Purple Luban
Artisans: Elkhaldi Studio.
Profile: Resiney وFloral وPowdery.
Approach: Unscripted.
Journal Notes:
If you’ve noticed, I’ve never offered a Luban-focused blend before. While I previously explored a Royal Hojari spin-off from an ocean-inspired scent (Ocean Kinam), Luban was never the center. This time, it is. The Omani Luban shines with its familiar frankincense character, soft and gentle — never piercing, sharp, or muddy. It is slightly sweet, grounding, and resiny, carrying an earthy silkiness that feels timeless.
What makes this composition unique is how the Purple profile drapes over the Luban like a delicate veil. The iris base threads through its resinous depth, while violet florals rise above, casting a powdery, ethereal light across the darker notes. Beneath it all, the dark balsamic facets of ambergris give the Luban a non-conventional character — I think it’s safe to say you’d be hard-pressed to find many Luban-and-Purple compositions like this out there. The Luban and Purple weave together seamlessly, each elevating the other, working not in dominance but in quiet dialogue.
Just before I was going to call this blend ready, I felt it needed a touch more Oud to truly earn its place on your shelf. Beyond the wild Nagaland already present in Purple, I’ve integrated a touch of Malaysian Oud 1995 for good measure. That said, for those who wish to deepen its Oud profile further, this blend is available with optional SQ Silani Oud as an add-on.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a Purple-tinged oud spray, check out the Violette Iriani. Finally, I am preparing a Purple Oud attar, which I hope will be ready in a couple of months from the time of this writing.
And hey, if you're in the mood for full on Luban experience, get some SQ Luban to use on your [Subitism] oud/incense heater.
Purple Luban ( Review2026Giveaway )
The opening presents a distinctly “purple” accord, supported by soft green nuances and a particularly refined expression of Luban. While the composition initially feels multifaceted, the structure is well-balanced, allowing each element to integrate smoothly. The purple profile (built around fig, blackcurrant, orris, violet, and lavender) leans towards a lighter, more diffusive interpretation rather than a dense or resinous one. It creates a soft, floral, fruity atmosphere with a slightly powdery texture from the orris.
The green facets, primarily driven by the violet, are handled with restraint. They don’t project aggressively but instead sit close to the skin, adding tonal contrast and complexity without disrupting the overall harmony.
The Luban stands out for its clarity and refinement. It is assertive yet controlled, with a subtle green edge and a noticeable citrus brightness. Importantly, it avoids the harsher, phenolic or musty characteristics that can sometimes dominate Luban forward compositions.
Ambergris plays a key structural role, lifting the composition and introducing a sense of airiness and diffusion, almost giving a lightly sparkling effect.
The oud functions more as a compositional anchor than a dominant note, providing cohesion and depth, and gradually softening into a smooth, slightly creamy base as the fragrance develops.
Purple Luban by Elkhaldi is honestly one of those scents that just clicks instantly.
To me, it smells like a purple violet tea soda. There’s this smooth, slightly fizzy feeling to it that makes it come across fresh and uplifting, while still having depth. The violet really stands out, soft and slightly powdery, but not in an old fashioned way at all. It feels airy, almost like a chilled floral drink.
At the same time, you can pick up on the darker side of the composition. There’s a gentle balsamic and smoky touch from the luban and oud in the background, along with a subtle fruitiness from the blackcurrant and fig that adds richness without making it overly sweet. The ambergris gives it a faint oceanic vibe that keeps everything feeling open and balanced.
The tea like nuance running through it ties everything together, giving it that unique “violet tea soda” impression that makes it stand out so much. It’s playful but also refined, sweet but grounded, and just smells amazing in the air.
Definitely one of those fragrances that feels different in the best way possible.
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