Best Oud Vendome by Ex Nihilo Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Oud Vendome by Ex Nihilo offers an oriental woody experience that balances the warmth of saffron and musk with the sharpness of galbanum and ginger. Cedarwood and incense provide a smoky depth that anchors the fragrance. Those drawn to this scent will appreciate compositions combining spicy, woody, and resinous elements with a refined musk undertone.
Arabesque by Ormonde Jayne £162.50
- Key notes:
- musk
- oud
- rose
- saffron
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
Arabesque takes you on a journey through the enchanting and mystical Middle East by way of flowers, fruits and woods entwined together. Inspired by the most beautifully carved arabesque's of Islamic art. A heart of rose and jasmine absolute dance together to create a sense of well-being and serenity while patchouli and oud transports you to another world.
Sacreste by Laboratorio Olfattivo £100.00
- Key notes:
- cashmeran
- cedarwood
- incense
- labdanum
- saffron
- Aromagroups:
- woody
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
Copper by Comme Des Garcons £129.17
- Key notes:
- amber
- galbanum
- ginger
- metallic notes
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- green
- spicy
A high-contrast fragrance: metallic/vegetal, bitter/sweet. Copper opens as a galbanum bomb: the sap of the Persian perennial producing its characteristic grassy bite. Copper elicits strong impressions: from “peas growing in a sun-baked greenhouse” to “a cashmere scarf permeated with cigarette smoke”, with the unifier being “comforting”, due to its soft path to a faded tobacco-vanilla drydown.
Pergola by Exaltatum £108.33
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- fougere
- galbanum
- ginger
- green grass
- hay
- lily-of-the-valley
- Aromagroups:
- green
Pergola opens with the most incredible rush of twisted green vegetation and instantly transports you back to the heyday of that decadent walkway. There is so much happening in here but the notes of galbanum, bergamot, and ivy are particularly spectacular. The floral heart is a swooning blend of narcissus, tuberose, and jasmine but the pergola’s passage of history is provided by an earthy pairing of patchouli and vetiver. You get a real impression of its heritage from touches of resins and moss and, whilst it’s described as a fougere, there is definitely a feeling of the most glorious aromatic chypre.
Divine Dancer by Exaltatum £108.33
- Key notes:
- champaca
- galbanum
- magnolia
- musk
- rose
- sandalwood
- violet
- violet leaf
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- vintage/old school
I was inspired while visiting Kew Gardens in London in May. Every May there are hundreds of blooming magnolia trees in different sorts, sizes, scents and colours. Usually it is a very rainy season and my inspiration was to create a scent of the water and rain on magnolia trees.
The symbol of this modern perfume is an American modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis. She is not only a very talented performer, but also very feminine.
Divine Dancer is an ethereal, watercoloured, light, fresh, feminine floral perfume. It is modern and vivacious fruity floral scent .
The Divine Dancer perfume is dedicated to one of the first American modern dance and ballet performers Ruth St. Denis.
Her vibrant and spirited art of dance, influenced by the East and South Asia, her divine body move and incredible costumes made Ruth St. Denis a worldwide well known star. Her body projects as Temple of femininity.
When the dancer emerged from the darkness of the stage, her presence was immediately captivating, the air suddenly fragrant with her appearance. Adorned in jewels from head to toe, radiant in a special gold sari, her hair crowned in jasmine, she is an embodiment of divine feminine, mirroring the images of goddesses of Lakshmi and Saraswati but with the talented Ruth St. Denis touch of modern dance and ballet movement.
Beso Pasión by Beso Beach £120.83
- Key notes:
- amber
- blood orange
- cardamom
- fig
- ginger
- musk
- vetiver
- 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.
Pyroclasm by Beaufort £104.17
- Key notes:
- cade
- cedarwood
- mineral accord
- saffron
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- woody
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.
Revolucion by CARNER £125.00
- Key notes:
- cedarwood
- leather
- orange blossom
- saffron
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
This is your fragrant revolution, embrace it! A scent to inspire and spark imagination, where leather meets soft florals and ozonic tones. The saffron brings warmth while violet leaf conjures a suede-like feeling and incense offers a spicy woody nuance. Heads will turn as the delectable and seductive diffusion creates an atmosphere creativity and fortitude.
Woodoo by Reserve en Afrique 1934 £125.00
- Key notes:
- cedarwood
- cypriol
- frankincense
- ginger
- incense
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
In this jungle, nature holds absolute power. Vines coil overhead, hiding the sky. Darkness drapes the woods, and every shadow conceals a predator. The perfume jungle that is Woodoo opens with notes of Nigerian ginger, along with Somalian olibanum, with its facets of vibrant green incense, fresh citrus, peppery spice and balsamic woods. Powdery iris and balsamic cistus lurk in the heart. The complexity deepens with a furry base of musk, benzoin, tonka bean and cypriol. Subtly powerful.
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.
Secret Fig Affair by Mystikum £158.33
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- cedarwood
- cypress
- fig
- galbanum
- pepper
- Aromagroups:
- fruity
- green
- spicy
This is a beautifully rounded fig on the mellow end of the spectrum. Bright bergamot, cardamom and galbanum open the fragrance with confidence, leading into a smooth fig accord layered with iris, cypress and soft floral nuances. The earthy, woody base glows with subtle musk.
Perfumer: Ralf Schwieger
About Oud Vendome by Ex Nihilo
- What makes Oud Vendome unique compared to these similar fragrances?
- Oud Vendome is distinctive for its balanced blend of saffron, galbanum, ginger, musk, cedarwood, and incense, creating an oriental woody fragrance that combines spiciness, smokiness, and muskiness harmoniously. Some of the similar fragrances may emphasize floral, fruity, or smoky notes more strongly, resulting in different scent profiles.
- Can I expect a lighter or heavier scent compared to Oud Vendome from these fragrances?
- The fragrances listed vary in weight; some like Pergola and Bataille offer fresher, lighter interpretations, while others such as Woodoo and Pyroclasm present heavier, smoky, and beastly profiles. Consider your preference for freshness or intensity when choosing.
- Are these fragrances suitable for both day and evening wear like Oud Vendome?
- Many of these fragrances can be versatile; however, those with smoky, leathery, or beastly characteristics, like Woodoo or Pyroclasm, may lean more towards evening wear, whereas fresher or floral options like Pergola and Divine Dancer may suit daytime use better.









