Malabah by Penhaligon's

Best Malabah by Penhaligon's Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

Malabah by Penhaligon's is an oriental spicy fragrance that balances zesty citrus and warm spices with a floral and woody heart. Its bright lemon and black tea notes mingle with aromatic coriander, cardamom, and ginger, while nutmeg and amber add depth. Rose and orris provide a powdery softness, complemented by sandalwood and musk for a smooth, lingering finish. Those drawn to complex spice blends with a fresh yet warm character will find this composition distinctive.

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1
White

White by Comme Des Garcons £100.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £5.00
  • Key notes:
  • cardamom
  • cinnamon
  • cloves
  • coriander
  • lily-of-the-valley
  • marigold
  • nutmeg
  • rose
  • Tags:
  • #beast
  • Aromagroups:
  • spicy

White is a bright and lively fragrance built around the friction between hot spices and suave florals. The cinnamon, clove and cardamom opening suggests candied red hots, which makes it all the more surprising when the melange of rose de Mai and lily of the valley softly asserts itself. The undertone of tagete, with its bitter herbalness, keeps White from getting too “pretty-pretty”.

2
Cinematic

Cinematic by Der Duft £110.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £5.00
  • Key notes:
  • cardamom
  • carnation
  • cashmeran
  • ginger
  • lemon
  • white musk
  • Tags:
  • #clean
  • Aromagroups:
  • spicy
  • unconventional

A collaboration with Miguel Matos.

Clean, abstract and intriguing. Is it the smell of the new velvet seats in a dark cinema? Or the conditioned cool air? Or the fragrant echoes of trendy perfumes floating in between the spectators?

Cinematic is put together from an overdose of clean white musk, crisp hazy cashmeran, dry savory spices and a few drops of bitter carnation essence.

3
005 Riviera Absolue

005 Riviera Absolue by Bon Parfumeur £185.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £4.00
  • Key notes:
  • bergamot
  • black tea
  • cardamom
  • ginger
  • neroli
  • tomato leaves
  • Tags:
  • #aftergym
  • #beast
  • #fresh
  • Aromagroups:
  • citrusy
  • marine

The Riviera. The Mediterranean fills the horizon. You’re driving along a coastal road with the roof down, feeling free. In this extrait, lemon caviar, zesty ginger and icy cardamom puts jut in your strut, while tomato leaf, neroli and black tea summons an aromatic dance. Frankincense and cypriol offer shade in the sunshine.

Perfumer: Paul Guerlain

4
Lignum Vitae

Lignum Vitae by Beaufort £125.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £6.00
  • Key notes:
  • amber
  • caramel
  • gaiac / guaiac wood
  • ginger
  • lemon
  • oud
  • sea salt
  • vanilla
  • Tags:
  • #sweet
  • Aromagroups:
  • edible
  • woody

Inspired by the innovative use of materials that allowed 18th century clockmakers to construct the first truly accurate marine chronometers, Lignum Vitae combines elements of wood, metal and salt to produce a truly unique, transportive fragrance. Lignum vitae itself is an incredibly dense wood - the only wood which is guaranteed to sink in water - which is indigenous to the Caribbean and the north coast of South America. The brand’s nautical theme is enhanced wonderfully by caramel, a madeleine cake accord and a cool winter lemon note which provide a truly unique gourmand experience akin to smelling warm shortbread, muffins or cupcakes.

In combining unexpected and exotic raw materials, Beaufort London celebrates the innovative spirit which brought to an end the search for lost time, and permitted the safe passage of ships across the world.

***

The Sniff on Lignum Vitae:

"An innovative gourmand fragrance with a masculine slant, Lignum Vitae by Beaufort London is something rather unexpected. And who doesn’t love a plot twist?"

Read full review

5
Beso Pasión

Beso Pasión by Beso Beach £145.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £6.00
  • Key notes:
  • amber
  • blood orange
  • cardamom
  • fig
  • ginger
  • musk
  • vetiver
  • Tags:
  • #fresh
  • #sexy
  • Aromagroups:
  • fruity
  • green
  • woody

Perfumer: Jordi Fernández (the nose behind the white floral wonder of Latin Lover).

Beso Pasion is like a sweet summer breeze caressing a Mediterranean island. A breeze infused with sea salt, the delicious aroma of fig trees, and fragrant grass cured by the hot sun.

