Rahat Loukoum

I felt a bit strange about this one. It just didn’t seem to work with my body chemistry. The scent had a synthetic, plasticky feel to it, like I had just applied a sweet cherry-almond shower gel after hanging a brand-new plastic shower curtain. I could only describe it that way—it was really quite something, but in the weirdest possible way.

A little gem this fragrance is. It opens with a bright and sweet black cherry syrup scent, fruity and natural. Over time, it shifts to include sugared almonds before settling into a base of cherries, vanilla, and a fantastic, unique almond-like blend. The liquor aspect reminds me of Amaretto Disaronno, that classic Italian liqueur, with just a hint of rose. Hours later, the drydown leaves behind tonka bean and soft, delicate musk on my skin. It’s amazing how this scent seems to nudge you to recall distant memories, as if it’s encouraging you to dig into your past for something long forgotten. Many Serge Lutens perfumes have this comforting quality to them—true masterpieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia and familiarity. Rahat Loukoum in particular brings back childhood memories, even though I’ve never actually had those Turkish sweets or been to Turkey myself. Though it leans feminine, this perfume is wearable by anyone who wants to enjoy its soft, inviting charm.

This scent smells like a sweet blend of powdered sugar and almond-flavored cookies with a touch of amaretto. It’s one of those scents you can’t get enough of—it lasts a while and sticks around on fabric and hair. Totally addictive! But man, it’s pricey.

The SL Rahat Loukoum perfume is very delicious, but it doesn’t quite capture the essence of Turkish candy, which usually has notes like pistachio, rose, saffron, and honey. Instead, this fragrance brings back happy memories for me of my childhood when my mom would make her own almond-flavored jello, which she called "almond delight." It was one of my favorite treats, and the scent here reminds me of it perfectly. Almond and honey are definitely the star notes, but about half an hour into the drydown, a lighter, more subtle mix of cherry, heliotrope, tonka bean, and resins emerges in the background. It’s really yummy!

This has been one of the more manageable heliotropes I’ve tried. The almond tart scent with a touch of maraschino cherry feels balanced. However, I'm not sure if I’d consider buying it unless it’s available in something other than a bell jar. There are so many other fragrances I'd rather try first. I should check if Guerlain offers something similar or not. Sometimes, when I think I’ve found another scent to love, it can throw me off on my skin.