Best Scandal Gold by Jean Paul Gaultier Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Scandal Gold by Jean Paul Gaultier is a chypre fragrance marked by a rich interplay of honey, saffron, and cardamom, layered over a warm, leathery base with vetiver, jasmine, rose, patchouli, and sandalwood. Its composition balances sweet, spicy, and earthy accords with an opulent and sensual character. Those seeking fragrances in this vein should consider the balance of honey and saffron combined with leather and floral elements, which define its distinctive allure.
Živeli by Boka £179.17
- Key notes:
- brandy
- honey
- leather
- mandarin
- plum
- saffron
- tobacco
- tonka beans
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- fruity
- woody
“Živeli” (ZHEE-vuh-lee) is a common Serbian toast used to wish good health and a long life. In this extrait, a juicy burst of plum brandy melts into a leathered tobacco, encapsulating a celebratory night out with friends. Giddy joy is further fluffed by cherry and raspberry notes, while the leather aspect is warmed by honey, saffron and labdanum.
This composition is 24% parfum concentration, with 70% natural ingredients. Capped in Mexican Riviera Gray marble in a delicately etched glass bottle.
Moth by Zoologist £166.67
- Key notes:
- ambergris
- cinnamon
- gaiac / guaiac wood
- heliotrope
- honey
- incense
- orris (iris root)
- rose
- saffron
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- woody
Perfumer: Tomoo Inaba
Rich and gothic Moth starts with a heavy dose of dark spices to jolt your senses before settling into a dusting of honey-sweet rose and powdery florals. Slowly, it tests its wings, taking flight on an exotic journey of nagarmotha, guaiac wood and patchouli. Beneath it all lingers a smoky undertone that serves as a constant reminder to fluttering creatures of the danger in the tantalizing flame.
Kamel Oud by Sora Dora £141.67
- Key notes:
- animalic notes
- cade
- cardamom
- cumin
- elemi
- gaiac / guaiac wood
- leather
- oud
- saffron
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
- woody
Kamel was the friend who entrusted Sora Dora founder Antoine with the secrets of the oriental olfactory universe, embodied in this namesake perfume. Built around the clean woodiness of Laotian oud, this extrait contrasts the dirty spice of cumin with sweet raspberry and syrupy rose. Smoky and spicy, Kamel Oud will enhance your next 1001 days and 1001 nights.
El Caminante by Otzlab £200.00
- Key notes:
- black tea
- cardamom
- honey
- orris (iris root)
- plum
- tonka beans
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
El Caminante, Spanish for “the wanderer”, is a nomadic fragrance that pays tribute to the flâneur’s stroll, the urban pilgrimage in search of self-knowledge. This extrait is an invitation to travel, to seek experiences, thanks to the propulsive cadence of Ceylon black tea and a lightly smoked suede. The experiences along the way include cardamom and saffron, with fruity nuances of dried plum, date and honey. Luxurious iris absolute adds depth, accompanied by vetiver, sandalwood, tonka bean and labdanum.
Perfumer: Mathilde Bijaoui
Genesis by Brandt £154.17
- Key notes:
- leather
- rose
- saffron
- sandalwood
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
- woody
A wet and moody rose unfurls its dark petals, releasing the ancient aphrodisiac of saffron, along with bitter/fresh cassis. Javanol, an aromachemical summoning a rose-inflected sandalwood, creates the powerful sillage. Natural sandalwood and a warm tobacco ground the fragrance, adding depth and richness. Kashmir Fusion rounds out the velvety effect with its woody amber-musk.
L'OR DE LOUIS by Arquiste £195.83
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- chypre
- honey
- jasmine
- orange blossom
- orris (iris root)
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- vintage/old school
Olfactory opulance conjures the Palace of Versailles in its heyday when Louis XIV and his Court would amble the Grand Orangery to delight in the flowering orange trees warmed by bonfires. This is a bright orange blossom with a warm, woody background, with notes of orange blossom absolute, pomegranate, honey and firewood smoke.
