Nishane is an Istanbul house that has established a reputation for perfume extracts and a knack for storytelling through scent. It was established in 2012 by Mert Güzel and Murat Katran, and is claimed to be the first niche perfume brand in Turkey. Almost all of its works are Extrait de Parfum, and each perfume in this guide is on a shortlist of the best perfumes for men and women. As far as the best branded perfumes for men or women, or the best Turkish perfumes are concerned, Nishane is the name to know. This guide has 8 of its perfumes which are available at Fragmetics.com.
Nishane's Turkish Heritage
The name comes from the Turkish word nişane which means a mark, a sign or a symbol. Both Güzel and Katran were born in Istanbul, and they decided to create a perfume collection inspired by the city, located between Europe and Asia. They did not want to be French or Italian niche, but rather they turned to Ottoman history, Anatolian places, and Turkish folklore. In 2013, their first perfume, Sultan Vetiver, was released with perfumer Jorge Lee, and in 2015, the brand made its international debut at Esxence in Milan.
The heritage is reflected in the names. Hacivat is from a traditional Ottoman shadow play, Ani is a ruined medieval city on the eastern border of Turkey, Ege is the Aegean and Hundred Silent Ways is a line from the poet Rumi. The founders are not perfumers, but creative directors, and the compositions are from outside perfumers, like Jorge Lee, Cécile Zarokian and Christian Provenzano.
What Makes Nishane Different?
Nishane is about focus and storytelling. Most of its perfumes are Extraits de Parfum, the strongest common format, a few sprays go a long way. Every release is accompanied by a
story, be it a puppet play, a Roman myth or an Aegean breeze, and the notes are selected accordingly. The compromise is that it's expensive and hyped. Some of its most popular perfumes are hyped that some reviewers believe they are over-priced, it is advisable to sample before purchasing.
Which Nishane Perfume Made the Brand Famous?
The reputation is largely due to two names. The breakout is Hacivat (2017) and the pineapple and oakmoss fragrance is the one that most people think of when they hear Nishane. Ani was launched in 2019 and is often referred to as the bestseller and most popular vanilla in the house, created by Cécile Zarokian. Both are now available in X versions, as is another of the brand's top five sellers, Hundred Silent Ways. They show the range of the house from fruity chypre to warm spiced vanilla.
Nishane Collections
• Shadow Play (2017): three extraits inspired by the traditional Turkish shadow theatre, Karagöz, Hacivat and Zenne. Hacivat is included in this guide.. • No Boundaries (from 2019): the theme behind Ani, which was followed by Ege Ailaio in 2020.
• Prestige Collection: more luxurious and richer releases, starting with Nefs in 2019, Shem in 2021 and Mana in 2022.
• X Collection (2023): new releases of best-sellers, around the house's tenth anniversary, including Ani X and Hundred Silent Ways X.
• Collection of Miniature Art and Collection Rumi (2015 & 2016): he lines that hold Wulong Cha and the original Hundred Silent Ways.
Fresh and Green Nishane Perfumes
These three are the lightest of the three and are perfect for any man who is looking for the best men's perfumes in UAE that can withstand the heat. They are unisex, women can
wear them as well. If you are seeking a different fragrance than the mainstream designer brands, all three are worth a try when it comes to men's perfumes in UAE. If you are looking to purchase perfumes for men but you do not want to venture outside of the niche range, Fragmetics has them.
1. Nishane Hacivat Extrait De Parfum Unisex 100ml
Unisex | 100 ml | Extrait de Parfum
Hacivat put the house on the map for most people. It was started in 2017 and is named after the cultured half of the Ottoman shadow-play duo Karagöz and Hacivat. It is opened with pineapple and grapefruit, and jasmine and cedar are in the middle, while a solid oakmoss foundation prevents it from getting too sweet. It is loud, fresh and a little green, ideal for warm days and for those who wish to have a fruity chypre as a signature. Its pineapple is compared with Creed Aventus by reviewers.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Chypre, citrus, woody
• Top: Bergamot, pineapple, grapefruit
• Heart: Jasmine, patchouli, cedarwood
• Base: Clearwood, oakmoss, dry timberwood
• Ideal For: Anyone who wants a bold, fruity-fresh chypre; warm days, summer evenings and everyday wear
• Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin.
