FAAN Amjad Kingdom review: notes, strength and when to wear it

FAAN Amjad Kingdom belongs to the Amjad line, which is made of Extrait de Parfum bottles. We are an independent retailer. The notes and ratings below come from our product page, so you know what to expect before you order.

Notes at a glance

• Top: ambrette, elemi, vetiver, hibiscus
• Heart: styrax, violet, amber, benzoin
• Base: labdanum, ambergris, musk, amber xtreme

The listed accords are amber, musky, resinous and woody. The tagline on the product page says it plainly: violet, resin and ambergris.

How it opens, settles and ends

Kingdom does not open with a burst of citrus or fruit. The top is quiet and slightly cool. Ambrette is a musky seed note, elemi is a lemony, peppery resin, vetiver is earthy root, and hibiscus adds a tart, dry flower. The first ten minutes feel green-grey and clean.

Then the heart warms the room. Styrax is a dark, balsamic resin with a smoky edge. Violet brings powder, which softens the resin. Amber and benzoin round it, with benzoin adding a vanilla-like warmth that is not sweet.

The base is where it lives. Labdanum is a sticky amber resin. Ambergris is warm and a little salty. Musk and amber xtreme give it body and a skin-like glow. After three or four hours this is what you smell, and it is still there at bedtime.

Strength: projection 4/5, longevity 5/5

These are our ratings from the product page, not lab numbers. Projection is 4 out of 5, so people near you will smell it without you leaning in. Longevity is 5 out of 5, the top score, shared with Amjad Honour. Resins, ambergris and amber are slow to leave.

Two sprays are enough. Three in the cold, if you want to be noticed. If you want the long version, read how long Amjad Kingdom lasts.

Autumn, winter: when it works

The listed seasons are autumn and winter, and the listed moments are evenings and special occasions. That fits what we smell.

• A dinner or an event where you will be sitting close to people.
• Cool days, from first coats to heavy winter.
• A long evening where you apply once and do not want to think about it again.

It is a hard bottle to wear on a hot day. Heat pushes resin forward and makes it thick.

Who will like it and who will not

You will probably like Kingdom if you enjoy amber, resin and powder, if you like a scent that gets warmer over the hours, and if you want something unisex with weight.

You may not like it if you want fresh and bright, if you dislike powdery violet, or if you want a sweet, dessert-like finish. It is dry-warm rather than sugary. If you want fruit and a quick smile, look elsewhere in the range.

Amjad Kingdom next to Amjad Coral and Amjad Honour

• Amjad Coral: bright pear, mandarin and ginger over clean woods and musk. Projection 3, longevity 3, spring and summer. The opposite end of the line.
• Amjad Honour: frankincense, saffron and oud. Projection 4, longevity 5. Smokier and spicier. Kingdom is smoother and more powdery. Our Honour and Kingdom comparison, and our Amjad collection guide, go through the details.

You can see all fourteen bottles in the full range. If Kingdom shows as sold out, ask to be notified on the product page.

FAQ

Is Amjad Kingdom unisex?

Yes. It is listed as unisex, and the notes of violet, resin, ambergris and musk do not lean either way.

Is Amjad Kingdom sweet?

Not in a dessert way. Benzoin adds warmth, but the finish is dry amber, musk and resin.

Is it good for the office?

In one spray, on a cool day, yes. At 4 out of 5 for projection it is stronger than most office scents, so go gently.

Related reading

• FAAN Amjad perfumes: all five bottles explained
• Amjad Honour or Amjad Kingdom: which to buy
• How long Amjad Kingdom lasts