Oriental perfumes combine spices (cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, clove), resins and balms, often with leather, tobacco, patchouli or vanilla. The result is warm, dense and long-lasting, with a sillage that gets noticed. They are generally kept for evenings and the colder months, but a few lighter compositions in this selection also work during the day.
The collection includes Isra & Miraj by Stéphane Humbert Lucas, cinnamon, nutmeg, heliotrope and oud, €265 for 50 ml; Feu Patchouli by Maison Rebatchi, from €30 for 9 ml; Cuir Tassili by Maison Rebatchi, black pepper, iris, myrrh and leather, from €30 for 9 ml; Nanban by Arquiste, with Malabar black pepper, saffron, coffee and incense, €205 for 100 ml; Coup d’Etat by Miles Wambaugh, €240 for 75 ml; and Tabac Rouge by Phaedon, ginger, honey, cinnamon and tobacco, €155 for 100 ml.
These fragrances need to be smelled on skin: the Sayhar boutique, 27 rue de Marignan, Paris 8th, carries the whole selection. From home, the Scent Matchmaker shows which ones best match your taste.
Looking for a particular ingredient? Browse our selections by note too: incense perfumes, leather perfumes, tobacco perfumes, saffron perfumes, cognac, rum and whisky perfumes, rose perfumes and honey perfumes.