Best Chandigarh Express by Ex Nihilo Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Chandigarh Express is an oriental woody fragrance combining spicy and citrus top notes of cardamom, mandarin, and bergamot with a rich heart of leather, fir, and ylang-ylang. Its base blends vetiver, mahonial, benzoin, jasmine, tonka, and patchouli, creating a warm, complex, and slightly resinous trail. Those drawn to deep, spicy woods with a fresh citrus edge and a floral, balsamic undertone will find elements to explore here.
Mora by Wolf Brothers £130.00
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- fir
- hemp
- incense
- leather
- pepper
- petrichor
- thyme
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- green
- leather
- spicy
- woody
Perfumer: Cyrill Rolland
An interpretation of the winter solstice brightening into spring, the whisper of growth beneath the melting snow. The cold twang of grapefruit sparks against the heat of Szechuan pepper, while geranium’s complex rosy-minty profile deepens the rawness of hemp, vetiver and leather.
Bel Air by Molinard £65.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- bergamot
- jasmine
- mandarin
- white musk
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- fruity
- spicy
A floral flight of a thousand fragrances from the Pays de Grasse.
Bel Air, in a contemporary interpretation, exalts the most exquisite flowers of Grasse in a sumptuous, luminous bouquet.
A fragrance in which Centifolia rose, jasmine, tuberose, iris, violet, and mimosa bloom sensuously, eternally. A genuine jewel of light, the bottle is a faithful replica of its predecessor, now tenderly tinged with coral. Bel Air, inspired by an idyllic garden, enchants the eye and heart with its petite pastel flask that radiates intensely bucolic beauty.
Marcelle by Marie Jeanne £110.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- jasmine
- lemon
- mandarin
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- woody
Perfumer: Michèle Saramito
A new addition to Bloom’s portfolio, an elegant cologne with sweet sun kissed citruses, honeyed neroli and amber background.
With classic formulas it’s the quality of the ingredients that matters. Marie Jeanne might be a new perfume house, but it’s founded by a young perfumer from a family connected to Robertet for several generations.
Robertet is a bit like De Beers of the fine natural perfume materials - matières premières, for decades they have been dealing with the finest, purest and most precious stuff a perfumer can dream of.
This is Marcelle, a classic elegant cologne but with highly likely the best bergamot from Italy, grapefruit from Spain, neroli from Tunisia and petigrain from Paraguay among other notes in the formula.
King Cobra by Zoologist £200.00
- Key notes:
- camphor
- cannabis
- cumin
- damp earth accord
- leather
- mandarin
- petrichor
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
Intoxicating aromas of exotic greenery infuse the ancient Indian forest. Yet a snake on the trail of its next meal can isolate the scent of a plump rat. But a flick of its slithering tail betrays the snake, sending the rodent darting away. Thwarted, the snake curls back upon itself, only to feel the cool touch of a menacing shadow of a towering King Cobra witnessing its failure. Now the predator becomes prey and there’s no escape. Intent on a breakfast devoured whole and without mercy, the hooded king strikes. Fangs sink deep, their venom coursing through the body of the snake. Instantly paralyzing heart and lungs, the toxins set to work dissolving the flesh from the inside out.
King Cobra from Zoologist is driven by danger and a desire to dominate. It hypnotizes with camphorous notes of Ganja and petitgrain, radiating coils of aromatic spices and damp mossy soil around a body heavy with incense. Finally, after shedding a delicate green leather, the powerful king ascends to his throne. A coronation of scent, King Cobra gives you license to rule.
Perfumer: Prin Lomros
Iris Poulsard by Danner & Flemming £280.00
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- cinnamon
- cocoa
- mandarin
- orris (iris root)
- raspberry
- Aromagroups:
- vintage/old school
- woody
Named after a very old native red grape variety from the French Jura, this sophisticated gourmand iris is built on an exceptionally high concentration of Bavarian iris germanica. This iris glows with woody and fruity-floral notes — and hints of cocoa and coffee. The effect is enhanced with essential oils of cedar wood, green mandarin and cinnamon absolute, resulting in a luxury treat that feels indulgent and comforting at the same time.
Perfumer: Antoinie Lie
Shifumi | Rock Paper Scissors by Maison Matine £115.00
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- cedarwood
- grapefruit
- mandarin
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- woody
Step out into the world clean-with-a-sheen thanks to the dewy freshness of this smile-bringer. The initial grapefruit/mandarin kick opens up into creamy magnolia and tart apple, underscored with woody vetiver and cedar.
Marcel by Marie Jeanne £110.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- rosemary
- vetiver
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- citrusy
- woody
Perfume: Karine Vinchon
A new addition to Bloom’s portfolio, an elegant cologne with herbaceous and woody undertones.
With classic formulas it’s the quality of the ingredients that matters. Marie Jeanne might be a new perfume house, but it’s founded by a young perfumer from a family connected to Robertet for several generations.
Robertet is a bit like De Beers of the fine natural perfume materials, for decades they have been dealing with the finest, purest and most precious stuff a perfumer can dream of.
This is Marcel, a classic elegant herbaceous cologne but with highly likely the best bergamot from Italy, ylang-ylang from Madagascar, vetiver from Haiti and patchouli from Indonesia among other notes in the formula.
Jasmin & Ylang by 100BON £35.00
- Key notes:
- benzoin
- frangipani
- jasmine
- vanilla
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- floral
A sweet fragrance with floral and balsamic notes that comforts, transports and illuminates. Its exceptional bouquet envelops us in softness and transports us to an eternal summer.
Perfumer: Serge de Oliveira
"I wanted to imagine the quintessence of floral elegance. This precious flower opens with a radiant freshness, before revealing a smooth and delicate heart. Over the hours, the note becomes comforting and enveloping, an invitation to savor each moment of calm before the world comes alive."
303 Marbre Rouge (Red Marble) by Bon Parfumeur £175.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- benzoin
- chilli
- incense
- pink pepper
- tolu balm
- vetiver
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
The fusion of the Taj Mahal's cold marble and its surrounding garden. Marbre Rouge brings the flowers inside the palace walls. Initially spicy, the fragrance warms up around cardamom before revealing its ylang-ylang heart. The amber notes of benzoin and Tolu balsam leave intensely sensual scents on the skin.
Perfumer: Sidonie Lancesseur
Latin Lover by CARNER £150.00
- Key notes:
- benzoin
- bergamot
- jasmine
- magnolia
- narcissus
- Aromagroups:
- floral
A pretty honeyed floral with some ambery background. Magnolias, violets, jasmine, ylang-ylang are all in the bouquet thrown on satin blanket of white musk and Siam benzoin.
The Sniff on Latin Lover by Carner:
"The [opening] florals recede into a pretty, flowery fug in the base of the scent, still heady, still very flowery, sweet and powerful, but the notes become less discernible from one another. The warmth remains and, at times, this perfume just really smells like sunshine on naked skin. On a cold, drizzly Yorkshire day this is indeed a joyous thing!"
About Chandigarh Express by Ex Nihilo
- How does Chandigarh Express compare to these similar fragrances?
- Chandigarh Express combines spicy cardamom and fresh citrus with rich leathery and resinous notes, creating a complex oriental woody scent. The similar fragrances share some of these elements but vary in focus; some emphasise fresh citrus or floral notes, while others lean towards smoky, earthy, or sweet accords.
- What are the key notes in Chandigarh Express?
- The fragrance features cardamom, mandarin, and bergamot at the top; leather, fir, vetiver, ylang-ylang, mahonial, benzoin, and jasmine in the heart; and tonka and patchouli in the base.









