Fragrances inspired by Blue Talisman Eau de Parfum
The original
Blue Talisman
Ex Nihilo
The two side by side
Our verdict
Editor reviewedWhat they share
Every one of its 10 notes is in the original, including Orange Blossom, Cedar, Ginger
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Every one of its 9 notes is in the original, including Orange Blossom, Cedar, Ginger
The main difference
Without ambroxan
What they share
Shares 7 of its 10 notes, including Orange Blossom, Musk, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds akigalawood and ambroxan, drops amber and mint
Our verdict
Blue Talisman (Ex Nihilo) and The Blu Talassim (Alexandria Fragrances) share woody, fresh spicy DNA, but diverge significantly in their accord profiles.
What they share
Shares 3 of its 8 notes, including Cedar, Musk, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds amber and incense, drops akigalawood and ambroxan
Choose The Blu Talassim when
You want a bold, unisex fragrance for all seasons.
Our verdict
Blue Talisman leans feminine and is polarizing; some find it a compliment-getter, others synthetic.
What they share
Similar overall composition based on olfactory analysis
The main difference
Adds cardamom and incense, drops akigalawood and ambroxan
Choose Taj 2 when
You want a stronger, longer-lasting scent.
What they share
Similar overall composition based on olfactory analysis
The main difference
Adds cardamom and incense, drops akigalawood and ambroxan
What they share
Shares 9 of its 10 notes, including Orange Blossom, Cedar, Ginger
The main difference
Adds orange, drops mandarin
What they share
Every one of its 10 notes is in the original, including Musk, Bergamot, Cedar
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Scent profile
How we judge a match
We score each pairing on the two fragrance profiles: shared accords, overlapping notes, longevity and projection, and the occasions each suits. A good inspired-by scent captures the original's character rather than copying it molecule for molecule.
The full method, and what to look for in a dupe. Prices are UK retail and change often. Check before buying.
Inspired-by fragrances. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by Ex Nihilo. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.