A New Vision In Gold – Dahab Absolu A New Stunning Innovation By Perfumer Patrick Müller
With Kajal’s newest release of Dahab Absolu on June 3rd, 2026, Patrick Müller unveils a creation shaped by radiance and depth. A fragrance that feels both molten and serene, like light resting on gold. Known for his instinctive yet meticulous artistry, he invites us into a new chapter of his olfactory language.
In this exclusive conversation, Patrick reflects on symbolism, evolution, and the journey that led from Lamar Noir to the luminous intensity of Dahab Absolu.
Was Dahab Absolu born from a clear vision, or did its character reveal itself gradually?
Dahab Absolu was born from Lamar Noir, my first niche fragrance. In that creation, I was already working with exotic, fruity, and tropical molecules that fascinated me, and they inspired a vision for a worthy counterpart to Kajal’s most celebrated fragrance, Dahab. A fragrance with a beautiful fruity opening of passion fruit, green apple, and bergamot. Dahab Absolu continues that legacy, which is what makes it so special.
The name Dahab means gold. What does gold represent to you within this fragrance?
I focused on golden drops of honey, which pair beautifully with the warm, rosy heart of the fragrance. Around that, I wove facets of yellow fruits: passion fruit, star fruit, jackfruit, sweet orange, yellow dragon fruit, mango, and pineapple. Together, they represent the golden, sparkling nectar of Dahab Absolu.
When translating symbolism into scent, where do you begin: an emotion, a material, or a memory?
It is always a mix. You consider which materials and facets might be interesting, and then you connect them to memory. Which fruits do you love? Which ones carry positive experiences? For me, I remember when my father returned from business trips and, if we were lucky, he brought back passion fruits or other tropical fruits. I devoured them completely. Tropical fruit was always precious to me. It was simply another level of taste and experience. That feeling lives inside this fragrance.
Do you recall the moment Dahab Absolu first felt complete?
There is no clear finish line in perfumery. Even a small tweak can shift the entire balance. What helps is when you stop thinking about ingredients and instead ask, “What emotion is still missing?” Then you adjust only the materials that support that emotion. Eventually, there comes a moment when you smell it and feel that the balance is right, and you decide to stop.
How did your creative journey differ from Lamar Noir to Dahab Absolu?
Both creations share certain similarities at the outset, yet they gradually separate and unfold into entirely distinct expressions. Dahab Absolu wears a much brighter, airier character, though it still carries a woody, mossy, and subtly smoky mystery in the background. Where Lamar Noir offers darkness, Dahab Absolu offers light. The two evolve in opposite directions, and that contrast is part of what makes them a compelling pair.
Who do you envision wearing Dahab Absolu?
Someone confident, optimistic, and modern. Someone who appreciates luxury in a joyful, relaxed way. They have a radiant, golden presence rather than a dark or mysterious aura. They enjoy standing out without being dramatic. The sparkling bergamot, tropical passion fruit, and fruity-musky finish feel contemporary and polished, made for someone who is energetic, expressive, and entirely at ease with themselves.
Did Dahab Absolu surprise you at any stage of its creation?
I was genuinely intrigued by how far one can push fruity molecules within a composition. It was a learning experience, a reminder that the perception of beauty is always subjective. Very much in the nose of the beholder.
What emotion do you hope lingers with the wearer long after the fragrance settles?
Joy. Pleasure. Optimism. The bright opening of citrus and crisp green apple is energetic and uplifting. The heart, passion fruit and rose, brings a playful, youthful warmth. And as it settles into musk, amber, guaiac wood, and cashmere wood, what remains is comfort and quiet sensuality. The full arc of the fragrance is an emotional one.
If Lamar Noir was one chapter, what chapter does Dahab Absolu represent?
After my graduation, a dear colleague sent me a card with a single headline: Playtime. It perfectly captured that moment. Having completed my training under Master Perfumer Alain Alchenberger, it was immensely rewarding to finally experiment freely with the molecules we had spent nearly three years studying. Dahab Absolu carries that spirit: freedom, discovery, and the pleasure of creation without limits.
When you step back and experience Dahab Absolu not as its creator, but as a wearer, what does it say to you?
One invests so much time, love, and passion into a fragrance that it becomes almost impossible to experience it neutrally. Yet when I wear it, I feel a genuine sense of pleasure and joy. It uplifts my spirit, evokes a lighthearted mood, and reminds me of the moments and inspirations that shaped it. There is a unique satisfaction in seeing a vision come to life, not only in a way that resonates with you, but with others as well.
