Best Minérale by Maison Alhambra Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

Inspired by the forces that created both the basalt rock formations of the ‘Giant’s Causeway’ on the coast of Northern Ireland and in neighbouring Scotland were employed in the shipyards on the banks of the Clyde. Pyroclasm (trans: broken by fire) explores the idea of the intense heat and pressure needed to create the basalt ‘rivets’ of this natural phenomenon and the similar forces involved in fastening the hulls of iron ships.

Moonlight on wet cobblestones. A bottle of white wine in the pocket of a suede coat. White flowers and kissed skin. Cherries and cigarette smoke linger on warm hair. The punks are in charge.

Macabre fantasy of decadent shadows and drama, unfolding from a fresh salty breeze to the deep dark underwater with blurry black tones, exuberant flora and a binding touch of wood.

Lids for Dead Air are made by hand from imperfectly beautiful charcoal encapsulated in epoxy resin resulting in unique shapes and shades, each is one of a kind — a true masterpiece.

Master perfumer
Mark Buxton

Narcotic tuberose, a favourite of Marie Antoinette, amped to heady heights here by ylang-ylang with added saffron intrigue. This voluptuous floral is bold but not shrill, thanks to the grounding of suede, papyrus, patchouli and cashmere wood.

Perfumer: Serge de Oliveira

An addictive and sophisticated gourmand balancing almond marzipan and suede leather inspired by Medieval Andalusia, the city of Córdoba and almond sweets. A must try for gourmand lovers.

The third volume in the Revenants series takes inspiration from the works of architect Nicolas Hawksmoor (1661-1736) whose foreboding structures define London's urban landscape even today.

Hawksmoor - referred to as ‘the Devil’s architect’ - continues to provoke interest for his distinctive churches, which introduced elements of Egyptology into traditional ecclesiastical settings. These curious architectural details, and his recent reputation as a Freemason has prompted speculation that occult symbolism influenced his methods, and imbued his designs with an inherent ‘terror and magnificence’.

By contrasting darkness with invigorating complexity, perfumer Pia Long has combined a vivid olfactory impression of the man, his works and his myth. Accords of Somalian Incense, dry woods and wet stone meld with opium smoke, papyrus and kyphi, underpinned by a base of Haitian vetiver and precious resins. 

The product’s packaging bears a representation of Hawksmoor’s celebrated work – Christ Church Spitalfields in East London.

Andevalo was born under the blazing sun of western Andalusia. A land where cistus shrubs exude a thick, resinous gum saturated with heat and light. This extrait is built around a trio of labdanum extracts, expressing their full ambery depth. Strawberry CO₂ extract, along with raspberry and black cherry accords, bring a pulpy, sensual brightness, quickly absorbed by supple leather and mineral warmth. Enveloping dark woods and patchouli leave a dense and long-lasting trail of smoke and dark sweetness.

Perfumers: Coralie Spicher and Fabrice Pellegrin 

“Živeli” (ZHEE-vuh-lee) is a common Serbian toast used to wish good health and a long life. In this extrait, a juicy burst of plum brandy melts into a leathered tobacco, encapsulating a celebratory night out with friends. Giddy joy is further fluffed by cherry and raspberry notes, while the leather aspect is warmed by honey, saffron and labdanum.

This composition is 24% parfum concentration, with 70% natural ingredients. Capped in Mexican Riviera Gray marble in a delicately etched glass bottle.

Still Life in New York is a perfume built on contrast: cozy and warm notes are set against cool and fresh materials.

The photo for this smellscape was taken by an artist who only shoots cities in the snow. She might be trying to capture that feeling of being snug while it’s snowing heavily outside.

The perfume design is toying with the same idea. Cozy warm notes of saffron, leather, smoky birch tar and vetiver are highlighted by a generous portion of cool clary sage and violet leaf.

The perfume feels like standing by a window in winter to peep at the falling snow and being able to feel both the cold ambiance coming from the glass and the warmth of the house in the background, the fireplace, steaming tea and cashmere blanket.

Perfumer: Jérôme Epinette

Photographer: Vivienne Gucwa

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The Sniff on Flash Back in NY:
"Imagine that you are walking along a city street in the winter. The air is cold, crisp, making your lungs tingle as you breathe it in. You’re wrapped up nice and warm but the end of your nose is cold. Up ahead is a youth in a battered leather jacket smoking a marijuana cigarette and you get a second-hand whiff of it as he exhales a plume of smoke. That’s exactly what this perfume reminded us of."

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This fragrance is inspired by love, drama and opulence of the famous painting by P. P. Rubens and the legend of Samson and Delilah. Osmanthus Noble is intense and has a strong personality and notes of Osmanthus, Ylang Ylang and Jasmine absolute flowers, spicy tobacco, warm amber and sandalwood.

At opening you can feel fresh, spicy and aldehydic notes blended with bergamot and mandarin that give vividness and intensity.  The noble osmanthus absolute combined with an aromatic clary sage play together to form a soft suede accord. Tobacco absolute, delicious black cherry, saffron and tonka beans play an important role in creating a sensual atmosphere. Floral notes of jasmine sambac and ylang-ylang give vitality and bloom in the heart. In the dry down, oakmoss absolute, labdanum, sandalwood, smoky vetiver and animalic musks bring a spiritual feeling and allow the perfume to linger on the skin.