Perfume Calligraphy Saffron

This fragrance is absolutely outstanding! I had just managed to track it down and was actually looking to test the popular Rose one in this calligraphy range but somebody had broken the tester bottle the day before, according to the SA. So I thought I'd try the saffron considering it's one of my favourite notes and I had recently revisited Jo Malone's saffron which is very good. Calligraphy saffron is a tale of two halves.. Horrendous opening. Majestic drydown. When I say 'horrendous' I mean strong, sharp, earthy but sweet and even boozy. I found it smelled strongly of the marigold and styrax and when combined with a very real, fiercely strong saffron comes over a little like honey. Actually more accurately beeswax and amber and I thought....'oh no! It's MFK pour le soir like.' Then as it settles the saffron and styrax get more creamy, more opulent, less earthy but still with balance and luckily this process is fairly quick. This being said the transition is long going from good to great on my skin. Some may not like the soft skin like scent it becomes after that powerhouse opening but I'm glad of it. Projection is subtle but longevity is very good. I can't convey how much I loved the drydown, it's incredible...saffron is just magic.

Perfume Calligraphy Saffron is what falls into a category that I've created: the crepuscular fragrance. It is the olfactory metaphor for a caliginous sky, mysterious and somewhat cabalistic. The opening curiously has a saturated herbal facet that reminds of the top notes in Aromatics Elixir. I agree with LuluSaintly that there is the impression of chamomile throughout, perhaps imparted by the marriage between the marigold and lavender. The saffron seems more so to play a supporting role rather than the lead; it is certainly evident, but being that saffron tends to be a bold personality when not dosed judiciously, it seems that the perfumer took care for it not to bury all other components. It is actually refreshing to have it appear for once somewhere where it isn't playing second fiddle to oud. The rose is a cameo that ties together all else like an accent. The dry down is all about the interplay between styrax and tonka, dusky, plaintive yet warm and enveloping into the night. Its puzzling why mediocre releases prevail and unheralded treasures such as this are discontinued so abruptly not long after their release. Such are the whims of the perfume industry.

@sam Idh, Yes I would agree with your comments that Estee Lauder instead of altering the notes which might of cheapened the line they discontinued it. I am also of the mind that if there isn't enough of profit it would not make good business sense to continue losing money. If Estee Lauder raised the price slightly more to offset the cost in producing this line we would all be able to buy this amazing juice. Now about this phenomenon juice, I ordered another bottle for back up. When I spray this juice on my skin, the aroma of saffron mixed with floral notes and tonka beans and styrax giving this juice depth with a warm sweet creamy aroma. There's a smig of woodsy notes perfectly balancing the overall aroma. Personally,I enjoy using this juice during the fall and winter months. Longevity and Silage is superb lasting well past 8hrs Finally thoughts, Whether Estee Lauder discontinued the Calligraphy collections due to not enough profit or they didn't want produce quantity vs quality..we'll never really know. One thing is for certain we all lost an AMAZING fragrance

I want to drink this and pour it over my head at the same time. Both the Saffron and the Rose were blind buys and both are so beautiful (and neither smell like fruitchouli or cake) and unique (to my Western cupcake-infested nose), they stop me in my tracks. This may sound like a stupid question, but why would Estee Lauder bring out such a beautiful line and then so quickly discontinue it? Or is this normal behavior for corporations of this size? I knew nothing about the Calligraphies until they were recently recommended to me by other Fragranticans. The Rose seems to be a bit easier to find; the Saffron I had to order from Canada. I am grateful to have been able to get them before they disappear completely. Thank you all for your very helpful reviews.

This is an amazing perfume! I kinda wish it was a person so that I could speak to it, I know that sounds wierd but that's how much i love it. It's a friend, it's a confidant. I want to bathe in it, drink it in and wear it all at the same time. The initial spray was very "alcohol" smelling but within seconds that dissipates and gives way to a woody, armatic and full bodied Saffron. After about an hour it seems to lift off the body and float in a cloud around you where you only really smell it if a little breeze hits you or you pass an open doorway. But if you've been wearing it and you leave a room, you will know you were wearing it when you walk back in. It's not an overpowering knowing, just a tickle of hello I've been here...

