Best Oud Ispahan by Dior Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Oud Ispahan by Dior is an oriental fragrance characterised by a smoky blend of incense, myrrh, and sandalwood, enriched with floral notes of rose and jasmine. Its warmth and depth come from the harmonious interplay of resinous smoke and rich woods, creating a complex yet balanced aroma. Those drawn to this scent should focus on fragrances with prominent incense, sandalwood, and floral elements that provide a similar smoky and resinous character.
Berbera by Nissaba £150.00
- Key notes:
- black pepper
- elemi
- incense
- myrrh
- pink pepper
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
The finest gum extracts from Somaliland — frankincense, myrrh and opoponax — combine in this resinous and sophisticated scent. Berbera is a powerful woody amber suitable for layering, as is common in the Middle East, as well as a standalone manifesto. Opoponax brings nuances of leather and old wood, myrrh swirls in a cola note, and frankincense soars high and dry. A charred-around-the-edges fragrance to uplift your soul and deepen your mystique.
Osang by Mendittorosa £315.00
- Key notes:
- fenugreek
- frankincense
- heliotropine
- honey
- incense
- labdanum
- myrrh
- oud
- pepper
- peru balm
- sandalwood
- szechuan pepper
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- spicy
- unconventional
- woody
‘All the soarings of my mind begin in my blood’
Rainer Maria Rilke
***
A perfumed celebration of saints and superstitions, centred around a fierce fenugreek absolute note lavished with singed pyrazines, sacrificial myrrh and mournful molten honey poured over everything like amber rain. Meadow blooms, sticky dark resins, pungent balms and ashen clouds of iris swirl like dramatic weather.
Moth by Zoologist £200.00
- Key notes:
- ambergris
- cinnamon
- gaiac / guaiac wood
- heliotrope
- honey
- incense
- orris (iris root)
- rose
- saffron
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- woody
Perfumer: Tomoo Inaba
Rich and gothic Moth starts with a heavy dose of dark spices to jolt your senses before settling into a dusting of honey-sweet rose and powdery florals. Slowly, it tests its wings, taking flight on an exotic journey of nagarmotha, guaiac wood and patchouli. Beneath it all lingers a smoky undertone that serves as a constant reminder to fluttering creatures of the danger in the tantalizing flame.
Feu Sacre by Reserve en Afrique 1934 £150.00
- Key notes:
- incense
- sandalwood
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
From the profound darkness of the bush, a magnificent bonfire burns. Like a guardian the fire protects, holding back the wilderness beyond. The fragrance opens with clove (Madagascar) and pink pepper (South Africa), reminiscent of bright embers dancing on the fire. It heats into a heart of comforting vanilla (Madagascar) and resinous myrrh (Ethiopia), deepening into sensuous opoponax (Somalia) and sandalwood (Somalia).
Réserve en Afrique eaux de parfum feature responsibly sourced naturals, and are free from parabens, phthalates, UV filters and colorants. Their natural alcohol base is derived from beetroots, and they are a PETA-listed vegan & cruelty-free brand.
SMOKIN' GUN by BORNTOSTANDOUT £160.00
- Key notes:
- cedarwood
- incense
- juniper
- oak
- sandalwood
- smoke
- whisky
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- woody
Love around the campfire. Heavily peated, spiced scotch in the wet woods
PERFUMER
FLORIAN GALLO
Suze by Boka £215.00
- Key notes:
- ambrette seeds
- amyris
- black tea
- clementine
- gaiac / guaiac wood
- jasmine
- magnolia
- sandalwood
- smoke
- spearmint
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- floral
- vintage/old school
- woody
“Suze” (SOO-zeh) translates to “tears” in Serbian.Tears may not have a physical scent, but they release an emotional essence that lingers in the air like an unspoken perfume. This emotional extrait is a strange swirl of spearmint and ghostly flowers: pale jasmine, magnolia and lily-of-the-valley. Orris butter upholsters the complexity, while a solemn base of benzoin and fossilised amber grounds the experience.
This composition is 25% parfum concentration, with 88% natural ingredients. Capped with Spanish Nero Marquina marble in a delicately etched glass bottle.
Ember Shaan by Byermia £130.00
- Key notes:
- chocolate
- coffee
- gun powder
- incense
- oud
- rose
- sandalwood
- tobacco
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
“Shaan” is a Sanskrit name meaning greatness and majesty. The perfumer intertwines the name with the legend of the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose, the conquering leader whose final battle was foretold by the oracles. Ember Shaan is a fragrance that shifts and evolves, reflecting the concept of victory intertwined with sorrow. With a variety of ouds and frankincenses, this extrait explores how a bright fire fades into a smouldering ember, while also deepening into something more profound. Coffee, rose and sandalwood combine their rich effects into an olfactory syrup that infuses the woods, while spicy opoponax and stony gunpowder add punctuation and surprise.
- Key notes:
- buddawood
- cassia
- frankincense
- incense
- rose
- sandalwood
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- woody
BAROSSA VALLEY
LUTHERAN SETTLERS
Stone Steeples, Sacred Oils
PEWS OF GUILT
Tolling Bells, Thou Shalt Not
ANCIENT VINES
Swirling Incense, Whispered Confessions
FORGIVENESS MINE
Bread, Wine
Scent: Ancient, Spiritual, Woody(rich), Fresh, Balsamic
Soul Of My Soul by Etat Libre d'Orange £240.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- incense
- orris (iris root)
- rose
- sandalwood
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
The Orange Extraordinaire collection.
How many beautiful incense fragrances do we need? At least one more.
Presenting Soul of My Soul, a soft cloud of smooth sandalwood, creamy sweet rose, powdery fresh orris root and vanilla.
Inspiration:
“He breathes into my ear
until my soul
takes on His fragrance.
He is the soul of my soul –
How can I escape?
But why would any soul in this world
want to escape from the Beloved?”
Rumi
Tears On Mystic Sands by Mystikum £190.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- freesia
- incense
- rose
- sandalwood
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- vintage/old school
- woody
This fragrance evokes the bittersweet beauty of love lost and longed for. The complex sweetness of lychee and davana lead into the plush pleasures of rose oil, oud, leather and musk, sharpened with incense. The poetry of memories.
Perfumer: Mark Buxton
About Oud Ispahan by Dior
- How does Oud Ispahan differ from these similar fragrances?
- Oud Ispahan combines smoky incense and myrrh with warm sandalwood and floral notes of rose and jasmine, presenting a balanced, resinous oriental profile. Many fragrances listed focus on either sweeter, fresher, powdery, or more animalic interpretations, so Oud Ispahan remains distinctive for its specific blend of smoky resins and florals.
- What notes should I focus on if I like Oud Ispahan?
- Look for fragrances that emphasise incense, sandalwood, and smoky elements, combined with floral notes like rose and jasmine. Myrrh and resinous notes also contribute to the warm oriental character found in Oud Ispahan.
- Are these fragrances suitable for both day and night wear?
- Most of these fragrances have a smoky, oriental profile that tends to be richer and more suited to evening wear. However, some incorporate fresher or lighter notes, making them versatile enough for daytime use depending on personal preference.









