Casbah

Had to quarantine my blotter in a plastic bag and get it outside to the trash AySAP. NOT my thing. These notes don't appeal nor work on me, was given a large number of samples at a frag event so working my way through the lot. Aggressive is an understatement. Something sour and angry and cold about this, at least on paper. Perhaps the right chemistry and skin warmth could make it bloom on the right wearer.

This is a review of the OG white label bottle. Disclaimer: This has been my signature for a decade now. And when i say signature, i don't mean a dumb reach, but instead the only scent i choose to wear when i want to "present" how i smell in formal events. If you watched the Netflix show "Dark", you would agree that this is the scent Noah would have been wearing when he was a priest. But of course, I'm not Noah :) My bottle (like all my other bottles) has been kept in a dark closet for 10 years now, away from heat and humidity. Wearing this scent is like making a pact with the devil. The devil in this case is an ashy incense drydown that endures showers, scrubbing after scrubbing after scrubbing, and you will still smell traces of it. You will need to make big decisions before committing to wear it as your scent of the day/night, because it's a long term contract. I've been in this hobby for 20 years now and i haven't encountered a scent that sticks and lingers on the skin for that long, period. And the 10 year maceration of my bottle probably made it even stronger. It's gothic, grey and dark. It will wear your soul, not just your skin. So, tread lightly. The opening greets you with a vivid explosion of herbal angelica and black pepper, which are quickly joined by a 3D dry tobacco accord. The tobacco smells "alive", as if it's a living entity slowly crawling on the skin. Underneath the top notes sits a very dark, bitter and almost animalic vetiver accord. I honestly haven't caught up on the animalic facets until after countless wearings. But of course, the director of the show is a cold ashy smoky frankincense. This is the main character. This is the devil you need to make a pact with. The one that overcomes showers and scrubbing after scrubbing after scrubbing after scrubbing after scrubbing. With that said, even if you love incense, i actually strongly advice not to blind buy this, because this might not actually be the incense you have in mind. Crazy to say right? Well let me explain. This is not your typical churchy incense. The frankincense here doesn't smell like the actual ceremony of burning frankincense, but rather the somber smell of the aftermath ashes that lingers till the next day after the ceremony. If you burn real frankincense resins at home like i do, you'll know exactly what i'm talking about. And by the way, despite its darkness, this is actually hands down my most complimented scent. What can i say, we're a match made in heaven/hell :) A masterfully blended dark magic in a bottle.

A muted version of full incense (Montale) or Avignon(CDG). It’s very nice and as you would expect.

Smells like myrrh to me mostly. I don't find it wearable although it's not like dark churchy-overbearing at all. It just smells old.

I perceive incense, black pepper, and pine needles. I don’t know exactly how angelica plant smells, but I catch herbal, slightly sour notes balanced by the sweetness of nutmeg. I tried this perfume because of the incense, but to my taste the combination isn’t very successful. It doesn’t feel uplifting. it’s grounded and more masculine than I expected. Unfortunately, I don’t detect any iris.

I have to admit — Casbah really won me over. It’s a scent that’s both dynamic and intriguing, where luminous white incense intertwines with darker nuances of spice and wood. This layered complexity is part of its charm. What's impressive is that the central theme—built around olibanum (frankincense)—never truly disappears. It merely softens at times, only to return with full intensity moments later. I also wondered whether there’s an ideal time of day or season for wearing this fragrance. But honestly, I don’t think so. Casbah feels incredibly versatile—a scent for any occasion, and one that suits men and women of all ages. And for lovers of incense? An absolute must-try. My rating: Recommended. (6/7)

I like it, it doesn't smell arabic or middle-eastern. It smells quite churchy.

Cabah versione 2012 credo sia fuori produzione,come tutti i migliori profumi. Veramente ben riuscito, un miscuglio di più di 20 tipi di incenso e resine,(olibano, mastice,coppale, mirra, etc),che evoca l'aroma intossicante di una defumazione che si usa nella magia brasiliana, a volte esce un incenso di chiesa tanto forte che lo sentono a distanza,altri momenti piccante e pungente di spezie e tabacco, poi secco e verde.. Questo profumo ha splendidi risultati su ognuno, piace e incanta. Non è una fragranza che seduce nel senso sessuale ne carnale,ma seduce con il fascino della spiritualità, della magia e dell'eleganza.

Dark church incense, so soothing. Such an underrated goth gem. It is like breaking open a door beneath an abandoned church filled with crypts and relics, some that look a bit... satanic. It is dark and covered in cobwebs and the air is thick with pungent incense smoke. This also makes me think of not-so-innocent nuns and pope's dealing with daemon possessions. This is on PAR with LAVS and Reliqua, actually most of Sorcinellis' gothique church fragrances. This one is a beast and I can smell it just as clearly as I sprayed it the next day if I go to bed in it.

