CardamomOpens with
MilkHeart
LeatherDries down to
Alex LeeThe nose · 18 fragrances · also made Gold Myrrh Absolute (2021)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Penhaligon's · Sold as feminine
Paithani
A cozy study filled with old books and leather-bound journals where the warmth of cardamom and nutmeg mingles with the rich scent of aged wood and rose.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
PaithaniPremium · $100–250
46%Similar accords, often for lessL Eau d Issey Pour Homme Or Encens · Issey MiyakeMid-range tier, $40–100 · shares 5 of its 10 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2017 by Penhaligon's and crafted by perfumer Alex Lee, Paithani is a Woody Aromatic fragrance that blends warm spices with rich leather and soft florals. The composition opens with cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper, creating an initial warmth that is both spicy and inviting. This sharpness gives way to the creamy notes of milk and rose, which add a gentle sweetness and depth. The base layers of amberwood, labdanum, and cedar lend a woody, earthy finish, grounding the scent in a subtle yet persistent way.
Apply this fragrance in layers for a more nuanced experience. Start with one spray, allowing it to settle before adding another if desired. The spicy top notes are bright but quick to evolve into the warmer base notes, so a second application can enhance its depth without overpowering.
Fig. 01 — Paithani, Penhaligon's
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Alex Lee
From playground curiosity to Mane's studioAlex Lee is a perfumer at Mane who has built a portfolio for brands including Lancôme, Carolina Herrera, and Penhaligon's.
Designer Penhaligon's
More from the house · founded 1869 · United Kingdom
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalPaithaniPenhaligon's · Premium · $100–250Issey Miyake · 2017L Eau d Issey Pour Homme Or EncensShares 5 of its 10 notes$40–100★ 4.46 (509)44%Match
Cacharel · 2000NemoShares 5 of its 13 notes$40–100★ 4.36 (569)52%Match
Zara · 2021Vibrant Leather EpiceAll 4 of its listed notes are in this oneunder $40★ 4.30 (66)43%Match
Chopard · 2024Leather MalakiShares 4 of its 9 notes$40–100★ 4.03 (175)
With Penhaligon's The Blazing Mr Sam
Adds tobacco, vanilla and cinnamon; shares cardamom and black pepper and 1 more note.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 37%, disliked or hated by 11%.