Gissah Imperial Valley is the smooth Arabian oud that turned a young Gulf house into a word-of-mouth name. It is clean, polished and a little sweet, the oud for people who thought they did not like oud. Here is what it actually smells like, who it suits, and the 35% extrait version we make for a fraction of the money.
Imperial, our take on Imperial Valley by Gissah. 35% Extrait, 7+ hours guaranteed, 60-day money-back. Try the 5ml for £6.99, or the 50ml at £40 (buy any 2, get 1 free).
The new wave of Arabian luxury
Gissah is a premium Arabian perfume house that emerged around 2020, part of a new generation of Gulf brands making polished, Western-friendly orientals. Rather than rely only on traditional attar-makers, it worked with trained French perfumers to give its rich oud-and-amber compositions a contemporary finish. The result feels as refined as European niche but comes from the heart of the oud tradition.
What Imperial Valley smells like
Launched in 2021, Imperial Valley opens bright and peppery, Sicilian bergamot and pink pepper over green davana. Then it settles into its real character: a smooth, clean oud wrapped in white amber and a touch of rosemary, grounded by leather, musk and Haitian vetiver.
It is refined and slightly sweet rather than harsh or animalic, the kind of scent that reads expensive without trying too hard. It projects well and lasts a long time.
Is Gissah Imperial Valley unisex?
Yes. The smooth oud, amber and soft leather sit comfortably on anyone, which is a large part of why it crossed over. It works in the office and on a night out.
What our own shop data says
In the last 90 days Aromara sold 20 bottles of Imperial, our take on this scent, and buyers rated it 5 out of 5 across 5 verified reviews. That is our own sales figure, not an estimate.
Imperial: the 35% interpretation
We will be straight about what we are. Imperial is Aromara's interpretation of that smooth-oud character, not a counterfeit and not a Gissah product. It carries no branding and makes no claim to be the original. It chases the part that matters: the bergamot, pink pepper and davana opening, the oud, white amber and rosemary heart, and the leather, musk and vetiver base.
The difference is concentration and price. Imperial is built at 35% extrait, roughly double a standard eau de parfum, so the oud and amber hold for seven hours or more. It is £6.99 for a 5ml to test, or £40 for a 50ml, and we guarantee the wear time in writing with 60 days to send it back for a full refund.
Imperial versus the original, at a glance
| Aromara Imperial | Gissah Imperial Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | 35% extrait (disclosed) | Eau de parfum |
| Longevity | 7+ hours, guaranteed | Long |
| Price | £6.99 (5ml), £40 (50ml) | Premium niche, specialist retailers |
| Refund | 60-day money-back | Varies by retailer |
Our guide to extrait de parfum explains why concentration matters, and the strongest perfume dupes in the UK shows where our range sits. If you want to buy rather than read, see our best perfume dupes in the UK guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gissah Imperial Valley?
It is a smooth oud-and-amber fragrance launched in 2021 by Gissah, a premium Arabian house that works with trained French perfumers.
What does Imperial Valley smell like?
A clean, refined oud: bergamot, pink pepper and davana on top, smooth oud with white amber and rosemary in the heart, and a base of leather, musk and Haitian vetiver.
Is Gissah Imperial Valley unisex?
Yes. It is designed to suit anyone and projects well in most settings.
Is Aromara's Imperial the same as Gissah?
No. It is an independent composition inspired by the same character, built at 35% extrait for longevity and sold at a fraction of the price. It is not affiliated with Gissah.
Aromara is an independent UK fragrance house. Our fragrances are original compositions inspired by the character of well-known designer scents. We are not affiliated with Gissah, and all trademarks belong to their respective owners. Every Aromara fragrance is made in the UK at 35% extrait concentration, with a 7+ hour longevity guarantee and a 60-day money-back promise.