The Serpent’s Orchard by Pictura Fragrans £138.33
- Key notes:
- animalic notes
- fig
- honey
- jasmine
- lactonic nuance
- myrrh
- nettles
- Aromagroups:
- fruity
- vintage/old school
- woody
In a garden long unguarded, where fig trees ripen past reason and the perfume of crushed blooms rises from the warm ground, Eve returns to Eden, empowered. The Serpent’s Orchard is a heady surge of wine and rose, honey and myrrh, jasmine and sandalwood. Look out for the snake among the figs.
Stone Cap: 100% peacock quartz
Ombre Indigo by Olfactive Studio £116.67
- Key notes:
- benzoin
- incense
- leather
- saffron
- tuberose
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- woody
Ombre Indigo in an incense perfume with many layers. There is the sharp dry opening of petitgrain, soft sweet tuberose next and leathery saffron in the drydown.
- Key notes:
- incense
- kyphi
- labdanum
- leather
- mineral accord
- petrichor
- saffron
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- unconventional
- woody
The third volume in the Revenants series takes inspiration from the works of architect Nicolas Hawksmoor (1661-1736) whose foreboding structures define London's urban landscape even today.
Hawksmoor - referred to as ‘the Devil’s architect’ - continues to provoke interest for his distinctive churches, which introduced elements of Egyptology into traditional ecclesiastical settings. These curious architectural details, and his recent reputation as a Freemason has prompted speculation that occult symbolism influenced his methods, and imbued his designs with an inherent ‘terror and magnificence’.
By contrasting darkness with invigorating complexity, perfumer Pia Long has combined a vivid olfactory impression of the man, his works and his myth. Accords of Somalian Incense, dry woods and wet stone meld with opium smoke, papyrus and kyphi, underpinned by a base of Haitian vetiver and precious resins.
The product’s packaging bears a representation of Hawksmoor’s celebrated work – Christ Church Spitalfields in East London.
Honey and Tar by Anna Zworykina £79.17
- Key notes:
- birch tar
- castoreum
- honey
- leather
- smoke
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- leather
- woody
A rich, smoky blend of honey, tar, vanilla and incense.
The perfumer leaves the perfume plot sketchy - to be completed by your imagination. Are you in your autumn apiary watching honey trickle into jars, smoke lingering in the air from bonfires of fallen leaves? Are you on the well-tarred deck of a merchant ship carrying huge barrels of honey? This beautiful, smoky fragrance will definitely take you somewhere.
Starring
(these fragrant materials reanacted the Honey and Tar story):
castoreum tinctura
benzoin absolute
birch tar essential oil
Himalayan cedarwood essential oil
sweet myrrh essential oil
vetiver essential oil
guayak wood
agarwood essential oil
Atlas cedarwood essential oil
jasmin sambac absolute
hops CO2
lavender absolute
patchouli essential oil
cardamom absolute
tonka bean absolute
vanilla CO2 extract
orris root CO2 extract
Vanuatu sandalwood essential oil
Royal Hawaiian sandalwood essential oil
Important notice:
Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).
Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.
However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.
Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.
About Scandal Gold by Jean Paul Gaultier
- What makes Scandal Gold different from these similar fragrances?
- Scandal Gold uniquely combines honey, saffron, and cardamom with a balanced leathery, floral, and woody base including vetiver, jasmine, rose, patchouli, and sandalwood. While the fragrances here share some of these notes, none replicate the exact composition or balance of Scandal Gold’s chypre signature.
- Are these fragrances suitable for both day and evening wear?
- Many fragrances listed offer versatile profiles, combining sweet, spicy, and leathery notes that can work for day or evening. However, some lean more towards smoky, animalic, or intense accords, which may be preferred for evening wear depending on personal taste.
- How important is the honey note in relating these fragrances to Scandal Gold?
- Honey is a key note that contributes to the sweet, rich character central to Scandal Gold. Fragrances sharing honey tend to evoke a similar warmth and gourmand aspect, making it a significant element when comparing scent profiles.









