Sultane

Sultane opens with the same aromatic handshake that made Parfums de Marly Haltane a favourite - a herbal snap of clary sage and lavender lifted by bright bergamot. The heart brings a spicy-sweet saffron and praline accord that closely echoes the original's gourmand-oud pairing, before settling into a base of oud and dry cedar. Where it falls short of Haltane is longevity and complexity: the real Haltane builds a smoky leather-patchouli-vetiver base that lingers for ten-plus hours, while Sultane's version is noticeably flatter and fades within a few hours on skin. Projection is decent for the first stretch but this is best treated as a taste of the Haltane experience rather than a true stand-in for an all-day wear. A solid budget option for anyone curious about the modern oud-gourmand category before committing to the designer original, best suited to cool-weather evenings and more formal occasions.