6
Santal

Santal by Floris £100.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £5.00
  • Key notes:
  • amber
  • black pepper
  • cardamom
  • cedarwood
  • cloves
  • frankincense
  • nutmeg
  • sandalwood
  • vetiver
  • Tags:
  • #clean
  • #fresh
  • Aromagroups:
  • spicy
  • woody

Santal takes its inspiration from a Sandalwood fragrance originally created in the 1800s which has then been given a distinctive contemporary edge.

7
El Caminante

El Caminante by Otzlab £240.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £12.00
  • Key notes:
  • black tea
  • cardamom
  • honey
  • orris (iris root)
  • plum
  • tonka beans
  • Tags:
  • #savory
  • #sexy
  • Aromagroups:
  • leather
  • woody

El Caminante, Spanish for “the wanderer”, is a nomadic fragrance that pays tribute to the flâneur’s stroll, the urban pilgrimage in search of self-knowledge. This extrait is an invitation to travel, to seek experiences, thanks to the propulsive cadence of Ceylon black tea and a lightly smoked suede. The experiences along the way include cardamom and saffron, with fruity nuances of dried plum, date and honey. Luxurious iris absolute adds depth, accompanied by vetiver, sandalwood, tonka bean and labdanum.

Perfumer: Mathilde Bijaoui

8
Broceliande

Broceliande by Sora Dora £170.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £7.00
  • Key notes:
  • bergamot
  • ginger
  • lemon
  • sesame
  • styrax
  • Tags:
  • #fresh
  • #savory
  • Aromagroups:
  • citrusy
  • spicy

Brocéliande is a bewitching concentrate inspired by the enchanted forest of Arthurian legend. Combining the power of the forest with the magic of the animal world, this extrait’s bergamot and lime opening leads to an unexpected wander through ginger, cinnamon and iris. A whisky sweetness rubs up against the velvet leather of civet and castoreum.

9
Esprit de Contradiction

Esprit de Contradiction by Maison Matine £60.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £4.00
  • Key notes:
  • cedarwood
  • cloves
  • ginger
  • lemon
  • sage
  • Tags:
  • #clean
  • #fresh
  • Aromagroups:
  • aromatic
  • citrusy
  • spicy

Aromatic sage, coriander and black pepper combine with mandarin and lemon for laid-back sophistication. Vetiver and musk give it muscle, while orris provides lean, refined woodiness. 

 

10
Montabaco

Montabaco by Ormonde Jayne £295.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £10.00
  • Key notes:
  • ambergris
  • black tea
  • cardamom
  • clary sage
  • iso-e-super
  • juniper
  • sandalwood
  • tobacco
  • Tags:
  • #sexy
  • Aromagroups:
  • green
  • spicy
  • woody

An ornate tobacco leather with a hint of intoxicating tobacco bloom, as well as fresh leaves.

Montabaco is part of the Four Corners of the Earth collection and represents Latin America, the land where tobacco originated.

The perfumer conjures the original jungle encounters between natives and the sailor-explorers (who were totally oblivious to the magic of tobacco at that point). This is a novel interpretation of a tobacco-themed perfume, invoking lush green shadows full of parrot cries, mysterious blooms, and adventure.

The elixir is also exceptionally concentrated, at 42%. Hence the 'intensivo' in the title.

About Malabah by Penhaligon's

What makes Malabah by Penhaligon's distinctive among oriental spicy fragrances?
Malabah combines a fresh citrus opening with a complex heart of spices and florals, including black tea, rose, and orris, which is complemented by a warm woody and musky base. This layering creates a balanced oriental spicy scent that is both vibrant and smooth.
How do the fragrances on this page compare to Malabah in terms of note composition?
Each fragrance shares some key notes with Malabah, such as cardamom, ginger, amber, or black tea, but differs by emphasising other supporting notes or adding new accords like caramel, musk, or herbal elements. These variations result in distinct scent profiles that range from fresher and cleaner to sweeter or more resinous interpretations.
Is there a fragrance here that captures Malabah's black tea and orris notes specifically?
El Caminante by Otzlab shares both black tea and orris (iris root) with Malabah, making it the closest in replicating those particular aspects of the original’s powdery floral and tea accords.