* Logical flanker that replaces gourmand sweet cinnamon notes of the original with fresh florals
* Heady blend of leather, oud, woody, fruit, matchstick incense, smoke and floral aromas
* Florals give a nice uplifting fresh note to the strong leather and oud aromas
* Dry and rich fragrance
* Rubber note in the drydown is toned down from the original
* Very strong performer
* Niche quality for discounter price
* Excellent QPR value
* Beautiful bottle presentation
* Leather and oud are still polarizing to some noses
* Not unisex
* Not good for younger users
* A slight touch of petrol on the drydown
Lattafa's Qaa'ed Al Shabab is the first flanker to Qaa'ed. Whereas the original is a potent hybrid leather/oud/gourmand fragrance with a distinctive cinnamon note, Qaa'ed Al Shahab swaps out the sweet cinnamon for fresh florals. This is a heady blend of leather, oud, woody, fruit, matchstick incense, smoke and floral aromas. This is very dry and rich, yet the florals in particular give this a nice uplifting fresh note that lightens the otherwise very strong leather and oud aromas.
The leather and oud combination is likely to be polarizing to some noses. It comes off slightly as petrol on the drydown, similar to Dior Farenheit. Still, this is an insanely good QPR value, offering niche quality at a discounter price with an incredibly strong performance to boot. This is not unisex and not good for younger users, it's really geared towards a certain type of older male user confident enough to wear it. Those who can wear it will be rewarded for it. Highly recommended if you can pull it off.