The sticky sweetness of this reminds me of eating raw honey. I know it’s not listed, but that’s all I can smell! A chunk of honeycomb or a cup of chamomile tea that was very generously sweetened. It’s yummy, sticky, sweet florals with a more chill, spicy drydown. The strong strong honey note in the beginning slowly wears down to something really warm, still sweet but less overwhelming, and spicy. The same gorgeous blending of saffron and rose that Calligraphy Rose does, but a touch different and less floral. I worried that I’d be overwhelming anyone near me with the strength of that initial honey bonanza, but then it dries down so beautifully that it eased my fears completely. Could easily be worn by any gender!

Holy Moly!! This is amazing juice!! First spray was not what I had expected-I could smell that non-descript perfumey smell which I do not like. Then just minutes later....heaven!! Its very warm and spicy and the saffron is just delicious. The rose is soft and smooth and not the pushy broad she can be in so many other perfumes. The dry down is spectacular with warm spices and tonka. I do get a "Thanksgiving/Christmas" vibe from this but not in a cheap, cheesy, holiday in a bottle kind of way. I don't think I am doing this perfume any justice with my review but if you enjoy saffron and soft spices and have the chance to sample this jump on it! Silage and longevity are very good as well.

Surprised not one person has compared this to vintage Calvin Klein Obsession for men!? Not sure why Amber isn't in the notes Pyramid? The Aramis has a more subtle opening but really not much difference between the two. Put them on at the same time and while there are some subtle differences, there isn't enough for me to like one more than the other. Pretty sure this has been discontinued, but I don't feel anyone is missing out on this one. I'd pick Vintage CK Obsession for men over this, but if you can get the Aramis for a reasonable price then it is worth the buy granted you don't already have Obsession. Happy smells to you!

FYI...Estee Lauder has discontinued the Calligraphy line. If you want any of the Calligraphy collections and you live in the US, there's a programme called Gone but Not Forgotten. You can order up to six pieces (each) of a product that has been discontinued within the last 36 months. Call 1 (800) 216-7173. UPDATE; I had ordered a bottle from Estee Lauder's GONE but Not Forgotten programme. I just received an email that it's no longer available. Lucky I easily found both Calligraphy and Rose on EBay. I now received them both and abousotley love wearing them. Hope you do as well

A surprisingly bracing oriental, with a fairly medicinal note floating above sweetness of the styrax and Tonka bean. There's an interesting animalic note deep in the base that reminds me a bit of oud, although I don't see any listed. This is also a surprisingly dry oriental, reminding me of resinous but dusty plants in a near desert. A great, complex oriental for people who tend to find orientals a bit overwhelming. Solidly unisex, interesting without being over-the-top, another winner from the Aramis's sadly defunct Perfume Calligraphy line. Grab it while you can!

at first this is dry and a bit musty, i think it's marigold and styrax but am ultimately unsure. it's warm, dry, dusty and a bit sweet. the tonka is quite dominant in this on me and becomes more so over time. then it just becomes a cloud of tonka with saffron. so warm and comforting, perfect for the cold winter months.

Just did a blind buy of this and am really glad I took a chance on this one. For me it was reminiscent of Amber Mystique, particularly in the beginning, which is interesting given that it's big advertised note is saffron and not amber. Either way, I love it (as I do Amber Mystique) and would happily recommend.

Very very similar to calligraphy Rose but much better I believe. Same heavy beast mode middle eastern feel w a wonderful rose. Calligraphy Rose has a note in it that smells bad to me. Saffron is calligraphy Rose without that bad note. Wonderful !!!! Discontinued so buy one before it’s too late

This wonderfully pleasant stuff has been discontinued for how long now ? And yet is still available at reasonable prices ? Hard to guess how long that will continue to be the case. I began with a decant, and then bought a full bottle. Well worth looking into if you enjoy saffron fragrances.

Discontinued, and supplies at the discounter sites, where it used to be common and reasonably priced, seem to have all but dried up. Wonderfully comforting stuff, so if you've been sitting on the fence about making a purchase, you may want to grab it while you can.

Man this is some good stuff. The opening had me a little worried but the middle and that dry down is pure bliss. Some say it's not that wearable but I think it is. 9/10 - easy

I got this for a really great price. First let me say I love it. I will be wearing this in the winter! Since I work from home I will test this out around the house.

Don’t mean to over post but the dry down has a striking vibe / resemblance to Dior Homme parfum

This is nice. Spicy warm rich raspy. Excellent for fall and winter.

