Madini Oils of Morocco

Working in the centuries-old Sufi tradition of perfumery our perfume essences are pure oils created by the Madini family of Morocco, world-renowned curators of perfumed and medicinal oils. This tradition is passed on from father to son and requires years of diligent apprenticeship.

Perfume essences are entirely different from so-called “essential oils” which are simply the extracted oils of a particular substance, usually botanical. These lack the sophistication and balance of an artfully blended perfume. Needless to say, the Madini perfume essences are also a world apart from cheap perfumes created from synthetic chemicals an imitation of various commercial fragrances. The lower end of the perfume market is flooded these days with such bulk perfumes mixed up by chemists.

Perfume essences are undiluted, compounded perfumes. Because of this, they are much thicker in consistency than diluted perfumes and is why they are also called perfume oils. The oils are prepared to flow easily and our bottles have glass roll-on tops designed to deliver only the smallest amount necessary.

Madini Oils—In Stock

Almaktoub – Mostly wild coriander and citron. A herbal and oriental blend with traces of cedar, juniper, ambre, clary, sage, bergamont and petigrain.

Ambargri – A healing panacea made from large chunks of ambargris only when they are found by fisherman floating on the Atlantic ocean. A scent so beautiful and popular in Morocco that it inspired John Singer Sargent to paint his famous La Fumee d’Ambargris.

Ambre – Warm, earthy and exotic essence. Painstakingly extracted from ambre pieces washed up on North African shores and gathered by local fisherman.

Baraka – Ripe fruits sweeten this popular musk

Bouquet – An exquisite blend of rare woods and expensive spices.

Chipre – Since times of antiquity, this is a staple for the lovers of the sultry and exotic. An elusive blend of woodsy, musky and floral oils.

Hanane – An elegant balsamic composition. A galbanum base. With tuberose, red rose, jasmine, clove, santal blanc and patchouli with a hint of ambre and musk.

Henna – Known also as Camphire and Cyprinum. Sweet and long lasting. King Solomon likened his beloved to a “cluster of camphire”. The Madinis are famous for this one. Also reputed to be Cleopatra’s favorite perfume.

Jasmine – The sweetest and most celebrated flower of North Africa. Considered by many to be the most precious of floral ingredients, certainly one of the costliest.

Maderas de Oriente – From Atlas Mountain cedars. oriental woods and assorted Moroccan blossoms give this mysterious blend its unique character

Musk Gazelle – Rich, full-bodied and complex. Truly the yardstick of musk as we know it.

Neroli – Also known as bigarade or sour orange. A spicy sweet aroma commonly used as the primary ingredient in many well known perfumes.

Patchouli – In a class by itself, this mellow, strong but clear fragrance will please even the most discriminating patchouli lover

Rose – A Kuwaiti princess’ worldwide search for the perfect rose oil ended here. She still buys this rose oil by the kilo. ENOUGH SAID!

Santal Blanc – The highest grade of a time-honored classic. As cool and fragrant as the breeze from a Chinese sandalwood fan.

Zagora – A voluptuous and daring scent consisting of santal blanc, musk and lily.

HISTORY

The history of the Madini oils begins with the Hariris, an eminent Saudi Arabian family who were perfumers and silk traders for centuries in the city of Medina. When Moulay Hafid, a Moroccan sultan, married into the Hariri family around the turn of the century, several members of the Hariri family came to Tangiers, Morocco, where they established an enduring reputation for producing the finest perfumes. There they were known as the Madinis, meaning “the ones who came from Medina.” The centuries-old tradition they represented flourished in Morocco, which is known for its excellent and varied flora. In the Madini family, the art of creating, blending, and applying essential oils is handed down from generation to generation and involves a lengthy and arduous apprenticeship. The olfactory sensibilities required are extraordinary, because many of the creations incorporate miniscule amounts of rare essences that must harmonize with other dominant fragrances. The information is transmitted verbally, and requires a direct and intimate experience with all the nuances of the perfumer’s art. The current head of the Madini family, Suleiman, practiced under the direction of his father, Sherif Ibrahim Madini, for over fifteen years before assuming his leadership responsibilities.