Fragrance Spotlight: Bond No. 9’s Dubai III Collection

Photo courtesy of Bond No. 9

Dubai Black Sapphire. Engrossing as a forest, with lingering basenotes sprinkled throughout, Black Sapphire holds an obvious masculine appeal, yet has a mellowness that will compliment an assertively feminine woman. Its top notes—citrusy neroli blended with spicy-mellow saffron and beeswax, hinting of honey—are followed by Black Sapphire’s only floral, resplendent Turkish rose, surrounded by warm, balsamic gurjun, resinous cedarwood, and a hit of pungent pepper. The scent dries down with incense-rich oud and Siam benzoin, soothing sandalwood, cinnamon-like tolu balm, and earthy vetiver.

Dubai Jade. Vibrant and high-energy, Dubai Jade blends sparkling florals with languid incense. Starting of with nuanced wood violet leaves, tart raspberry, and warming cumin, it segues into a heart of classic florals—rose, lily, and jasmine—played out against crisp, clean cedarwood. A mélange of syrupy base notes—resinous amber and its botanic counterpart. ambrette, along with sensual musk, incense-rich oud, and leather-like birch tar—add a powerful resonance.

Dubai Garnet. Here, a romantic floral bouquet gets some unexpected partner notes. It starts with a brisk wakeup call: citrusy bergamot, light but musky blackberry, licorice-like cardamom, invigorating seaweed, and pink pepper that smells distinctly like a rose. Rose in fact is a major mid-note, accompanying those other florals, magnolia, jasmine, and lavender, along with succulent plum and spicy cumin. Classic woody and resinous base notes—musk, amber, myrrh and vetiver—give staying power, while oak moss adds a creamy-soft hint of chypre. These and all our Dubai scents are housed in the Bond No. 9 superstar bottle decked with Arabic starbursts on a gold background, while an arched door bearing the gemstone color each scent is named for beckons front and center.