I was at Harrods and had the idea that I wanted a very saffron-forward fragrance. The sales person suggested this fragrance. However, this isn't really primarily a saffron scent. There is a blast of marigold in the opening, which might make you think this scent is rather feminine. Bear with the fragrance, however, and things eventually move back to being very much unisex. This process begins as bergamot cuts through the marigolds. Later, some lavender appears along with a rich iteration of saffron. There is also a lovely rose that is neither too sweet not bone dry. Oddly, the rose is one of the masculine elements in this fragrance. Aramis Calligraphy Saffron is a fragrance that was targeted principally at the Middle-Eastern market (although it did turn up at a couple of stores in London, Bergdorf Goodman and some Neiman Marcus stores) & in Middle-Eastern perfumery, rose is often used in men's fragrances. The basenotes add vanillic tonka bean and stryax, with its frankincense odor. These basenotes anchor the scent rather firmly in the Middle-Eastern realm, but it is not a challenging scent for Western noses. Of course, even though saffron isn't the star here, I bought a bottle. I love the way the saffron and rose weave together here. Usually, there is oud interacting with this combination of notes, but here, the absence of oud serves to highlight how grandly saffron works with rose. This fragrance is right down the middle of the road unisex when considered in its totality. Projection is considerable and longevity is extended. The bottle, with its Arabic script and golden color is attractive and the atomizer is of high quality. Recommended.

Discontinued yes and to buy this today, it cost me £121/$160. I'm a big house of Aramis fan and I paid that much simply to put this one in my huge Aramis collection that I have. Pricey yes, but it does balance itself out overall as I've picked up some hard to get ones for decent prices. As for Aramis Saffron, I have to admit it's a pleasent enough scent but there are better smelling Aramis fragrances. The opening is very nice indeed and quite potent that last for about an hour then it settles down. The silage becomes greatly reduced and becomes a skin scent after about 5-6hrs. The longevity is about average but no beast by far. I give this an 8 out of 10 overall. Was it worth spending that much money? I would yes, only because I'm a fan of the house. If I were not then no way would I pay it, you'd be crazy to do so! One thing is for sure, I'll be using it on only on special occasions and quite sparingly! A thumbs up for sure on this one, but it's sad how exploitation plays it ugly part! 👍🤗!!

I was expecting the same type of performance from Calligraphy Rose but this does not deliver as mentioned previously. It's more of an intimate/romantic scent. Perfect for cuddling up on a windy cool October night while binge watching Orange Is The New Black with your partner/spouse or whatever. Not a safe blind buy but still a scent that can be valuable in anyone's wardrobe. This one could have been named PC Marigold as it is the more prominent note on my skin. I think more women will like this over the guys just do to the softness of it to be honest. I was gifted a decant and now I must return the favor.

Not as the name suggests. This is not a classic saffron smell. It's a woody, spicy, & floral scent. Saffron, while there, is not the most prominent note. Earthy, dry, honey- & dirt-like styrax is. Then there is a soft, floral & spicy accord. This floral spiciness is powdery yet lively, a bit like YSL La Nuit de L'Homme's cardamom. There is a hint of dry fruits, too. Like in TF Tobacco Vanille. It's a likeable scent but far from being a center-stage-saffron scent Mature, cool weather wear. Big "like"

Honey, pollen, some marigold....makes me think of fresh mead with yellow wildflowers. When I first spray this I also get an idea of something purple hiding within the golden yellow fragrance, if that makes any sense. Pretty close to Calligraphy Rose without the rose and less sweet. Dosen't last as long as CR as well but works good for those saffron/honey cravings.

This smells like a fresher version of Amouage Epic woman. This is about a step away from being pickle like but doesn’t go there. It’s also similar to Ta’if by Ormonde Jayne but this rose is very faint. There is something about saffron and rose that intrigues me. What I mostly smell is saffron and sandalwood. It’s wearable.

This is a gorgeous juice! I own the other two Aramis calligraphy and this certainly lives up to the rest of the line.The marigold is lovely and constant throughout,the opening is spicy with the saffron, it settles down to a powdery,skin scent with a light woodsy aroma which I enjoy very much.

