This is a serious, opulent rose that polarises. For those who love its dark, jammy depth, it's a vampy, sexy dream. For others, it's a bit too much- like a rich aunty's lipstick mixed with a smokey ham sandwich. Regardless, it's a high-class, unique statement scent.

Doha Valley reproduces Hudson Valley's short, punchy blackcurrant-saffron-rose-amber formula closely, and the fruity opening is a strong match, but the rose loses definition fast here and the patchouli-amber base comes across flatter than Gissah's more textured original.