2. Nishane Wulong Cha Extrait De Parfum Unisex 100ml
Unisex | 100 ml | Extrait de Parfum
Wulong Cha is a tea-scented perfume. It's one of Nishane's earlier releases from the Collection of Miniature Art and was released in 2016, and the house calls it one of the
strongest new scents available. It starts with Bergamot, Orange, Mandarin and Litsea, and is dried with Oolong and Nutmeg, and closed with Fig and Musk. It's simple, neat, not flashy, and a natural for work days, spring and summer.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Citrus, green, musky
• Top: Bergamot, orange, litsea, mandarin
• Heart: Oolong tea, nutmeg
• Base: Musk, fig
• Ideal For: Anyone who likes clean, tea-led freshness; office days, spring and summer • Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin.
3. Nishane Ege Ailaio Extrait De Parfum Unisex 100ml
Unisex | 100 ml | Extrait de Parfum
Ege Ailaio is Nishane's homage to the Aegean, which was released in 2020, and composed by Ilias Ermenidis. It's a strange one. It opens with anise, violet leaves and yuzu, then basil, mint and cardamom in the heart and finally with licorice and olibanum. Herbal, airy and slightly aquatic, not sweet. Some reviewers describe it as a spring/summer day scent and the anise may be a divisive note, try a sample before purchasing a full bottle.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Aromatic, spicy
• Top: Violet leaves, yuzu, anise
• Heart: Basil, mint, cardamom
• Base: Olibanum, licorice
• Ideal For: Fans of herbal, airy scents; daytime wear in spring and summer
• Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin. Sweet, Floral and Powdery Nishane Perfumes
Nishane's softness is floral and gourmand fragrances. All three are unisex, but they also make great selections for the best perfumes for women in niche houses. If you're not a fan of the classic designer perfumes, they're a good shortlist of the best women's perfumes in UAE. If you're searching for women's perfumes in UAE with a true sense of style, these are great options to consider.
4. Nishane Meant To Be Seen Extrait De Parfum Unisex 100ml
Unisex | 100 ml | Extrait de Parfum
Meant To Be Seen is Nishane's quiet one and is meant to be seen, it was released in 2025, created by Jordi Fernández. The house belongs to the quiet ones, the daydreamers, the perfume fits. Violet and Bergamot start soft and creamy Orris in the middle and Sandalwood, Sesame and Clean Musks end it. According to the reviewers, it is powdery and floral, not sweet and has a skin-like finish. It's appropriate for the workplace and for dates, and for those tired of intense niche perfumes.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Powdery, woody floral musk
• Top: Violet, bergamot
• Heart: Orris butter, Moxalone, civettone
• Base: Sandalwood, ambrettolide, sesame, akigalawood
• Ideal For: People who like soft, powdery iris and violet; office days and everyday wear
• Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin.
5. Nishane Hundred Silent Ways X Extrait De Parfum Unisex 100ml
Unisex | 100 ml | Extrait de Parfum
Nishane's five biggest sellers include the original Hundred Silent Ways, which was published in 2016, and was named after a line from Rumi. The 2023 X version, developed by Anne Flipo, has maintained the peach and tuberose theme, with leather underneath the vanilla. Gardenia, iris and jasmine fill the heart, patchouli anchors it. Smooth, creamy and slightly sweet with a delicate finish. Ideal for dates, evening wear, and for anyone who likes floral gourmand.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Floral, gourmand, leathery
• Top: Tuberose, mandarin, peach
• Heart: Gardenia, orris, jasmine, heliotrope
• Base: Vanilla, leather, patchouli
• Ideal For: Fans of creamy white florals with vanilla; evenings, dates and cooler weather
• Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin.
6. Nishane Ani X Extrait De Parfum Unisex 100ml
Unisex | 100 ml | Extrait de Parfum
Ani X is the citrus uplifted version of Nishane's bestseller. Both original Ani and Cécile Zarokian's compositions are inspired by the ruined medieval city of Ani on the eastern border of Turkey. The X edition, which was released in 2023, starts with lemon, bergamot, melon and ginger, then progresses with green apple, blackcurrant and rose, and finishes with creamy vanilla and cashmere wood. It keeps Ani's vanilla fragrance and is fresher to wear year round.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Citrus, spicy, vanilla
• Top: Bergamot, lemon, watery notes, honeydew melon, cardamom, blue ginger, pink pepper
• Heart: Lavender, sage, green apple, blackcurrant, rose, patchouli
• Base: Cedarwood, cashmere wood, vanilla, ambergris, white musk, sandalwood • Ideal For: Vanilla lovers who want a fresher, citrus-led version; year-round and evening wear
• Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin. Dark, Woody and Oud-Led Nishane Perfumes
The final two are the most serious Nishane. Lean on oud, resins and woods, which will be familiar to anyone familiar with Gulf perfumery. They're unisex, but they can be one of the best perfumes for men who like their perfumes to be heavy. Whether you're searching for the best men's and women’s perfumes in UAE, these are a Turkish twist on ingredients that are already familiar to the region.
