Imperial Valley

Gissah   Original
Dupe Pair
VS
Imperial Valley Eau de Parfum bottle Imperial Valley
Edp Concentration Edp
U Gender U
2021 Year 2023
££ Price Tier £
Uhibuk Akthar Rijali Eau de Parfum bottle Uhibuk Akthar Rijali
Our Verdict

Uhibbuk Akthar Rijali is a highly similar, budget-friendly alternative to the more expensive and polarizing Imperial Valley. The key difference lies in the nuanced composition. Imperial Valley boasts a beast-mode projection and unique profile that some find challenging, while Uhibbuk Akthar Rijali offers a smoother, more accessible take on the same aromatic, oud, and leather themes. If you appreciate the core DNA but want a less challenging experience, Uhibbuk Akthar Rijali is the clear winner. However, those seeking maximum impact and complexity might still prefer the original.

ScentArt

A
Imperial Valley
B
Uhibuk Akthar Rijali
Full Screen Compare

Which Should You Buy?

Choose Imperial Valley if...
  • You want the original's complex, beast-mode performance.
  • You're drawn to challenging and unique fragrances.
  • You prefer a more potent and long-lasting scent.
Choose Uhibuk Akthar Rijali if...
  • You want a budget-friendly alternative.
  • You prefer a smoother, more accessible scent profile.
  • You find Imperial Valley too challenging or overpowering.
  • You want to test the IV DNA without a large outlay.
Our Verdict - Imperial Valley
Imperial Valley is divisive, hailed as a masterpiece by some and a scrubber by others. This beast-mode Arab-Western fusion of fresh oud and leather needs to be tested on skin before committing, as its strength and unique profile aren't for everyone.
Acquired
Our Verdict - Uhibuk Akthar Rijali
A near-verbatim budget interpretation of Gissah Imperial Valley, copying the davana-bergamot-pink-pepper top, oud-amber-rosemary heart, and leather-vetiver-musk base with the same Arabian woody-aromatic character.
Acquired

Scent Profile

Citrus Floral Fruity Green Sweet Warm Woody Earthy Animalic Fresh
Citrus 16% 10%
Floral 10% 7%
Fruity 11% 8%
Green 4% 9%
Sweet 7% 10%
Warm 19% 22%
Woody 13% 21%
Earthy 12% 15%
Animalic 28% 26%
Fresh 12% 11%

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Imperial Valley EdP
Uhibuk Akthar Rijali EdP

Notes

Shared Notes
Bergamot 39% vs 36%
Pink Pepper 32% vs 29%
Davana 27% vs 34%
Only in Uhibuk Akthar Rijali
Oud 40% Amber 33% Rosemary 27%
Shared Notes
Leather 42% vs 39%
Musk 29% vs 29%
Vetiver 27% vs 31%

Accords

Imperial Valley Uhibuk Akthar Rijali
100%
Aromatic
100%
97%
Oud
100%
92%
Leather
95%
84%
Fresh Spicy
75%
75%
Animalic
65%
73%
Musky
60%
73%
Amber
60%
72%
Citrus
55%
68%
Woody
58%
Powdery
Aromatic shared
100%
100%
Oud shared
97%
100%
Leather shared
92%
95%
Fresh Spicy shared
84%
75%
Animalic shared
75%
65%
Musky shared
73%
60%
Amber shared
73%
60%
Citrus shared
72%
55%
68%
58%

Performance

Imperial Valley Uhibuk Akthar Rijali
Long (6-10h)
Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Strong
Projection
Strong
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Season and Occasion Fit

Imperial Valley

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Summer

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Casual
Also Works:
Formal

Its nuclear performance and strong sillage make it unsuitable for office settings as it's often described as 'too much'. However, its long lasting, projecting nature and luxurious profile make it perfect for dates, casual outings, and can even work in formal settings if applied sparingly.

Uhibuk Akthar Rijali

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn Winter

Oud-leather-amber composition reads richest in cool weather; the davana-bergamot top adds enough lift to carry into mild spring evenings, but the heavy heart and base feel oppressive in summer heat.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Office Casual

Oud-aromatic-leather is the textbook formal and date composition in Arabian niche perfumery; the bergamot-davana opening keeps it conservative enough for office wear at low spray counts, but the heart projects too richly for casual daytime.

Where to buy

Imperial Valley
Uhibuk Akthar Rijali
also worth checking

ScentVerdict earns a commission from purchases - this doesn't affect our verdicts.

Compare Another Pair

VS