Amouage Launches Supply Chain for Omani Rose

Omani rose essential oil is taking center stage as Amouage builds a new supply chain for this rare ingredient. Cultivated for centuries in the Jabal Akhdar mountains, more than 2,000 meters above sea level, the Damascena Trigintipetala develops a distinct olfactory identity. Shaped by rocky soils and steep terraces, this variety reveals a signature that is brighter, greener, and more mineral than the same types grown in Turkey or Bulgaria, according to Francesca Bonati, Fragrance Development Manager at Amouage.

Ancestral methods meet modern science

Harvested by hand from mid-March to late April, the blossoms are distilled over wood fires in terracotta stills. This ancestral technique lends the resulting rose water delicate woody and smoky nuances. The essential oil, far rarer, is recovered as a by‑product of this process. Unlike the common practice of cohobation, where the distillate is repeatedly returned to the still to boost yields, this oil is obtained through a single distillation, lending it exceptional purity.

Today, essential oil production remains extremely limited, totalling only around 50 millilitres. Amouage sees an opportunity to transform this rare artisanal product into a scalable premium ingredient supported by a viable supply chain. The potential is tangible: many of Jabal Akhdar’s agricultural terraces remain underutilized, and the rose begins producing its first harvests just two to three years after planting.

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Amouage has turned to LMR Naturals by IFF to handle the extraction. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with the vision and values of Monique Rémy, the founder of LMR,” says Sabrya Meflah, President of Fine Fragrance at IFF. Rather than relying solely on this scarce resource, LMR has developed an approach that combines the traditional rose water with the essential oil to create a brand new ingredient. Without resorting to petrochemicals, LMR’s teams will recover the aromatic molecules present in the rose water distillation runoff and recombine them with the rose essence.

Extraction will take place directly in Oman to preserve the flowers’ aromatic integrity, minimizing exposure to heat and sunlight. The new facilities are expected to be operational in time for the 2027 harvest season, which runs from mid-March to mid‑April. Much like the Omani frankincense from Wadi Dawkah, the project aims to use the Omani rose in meaningful concentrations so its distinctive character can fully express itself.

Building a global benchmark

The initiative is designed to shape a distinctive olfactory signature for Amouage. It builds on the vision of Renaud Salmon, who began anchoring the House’s creative identity in Omani raw materials with the Wadi Dawkah frankincense project launched in 2024. That frankincense, with its lively, highly diffusive profile, naturally complements the Omani Damascena rose.

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It is a highly mineral rose with a modern feel, featuring zesty notes. The project also creates value beyond fragrance, helping recognize and reward the work of local growers while strengthening the region’s agricultural ecosystem. In the longer term, Amouage and IFF hope the initiative will position Jabal Akhdar as a global benchmark for perfume‑grade rose cultivation. LMR brings its scientific expertise to this value chain by focusing on transparency, quality, and giving back to local communities. It is a virtuous initiative, says Sabrya Meflah.

While the first production batches will be reserved for fragrances developed by IFF for Amouage, the ambition is to use the Omani rose in formulas where its character can be truly felt. It is not about claiming an ingredient only to use a trace amount in a formula, says Renaud Salmon. Instead, the goal is to support the local economy, enrich the industry’s creative palette, and firmly establish Jabal Akhdar on the global map of fragrance ingredients.