Aramis Perfume Calligraphy Saffron

What does saffron smell like? For those that have eaten decadent Iranian puddings or even Indian chicken dishes, the smell of saffron is very subtle. It is unlike anything else: a bit sweet, musky and comforting.

When choosing a saffron scent, one would have to pay attention to the most nuanced of smells. I have been on the lookout for a good saffron perfume for years, but have not found the "perfect" one.

Seeing the beautiful calligraphy on the triple offering of Perfume Calligraphy from Aramis, I was instantly mesmerized. There is the original Perfume Calligraphy, Calligraphy Rose and the latest addition, Calligraphy Saffron. Having to choose only one, I went with the unsniffed Saffron because of the scarcity of good saffron perfumes as well as my fondness for the actual spice, if you can call it that.

Calligraphy Saffron is just as subtle as the spice. It opens with a surprising bright note, probably marigold. When I first sprayed it, the color yellow came to mind. That impression stays for a while and is joined by pleasant spiciness. This is not cumin or pepper but a very soft and languid spice note. Obviously, this is the part that smells the most like saffron.

The official notes are bergamot, marigold, saffron, rose, lavender, styrax, tonka bean and vetiver.

The drydown arrives rather fast and Calligraphy Saffron becomes a skin scent. I had to overspray myself on skin and clothes to get the pleasant atmosphere this perfume provides. As the picture demonstrates, I used up a lot of the perfume on my first day, but that is not a problem because the 100 ml bottle goes for $125 on the Neiman Marcus website. This is a very reasonable price in niche terms.

The bottom line is that I love the calligraphy, the saffron note and the wooden bottle top. This is not an Eastern quality perfume but its subtlety attracts. You can easily wear this any time of year, day or night. I would spray my clothes and sheets with it too, since it is not too strong for sleeping in. Overall, I am happy with my Saffron.