Casbah by Robert Piguet is a sacred smoky-amber fragrance that unfolds like a whispered ritual, blending pure incense with the warmth of amber, cedarwood and spice to create an aura of quiet strength and mystery. Its heart resonates with velvety iris and dry resins that feel both intimate and commanding, while the incense rises with meditative elegance, enveloping the wearer in a cloak of power and serenity. Both sillage and longevity are undeniably strong, ensuring the scent lingers with a magnetic presence, making Casbah an ideal companion for a date or a night out in the dim glow of a bar where allure and mystery become unforgettable. Occasion: Date/ Night out(Bar) Scent: 1.6/2 Longevity: 1.7/2 Sillage: 1.5/2 Packaging: 1.3/2 Price: 1.1/2 ——— I’d rate it 7.2 out of 10.

I got the ver. with black label and I am disappointed. I was looking for churchy/smoky/cold incense and I what I got is woody/froresty/dry experience. I remember that origianl, with white label was way more better..

Smells like a scene from "The Sheltering Sky" by Paul Bowles. This is utterly enchanting and magical juice. 9/10

The first time I've tried this fragrance it was late August, and I was hesitant to apply it to my skin, so I tested it on paper instead. It immediately struck me with its powerful, sacred aura. Casbah takes me to an ancient church, evoking a sense of timelessness and reverence, a place lost in the distant past, far removed from modern times. It projects intensely, like an incense that’s not just for any ordinary mass but one held for an extraordinarily significant event. The incense in ths is mineral-like and slightly cold, reminiscent of the weathered stone walls of old churches. It’s a scent that demands attention. On my skin, it’s even more striking. At first, a strong smoky element unsettles me, hinting at burnt woods, but as it develops, the overwhelming pepper intensity starts to mellow out, coming off as pure subtle freshness. Despite its initial, heady blast, the fragrance evolves into something beautifully complex and mesmerizing, with a delicate hint of enveloping tobacco that adds warmth and depth to the composition. It lingers for hours, so much so that 24 hours later, even after a shower, I can still detect a faint trace on my wrist. The longevity is unmatched.

I particularly liked this incense based perfume.

The evening descends upon Algiers, the city alive with the vibrancy of both ancient traditions and modern allure. You wander through the narrow streets of the Kasbah, where the scent of incense and spices hangs in the air, carried by the warm evening breeze. The sounds of laughter and distant drums fill the air as the city prepares for another sultry night. Dressed in a light, cream-colored Loro Piana linen shirt, the soft fabric brushing against your skin in the heat, and a pair of tailored Céline trousers, you exude effortless elegance. Your Santoni loafers make no sound as you glide across the cobblestones, the soft light of lanterns casting shadows that play with the rhythm of your steps. The fragrance that clings to your skin is Casbah by Robert Piguet—a scent that embodies the mystique and sensuality of the Mediterranean, blending the warmth of the desert with the coolness of the evening air. It opens with a bold burst of spicy clove, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg—warm, inviting, and heady, like the first touch of the desert breeze at dusk. These spices mingle with the smooth, leathery undertones of sandalwood and amber, grounding the fragrance in the raw elegance of the Kasbah itself. As it settles deeper into the evening, the scent becomes richer, more intoxicating. The heart reveals floral notes of jasmine and rose, their sweetness tempered by the earthy warmth of patchouli and musk, creating an almost hypnotic combination. It feels like a forbidden romance—secretive, sensual, and full of longing. As the fragrance lingers, it turns into a soft, smoky warmth, like the memory of a lover’s embrace or the last sip of a strong, dark drink shared under the starry sky. Casbah is the fragrance of the night, a sensual dance between light and dark, between comfort and danger. It captures the essence of ancient, hidden desires, a perfume that leaves a lingering, unforgettable trail. It’s a fragrance for those who live on the edge, who embrace the mystique of the unknown, and who never shy away from the seductive power of a perfect evening in the heart of the Kasbah.

CASBAH is available again on their website finally! I thought it will never come back. Im soo happy

Quando indossavo Casbah ricordo che le persone a distanza sentivano un alone di incenso da chiesa molto forte mentre da vicino altre cose. Casbah ho visto che è stato cambiato passando dall'etichetta bianca e rossa a quella nera e leggo che lamentano che non sia lo stesso. Inoltre sembra sia stato interrotto. Mi tengo la mia edizione del 2012 che è buonissima. Nel profumo non ci sono ovviamente solo le poche note che vengono elencate,ma sfoggia un bouquet di piu di 20 tipi di incenso diversi, tipo copale, lentisco,olibano,etc etc. Non mi ricorda l'oriente per nessun motivo.

