richer elixir version of Arrogate Addict, a fresh citrus scent, finished with warm amber.
Format: 150 ml eau de parfum, unisex.
Verdict: for anyone who wants fresh citrus with more warmth, for daily wear and evenings. If it's sold out, Strike Black is the fresh pick in stock. Assaf Arrogate Addict Elixir →
Frankel Black Elixir: the clean, aromatic one
Profile: lemon and iris, then violet, basil and vetiver, drying to amber, vanilla, cedarwood and musk.
Format: 200 ml elixir, made for men, listed by Assaf at 30 percent concentration.
Verdict: polished enough for work and warm enough for evenings. If it's sold out, Strike Black is the closest fresh one in stock. Assaf Frankel Black Elixir →
Wild Colt Elixir: the dark, smoky one
Profile: davana, oud, incense, vetiver and leather.
Format: 200 ml eau de parfum, unisex.
Verdict: the boldest Assaf we carry, for anyone who wants depth over sweetness. Best in fall and winter. If it's sold out, Tobacco Jam 50 or our own Qadr bring the depth. Assaf Wild Colt Elixir →
Tobacco Jam 50: tobacco and vanilla
Profile: bergamot and lavender, then amber and patchouli, drying to vanilla and tobacco.
Format: 100 ml extrait de parfum, unisex, listed by Assaf at 50 percent concentration.
Verdict: the cold weather date night pick, sweet with an earthy edge. Assaf Tobacco Jam 50 →
Which Assaf should you buy?
First Assaf: Strike Black. For her: Arrogate Pink Diva. Evenings and cooler weather: Comete, Wild Colt Elixir or Tobacco Jam 50. Work: Frankel Black Elixir. Fresh citrus: Arrogate Addict Elixir.
Is there a Sara Sakina perfume like Strike Black?
Amazight, our own extrait de parfum mixed by founder Aymane Zerzkhane, shares Strike Black's pineapple, berry and cardamom notes but trades the vetiver and patchouli for a Bulgarian and Turkish rose heart and a vanilla, amber and musk base. If you prefer the warmth of Tobacco Jam 50, Qadr pairs saffron, coffee and suede with tonka and vanilla. Both are CA$99 for 100 ml, with a 5 ml tester for CA$7.99.
Notes above follow Assaf's own listings. Smell any of them at Sara Sakina, Oakville Place, Oakville, or browse the full Assaf collection with delivery across Canada and the United States from Ontario.