Babylon

Babylon, inspired by Penhaligon's Babylon (2019)

Babylon opens with a little sweetness laid over dry spice, saffron giving a leathery, almost honeyed tone and nutmeg a dusty one. Coriander seed adds a citrusy lift that keeps the start from feeling heavy. Underneath sits cypriol, the root of an Indian sedge with an earthy, smoky woodiness. Over time the spice recedes and vanilla absolute rounds out the cedar and sandalwood.

About the original

Penhaligon's released Babylon in 2019 as part of its Trade Routes collection. At launch it was presented as an oriental built on Eastern spices and anchored by sandalwood and vanilla. The brand's own key notes are cypriol, a saffron accord and sandalwood. No perfumer has been confirmed by a reliable source.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Penhaligon's stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Wearers who already enjoy saffron scents will find this one rounded and comforting rather than austere. The vanilla is noticeable, so those who avoid sweetness in woody fragrances should know it is there, though it never reads as a dessert.

Related scents

• Penhaligon's Cairo
• Penhaligon's Constantinople
• Penhaligon's Halfeti Leather

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Notes: Saffron, Nutmeg, Coriander, Cypriol, Cedar, Sandalwood, Vanilla Absolute

Saffron and nutmeg come first, with coriander giving the spice a faintly citrus edge.

Cypriol and cedar take over in the middle, earthy and dry, with a thread of smoke.

The base is sandalwood and vanilla absolute, smooth and gently sweet.

Is Babylon sweet?

Mildly. Vanilla absolute sits under the spice and the brand describes a sweetness over the spice, but the woods keep it from turning gourmand.

How does Babylon compare with Cairo?

Both belong to the Trade Routes collection. Cairo centres on Damascena rose with saffron and patchouli, while Babylon has no rose and leans on spice, cypriol and sandalwood.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Penhaligon’s and Babylon are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Penhaligon’s in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.