Viva La Vida Abdul Samad Al Qurashi for men

About Viva La Vida

Viva La Vida is organised with four notes at the top, three in the heart and five forming the base, a structure that gives the opening breadth and the foundation weight. Bergamot, lemon, ginger and an aromatic note, likely a blend of herbs or lavender-like materials, form the opening. Bergamot and lemon bring sharp, fresh citrus brightness, ginger adds a warm, spicy-sweet pungency, and the aromatic element introduces a clean, slightly camphoraceous lift. The top reads as brisk and energising, with the ginger preventing the citrus from feeling too fleeting or sharp. Violet leaves, basil flower and white pepper occupy the heart. Violet leaf absolute smells green, cucumber-like and faintly metallic, quite different from the powdery sweetness of violet flowers. Basil flower, less common in perfumery than the herb, offers a softer, slightly anisic floralcy. White pepper provides a dry, woody spice, less aggressive than black pepper but with a similar cracked-peppercorn bite. The heart shifts the composition from citrus brightness to a cooler, greener register, the violet leaves in particular adding an almost watery freshness.

Cedarwood, sandalwood, tonka bean, amber and musk build the base. Cedarwood, often Virginian or Atlas, smells dry, pencil-shaving woody, sometimes slightly smoky. Sandalwood, particularly Indian sandalwood when available, is creamy, soft and faintly milky. Tonka bean contributes a sweet, hay-like warmth with hints of almond and vanilla. Amber, typically a blend of labdanum, vanilla and other resins, adds resinous glow, and musk provides a clean, skin-like foundation. The base rounds out the composition, offering enough sweetness and warmth to balance the fresh, green character of the earlier stages without tipping into heaviness.

The notes suggest a woody scent with a lifted, spicy-fresh opening and a soft, musky-sweet finish. The violet leaves and white pepper give it an unusual, slightly herbal edge, while the woods and amber keep it grounded and approachable. The overall mood reads as versatile, suited to daytime wear in moderate weather or settings where a clean, composed presence is called for.

Written by the ScentRadar editors from the facts the brand gives and the listed notes.