Al Wataniah: history, bestsellers and everything about the perfume house from Dubai
Al Wataniah is a perfume brand from Dubai. The brand makes affordable 100 ml eau de parfums, mixing oriental notes such as oud, amber and rose with a fresh or sweet Western touch. At Arabmusk, Sultan al Lail, Masaa’ al Malik and Oud Elixir are the best known. In this article you will learn where Al Wataniah comes from, which company is behind it, who the fragrances are made for and which Al Wataniah perfumes are the most popular.
Al Wataniah at a glance
| Origin | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Active since | 2012 according to the brand; other sources say 2013 |
| Parent company | ABC International (also known as ABC Fragrances) |
| Sister brands | Probably Grandeur Elite (see below) |
| Known for | Affordable 100 ml eau de parfums, the Kayaan range and the Rawaee line |
| Style | Oriental and woody, but also fresh, floral and gourmand |
| Price range | Budget to affordable |
| Popular in | Gulf region, Europe, Asia and the Americas (according to the brand, more than 80 countries) |
| At Arabmusk | All Al Wataniah products |
The history of Al Wataniah
Al Wataniah calls itself an Arabian perfume house from Dubai, since 2012. Other sources give 2013. In Arabic the name roughly means ‘national’ or ‘of the homeland’. According to its own website, Al Wataniah is the core brand of ABC International, a company also known as ABC Fragrances.
The brand grew quickly. According to Al Wataniah, it is now available in more than 80 countries and won a Cosmoprof Award in 2023. These figures come from the brand itself. Well-known lines are the Classic, Eternal and Niche collections, with fragrances such as Kayaan, Sabah al Ward and Special Oud.
Where does Al Wataniah come from?
Al Wataniah is an Emirati brand from Dubai. You can tell from the style: many fragrances revolve around oud, amber, rose and musk, the classic building blocks of Arabic perfumery. At the same time, the brand makes fresh citrus fragrances and sweet, floral scents that also go down well in Europe.
Parent company and sister brands
The company behind Al Wataniah is ABC International. It has registered both the Al Wataniah and Grandeur brand names, including in the United States. At Arabmusk you will find both brands in the ABC Fragrances collection. So it is likely that Grandeur Elite belongs to the same company. Read more in our article about Grandeur Elite.
Where is Al Wataniah popular?
Al Wataniah is big in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where the brand has its own online shops. According to the brand, it is also sold in France, Indonesia, Brazil and the United States, among other places. In the Netherlands and Belgium, Al Wataniah is mainly sold online.
Who is Al Wataniah for?
- Anyone who wants a large bottle at a low price. Most fragrances are 100 ml.
- Oud lovers. Oud Elixir, Oud Mystery and Oud Cambodi are accessible oud fragrances.
- Anyone who likes fresh, spicy men's fragrances. Sultan al Lail is citrusy and spicy.
- Women who love flowers. Shaghaf al Ward and Ameerati are floral and soft.
Al Wataniah makes fragrances for women, for men and unisex.
The most popular Al Wataniah perfumes
These are the Al Wataniah fragrances bought most often at Arabmusk.
1. Al Wataniah Sultan al Lail
Al Wataniah Sultan al Lail eau de parfum
Juniper, blood orange and lemon, a spicy heart of pepper, sage, lavender and geranium, and a base of vetiver, cedar and patchouli.
2. Al Wataniah Masaa’ al Malik
Al Wataniah Masaa’ al Malik eau de parfum
Fresh and spicy in the opening, with a warm, floral heart and a woody, musky base.
3. Al Wataniah Oud Elixir
Al Wataniah Oud Elixir eau de parfum
Unisex: pink pepper, blackcurrant, geranium and lychee, a heart of orange, tuberose and jasmine, and a base of vanilla, sandalwood and musk.
4. Al Wataniah Shaghaf al Ward
Al Wataniah Shaghaf al Ward eau de parfum
Floral for women: jasmine and rose, a heart of tuberose and narcissus, and a warm base of amber and cedar.
5. Al Wataniah Oud Mystery
Al Wataniah Oud Mystery eau de parfum
Warm, woody and oriental. A fragrance for the evening and colder days.
Other well-loved Al Wataniah fragrances include Leen, Thanaani, Oud Cambodi and Ameerati.
Overview: which Al Wataniah suits you?
| Fragrance | Character | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sultan al Lail | Fresh, spicy | Blood orange, lavender, vetiver |
| Masaa’ al Malik | Spicy, woody | Spices, wood, musk |
| Oud Elixir | Fruity, floral | Lychee, tuberose, vanilla |
| Shaghaf al Ward | Floral, warm | Rose, tuberose, amber |
| Oud Mystery | Woody, oriental | Oud, wood |
Al Wataniah at Arabmusk
- All Al Wataniah products: 100 ml eau de parfums.
- ABC Fragrances: Al Wataniah and Grandeur Elite together.
- Sister brand: Grandeur Elite.
Tips for wearing Al Wataniah
- Spray on pulse points. Wrists and neck give the best diffusion.
- Choose by moment. Sultan al Lail is fresh enough for daytime; Oud Mystery and Oud Elixir suit the evening better.
How a fragrance smells and how long it lasts varies from skin to skin.
Frequently asked questions about Al Wataniah
Where does Al Wataniah come from?
Al Wataniah comes from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. According to the brand, it has existed since 2012.
What does Al Wataniah mean?
Al Wataniah (الوطنية) roughly means ‘the national one’ in Arabic.
What is ABC Fragrances?
ABC is the company behind Al Wataniah. At Arabmusk we use that name for the collection with Al Wataniah and Grandeur Elite.
Which Al Wataniah fragrance is the most popular?
At Arabmusk it is Sultan al Lail, followed by Masaa’ al Malik and Oud Elixir.