Bakhoor: the history of an Arabian fragrance tradition

Long before perfume was captured in glass bottles, fragrance travelled through smoke. The word perfume traces its roots to the Latin per fumum, meaning “through smoke”. For thousands of years, aromatic woods and precious resins have been burned in rituals and ceremonies, shaping the history of perfumery.

Across the Arabian Peninsula, this tradition lives on through bakhoor. Traditionally heated in an incense burner, its fragrant smoke has filled homes, palaces and places of worship for centuries. Deeply connected to Arab hospitality, bakhoor is often offered to guests, allowing its scent to linger on clothing long after a gathering.

Honouring this heritage, Montroi's Palladio Bakhoor is crafted from agarwood sourced from the Persian Gulf, enriched with essential oils, spices and floral essences. When gently heated, it releases a warm, smoky fragrance of woody depth and subtle spice, bringing an enduring tradition of Arabian perfumery into the present.