Attar
Also known as: Ittar
An oil-format perfume, also spelled ittar. Traditional Indian attars can be made by distilling aromatic materials into sandalwood oil; contemporary products need their own composition and application details.
Attar, also spelled ittar, refers to an oil-format perfume. A traditional Indian production method distills aromatic materials into a receiving vessel containing sandalwood oil. Fragrance manufacturer Rishabh Kothari describes that method in his account of the Indian essential-oil industry, with rose and vetiver among the botanical examples.
The name also appears on contemporary perfume collections. Amouage describes Rose Aqor as an attar with rose, frankincense and sandalwood notes, at 100% oil concentration. That is the brand’s description of this particular product, not a standard recipe for every bottle labelled attar.
When choosing one, check the maker’s explanation of its materials, format and application. If natural sourcing or the absence of alcohol matters to you, ask about the specific product. A familiar floral or woody direction can be a useful starting point for a sample.
Use the product’s applicator and follow its directions, starting with a small amount while getting to know it. Compare how much scent you notice nearby and how long you enjoy it during wear; the word attar alone does not provide a wear-time rating.