This is nice, but I wanted more. I was hoping for a full-on, in your face, rich tobacco/incense perfume. It has those elements, for sure, but it seems to be holding back - more of an idea of a casbah than one in reality.

This review is for the new version (black label), not the glorious original, and calling this new Casbah a "reformulation" is specious, at best - it is nothing like my previous bottle. I loved the brightness and full-on incense character of the original; all I get from this new version is stale cola; thankfully it doesn't last very long.

Bring back this GEM!

Anyone in Canada have a bottle of this to sell? Thank you

8 ml ,62,20 Euro

HI Julius, Casbah is now available on our website. Kind regards, Team RPP

Hi All, let me know, Robert Piguet replacement, if you know, let me know, I will reciprocate. I asked Robert Piguet Parfums if they were reissuing Casbah, ...they wrote back that they could, which means it's probably about quantity....

Love this! I got a whole stack of sample when I bought Zazen and this was part of the pack. It literally smells like ginger beer, the real spicy kind. It’s the closest thing to a true ginger solinote I’ve found thus far and I know I’ll probably pick up a full bottle of this at some point. The perfume was incredibly long lasting and stayed relatively linear throughout the perfume although the initial ginger spice did become slightly smokier into the drydown. I liked that though because I absolutely loved the opening. I’ve been searching for an incense fragrance as well and found this by chance. I really want to purchase a bottle although that seems like it may be harder than I thought. 9/10

Church on Sunday: 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘩 Robert Piguet, 2012 Incense on a bed of intensely Green, Spicy and Herbaceous elements. The spices emanate from Nutmeg, Black Pepper and I also suspect something like Ginger with a dry, sharp, herbal freshness. Cedar and Vetiver in the base rounds this off nicely with some woodiness. It leans Green heavily, which has to be the aforementioned Angelica, with its herbaceous, musky, aromatic qualities. There could also be some Rosemary here, perhaps Basil. I also appreciate how there's not a sweet bone in its body. In all honesty, it feels vain talking about ingredients here. Let's keep things simple: Casbah is a tremendous Green-Spicy Incense, as vigorous as Incenses come, but far more intriguing and inspired from Nature as any Incense I've smelled. The smokiness carries within it some holy spirit of the Church, as well as the green spirits of the forest. It is laden with such agrestic, theistic and even emotional character that each time I put it on I find myself residing in a far away century, in a milieu akin to Bergman's Virgin Spring. It's an Incense composition that's very much unlike anything you'll find in Designers or even niche houses today. Granted, I've never smelled Incense Avignon that this is supposed to resemble, but I'd be surprised if Avignon has the same emphasis on the Green aspects as Casbah does. Casbah's insistence on remaining a Green Beast more than merely an Incense Beast is what distinguishes it from the hoardes of Church-Incenses that characterize modern Perfume houses' ventures into 'Orientals'. Casbah has better than average projection, decent longevity and is priced fantastically. I can't think of a way this can get any better. I take a couple marks off as I don't see myself as hip enough or having a big enough personality to pull this off on a regular basis, meaning it just isn't perfect FOR ME. And I wish subjectivity had nothing to do with Perfume (since if it didn't, Casbah is Perfect, with every element just where it should be). I already rue not giving it a perfect score, since it really deserves an A+, as a unique Incense composition. 👃👃👃👃 & a half @bigbusynose of Instagram fame

I wish this would be produced again! One of the most entrancing smells ever! Edit; I see an April 30th availability date... Edit2; now it's end of July.. But I already obtained one almost full one viavia... It's delicious!!!

This is one of my all-time favorites. If you like spicy incense and woodsy, you can’t go wrong with this. Although you could classify this as unisex to masculine. I as a woman get compliments everywhere I go when I wear this. It’s sexy and bold.

My search for the very best incense fragrances led me to Casbah and away from CDG Avignon. Both are ancient church and cold smoke fragrances, but I find Casbah has more personality. There's a distinct green vein along with some iris and tobacco running through Casbah which I prefer over the CDG. Although both are pretty much photorealistic, I find the spiciness and extra facets of this better on my skin. It's also worth mentioning performance is pretty good on this. I wore it in the evening and when I woke up in the morning I could still smell it on my skin. CDG you have to spray much more to get it perform. Also, you get a 100ml of Casbah vs 50ml of CDG. I still like the CDG, but found it redundant so I sold it. All and all, this, and ELDO Rein, are probably my favorites niche incense fragrances.

Not a cathedral incense; very much an outdoor one, with a spicy mix of nutmeg and tobacco to carry it through the initial hit to a leathery-grassy dry down. One of those fragrances to reach for when your nose is saying, 'Let's try something different today' Overall, though, the preponderance of penetrating spice over soothing incense acts as a deterrent against frequent wear.