7. Nishane Mana Extrait De Parfum Unisex 50ml
Unisex | 50 ml | Extrait de Parfum
The third perfume in the Prestige Collection, launched in 2022, is named Mana, after Nefs and Shem, and the name means meaning. Fans asked for an oud and leather scent and Christian Provenzano delivered. Opens with saffron, cardamom and pepper, followed by oud, suede and Turkish rose, on resins and woods. It's rich, hot and smoky. It is described as unisex with a masculine flair, it's certainly not for the faint of heart and is ideal for cooler nights. Packed in 50 mls bottle.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Spicy, oriental, leathery
• Top: Cardamom, saffron, geranium, black pepper
• Heart: Turkish rose, castoreum, suede, oud
• Base: Cistus labdanum, patchouli, sandalwood, moss, guaiac wood, benzoin, olibanum, musk
• Ideal For: Oud and leather lovers; cooler evenings and special occasions • Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin.
8. Nishane Favonius Extrait De Parfum Unisex 100ml
Unisex | 100 ml | Extrait de Parfum
Favonius was introduced as an exclusive brand for Harrods in 2021 by Julia Rodriguez Pastor. Nishane relates it in a Roman myth in which the west wind Favonius transforms himself into a rose to win the love of Flora, the goddess of flowers. Rose in the middle,
geranium, clary sage and cypriol over oud, patchouli, sandalwood and cedar in the top. Rich, but not sweet, woody, spicy rose for evenings and cooler weather.
Fragrance Details
• Origin: Turkey (Istanbul)
• Fragrance Family: Spicy, floral, woody
• Top: Bergamot, pink pepper, incense
• Heart: Geranium, cypriol, rose, armoise, clary sage
• Base: Oud, cedarwood, patchouli, sandalwood
• Ideal For: Anyone who likes a dry, woody rose with oud; evenings and cooler weather
• Longevity: Extrait de Parfum. Nishane publishes no wear time, it varies by skin. Nishane Perfumes in the UAE & GCC
Oud, rose, saffron and incense are well known throughout the Gulf, and Mana and Favonius are no exception. Nishane also sells its perfumes in the UAE via department stores like Bloomingdale's and Fragmetics has a few of its perfumes listed in AED. The selection is influenced by hot weather. Hacivat, Wulong Cha and Ege Ailaio are the easiest to use in a UAE summer, Mana, Favonius, Hundred Silent Ways X and Ani X are more suitable for cooler months and indoor evenings. These are extraits, a couple of sprays is more enough. Are Nishane Perfumes Worth Buying?
Yes, if you prefer perfumes that are more story than designer, more daring than designer. Prices are at the luxury niche level, and some reviewers think that the most hyped releases are over-priced for the value, it's best to sample before settling for a full bottle. If you want to buy branded perfumes for men or women at this price, you can go with the X editions as they are revised versions of earlier perfumes, Fragmetics is an authorised dealer and stocks these perfumes.
FAQs
1. Where does Nishane come from?
Nishane is a house opened by Mert Güzel and Murat Katran in 2012 in Istanbul. It is Turkey's first niche perfume brand.
2. What is Nishane's most famous perfume?
Hacivat is the breakout, while Ani is often referred to as the bestseller. Both have X versions, and Ani X is mentioned earlier.
3. Are Nishane perfumes for men or women?
Both. All the perfumes in this guide are marketed as unisex, choose by style, not label. 4. What are the best Nishane day perfumes?
The lightest ones are Wulong Cha, Ege Ailaio and Hacivat, which can be used during the day. Mana, Favonius and Hundred Silent Ways X are better in the evening.
5. Are Nishane perfumes long lasting?
Nishane does not provide wear times. Most of its perfumes are Extraits de Parfum, the most potent common format, and owner reports differ from scent to skin.
6. What is the difference between Ani and Ani X?
Ani X, released in 2023, keeps the vanilla , but with more citrus, melon and ginger making it fresher than the original.
7. Where can I buy Nishane perfumes in the UAE?
Fragmetics.com features Hacivat, Meant To Be Seen, Wulong Cha, Mana, Hundred Silent Ways X, Ege Ailaio, Favonius and Ani X.
