Best Black Saffron by Byredo Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

Cuirs (French for leather) is redolent with nostalgia for a bygone era of artisan ateliers, where pipesmoke filled the air fusing with the scent of freshly tanned leather.

In the heart of Cuirs you have warm noble woods: complex oud, dry cedar and creamy gaiac infused with saffron.

The drydown is a beautiful array of smoky resins and woody materials with a sweeter edge: labdanum, patchouli and tonka.

Ombre Indigo in an incense perfume with many layers. There is the sharp dry opening of petitgrain, soft sweet tuberose next and leathery saffron in the drydown.

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.

It is the energy of myth and the elegance of the garden that inspire a refined and vigorous essence.

Bergamot and juniper berries become full-bodied on a carpet of incense, fading into the persistent fascination of oriental wood.

The presence of a marble Hercules in the garden of the perfumer’s house, triumph of courage and immortality, elevates to myth the creations of Agatho and the Giardinodiercole becomes a perfume.

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

The Nero collection

“Sacreste comes out from the study of another perfume that I have been trying to realize for eight years. Two years ago I received a trial fragrance by Luca Maffei which was characterized by an incense note I really like. We have been working on that note, finishing it and making it sensual until we arrived at the final project, that I completely love.”

Roberto Drago, LO's owner

In Fauno ancient fires reflect off the bronze statures of Roman deities depicting Bacchus feasting in company of fauns, satyrs and nymphs.

The perfume is a smoky echo of the Pompei mysteries lit with torches, perfumed with spicy incense and fragrant herbs.

Rake and Ruin, the second chapter in Beaufort’s revenants series. The story is not about a particular historical figure but rather it’s about a typical character from 17th century: a rake, short for rakehell or hell raiser (a man, an aristocrat who was habituated to immoral conduct, womanizing, debauchery, drinking, gambling, duels and so on).

Ruin as in “mother’s ruin” which was a nick name for gin in 18^th century. Etymologists still debate as to the origins of this expression.

So from this new perfume one can expect debaucherous smoke, gunpowder, a bouquet of aromatic herbs, fresh woods, leather and animalic vibes.

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The Sniff on Rake and Ruin:

"This is liquid smoke in a scent. Think whisky by a bonfire, think winter nights burning twigs in the garden, think cordite and excitement and peeling your clothes off afterwards to find that the smell of the fire’s breath has stuck to your skin. Yes, Rake and Ruin nods towards debauchery, but it’s the smell of the bonfire that really holds true."

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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.

Vigorous choreography around the featured dancer, French centrifolia rose. This clear and honeyed rose is given spice with saffron and oomph with oud, resulting in a compelling contrast between delicacy and strength. Beautifully diffusive and long-lasting, this is a bright and deep rose/leather that brings pleasure to all within smelling distance.