Such a pity this is discontinued, because if it were readily avail. I'd buy a couple bottles. To me it is an absolute 'cold clime' scent. In my Summer it would be too overwhelming. In Winter it would be perfect as it is a 'warming from the inside' type of smell.

sweet, Indian spices of saffron or cumin with a vanilla and tea vibe; don't get any rose in this; smells like calligraphy rose with the saffron and cooking spice instead of the rose

I must have been in a market with lots of saffron because this reminds me so much of India, it's lovely. Really similar to the Calligraphy Rose.

Oh dear yet another blind buy disaster,when will I learn!! I had already tried the Rose Calligraphy and didn't like it but having read the reviews for Saffron Calligraphy I thought I would give it a try...... The opening on me was exactly the same as Estée Lauder's Amber Mystique, very loud, smelt like cough syrup but with a metallic undertone. After approx 20 mins the fume had mellowed somewhat but still smelt hugely 'medicinal' on my skin, after 45 minutes all I could smell was metallic rose... Couldn't stand it any longer and had to scrub it off, definitely not for me.

Same fragrance, different day... different viewpoint! I have a confession to make: today I have had a crucial meeting where I needed to be the bad cop, and tell them where to stick it... anyone who knows me, can tell you this doesn't come to me naturally. As I never leave the house without fragrance, I had to strategically pick a scent. There was a possibility of experiencing a really unpleasant situation, so admittedly I thought why not use something you are on the fence about, that's creating an olfactory kick ass barrier and which I would be happy to sell on and make some money if I was to associate the scent with a bad memory. So I went and doused myself in Calligraphy Saffron. Willing to let it go in case the meeting went belly up and left a bad aftertaste... As it happens, most fears in life dissipate when the actual situation is faced. I felt strangely elevated and warmly hugged by my bittersweet saffron buddy, and in hindsight it was a perfect fragrance for the task! As for the initial objective, I am afraid I have fallen in love with this tough cookie again --- I mean the fragrance !! (Sorry, but the kicking ass did happen to plan. No romance, no concessions, no prisoners taken... I was the baddes cop possible hehe.) In fact, I would say this fragrance benefits from overspraying a bit. Do not judge it by one spray on your wrist. Go mad and be prepared to fall in love,or out of love. Don't expect everyone to follow your scent trail... you may suddenly realize you are walking off the beaten track. You are worth it. If you feel like it, wear it. Period.

Incredibly Golden! My personal favourite among the Calligraphy line. I really liked Calligraphy Rose, but this is something else! Pure Gold. Extremely pleasant soft ambery-floral, with a warm pollen-esque feel throughout. Pointless for me to review it in detail - Colin Maillard has done a wonderful job of that, as always. Calligraphy Rose was beautiful and rich, but a little on the louder side for me. But here the whole thing is very restrained, while still being as rich and incredibly golden. Just a well-mannered sibling of the same blue-blooded lineage . It's a very personal perfume - as others have mentioned, something for close encounters. Hats off to Estee Lauder for releasing something this "niche" at a really honest (designer) price. (People need some perspective.) Anyways, now that this line has been discontinued, grab these if you get a chance before they disappear for good. 9/10

I was on the fence about this fragrance, initially I felt disappointment as it came across rather one dimensional. Like honey with saffron and beeswax or so... I know these notes are not in here, but there was a sticky sweet thing going on I find hard to describe. Today I have been wearing it again, layered with Aramis Calligraphy Rose and I find it much more enjoyable. Actually it seems to be very good for layering. This morning I suddenly had a recollection that this reminds me a tiny bit of L'Occitane Immortelle de Corse (which I love but had to give away due to a skin reaction), and I don't seem to be the only reviewer with this association. All in all, this ain't bad at all but I find it becomes complete with the addition of another fragrance, be it rose, oud, incense or something similar. Suhaesa has given me brilliant ideas in the layering thread, thank you!

I agree with lalalala2046 in that this starts out like super-sweet honey and camomile tea. After a while, it becomes quite aromatic and austere as the heady, pollen like sweetness dies away a bit. The honey note stays but far less distinctively and the dry saffron note become more prominent. It is quite masculine at this stage but soon after this, the rosy note comes through. It is much less sweet and full compared to the rose in Calligraphy Rose, but it blends beautifully with the saffron and the honey-like marigold, wearing softly for the rest of the journey. This leans more masculine than CR but still unisex, and good for colder weather.

This is amazing juice! I hate a blind buy failure but this one was a true success! The fragrance is delightful! I am thrilled to say that after several hours it is still wafting around my body and pleasing my nose! I highly recommend you take a chance on this if you can. I am not schooled enough to describe and distinguish different notes but I can speak to what smells good! This is one of those fragrances that smells unique and is worth having in your collection! I wish I could bathe in it! I also have the Rose version but I think this one is better in that it is more unusual. I love this fragrance and am happy to own a fb of it!

Aramis Callligraphy Saffron really is a powerful, strong and long lasting fragrance. I love the smell but way just too powerful for me to bear. On the day I received my full size bottle, I was so happy and went crazy with multiple sprays, on my arms, back of my ears, neck, stomach etc. Soon I realized that the scent is uber strong and I should never have it worn the entire body. All and all, Aramis Calligraphy Saffron really is a high quality perfume, and it is worth every single penny spent, unless a woody, middle-east inspired perfume is not your cup of tea.

LOVE-AT-FIRST-SNIFF......... My "type" of fragrance. Opens with bergamot...then the marigold/saffron..styrax. Lavender/tonka for balance and a touch of vetiver. The rose is present...but not IMO the major player in this. I find this warm,a bit boozy and balsamic...and woody aromatic vibe too. Projection is pretty major on my skin. Now I need to try Calligraphy Rose next. I have "slept" on trying the Calligraphy line until now A very happy/pleasant surprise ...!!

I’m glad to have blind bought this, it’s interesting in an intense, oriental way. Sillage and longevity are brilliant. The saffron is dusky and dances around the rose which emerges a little later and lingers on the skin. Recommended if you like fragrances with strong and distinct personalities which last the distance. PS I also wore this layered with Paul Smith’s Rose which lightens and freshens it, whilst giving Rose a strong oriental foundation.

Hmmm, This was a bit of a disappointment. I really enjoyed Calligraphy Rose aside from the rose which is the one note I hate. I was hoping that this would be like CR but with a more acceptable top note. Sadly though, the middle phase of this frag is a very one note synthetic smelling saffron which did nothing for me.

This is definitely unisex. Smells a little bit sweet at first then for a brief moment (thankfully!)it goes bitter - that's about ten minutes in. After that it sweetens up just a little and I get a spicy almost oudy scent. FYI it doesn't smell anything like Immortelle de Corse, which is way more boozy and honeyed.

I have a small decant/sample of it (got in one of the swaps). Really like it, oriental spicy incense, I am in the mood for this these days, even though it's still pretty hot. But it disappears practically within minutes. So no FB buy, just finishing the decant and enjoying the few minutes it gives me.

A lovely Oriental fragrance, more camomile than saffron, with plenty of incense and very strong and long-lasting. It is perhaps a little harsh and unsubtle: I often wear it to go out to lunch as a base layer under Safran Troublant, which is more beautiful but hopelessly fleeting.

Opens dry, spicy and a bit sour, but then quickly settles in to a soft spicy floral with honey-like sweetness. Not nearly as masculine or strong as I thought it would be. A gentle marigold saffron scent. I have a bottle up for swap, if anyone is interested.

I like this but it’s not a love like Calligraphy Rose for me. The dry down is similar but but I miss the dusty Turkish delight rose. It’s nothing like Obsession for me which was my signature from 1989 to 1999 and I still wear it often.

I like this relatively new line (in terms of bottle design - such artistic use of Arabic calligraphy). I haven't tried any of it yet, but I am really interested in Saffron Aramis. Would love to get a hold of it some how.

عرب در بیابان ملخ میخورد سگ اصفهان آب یخ میخورد بهترین نوع زعفران؛ پسته و...با نام ایران معنی میگیرند نه عرب Arab eats grasshopper in dessert Esfans Dog drinks icywater

This is nice...it is not as strong as the rose version,but l love it any way....l layer it with Bvlgari mon jasmin noir and its heavenly...Y'll should try it.

This is a honey BOMB! Holy moly- one spray on the back of my hand, and the smell is enormous. Looking forward to trying this out in cooler weather.

I have tried it last week. Fantastic scent definitely unisex. But unfortunately not up to the mark longevity after 1 hour it is skin fragrance

I am returning to work after vacation and there is notthing more refreshing than a saffron traditionally know to lift the gloomy mood