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8.0 / 10 126 Ratings
A popular perfume by Alexandria Fragrances for women and men, released in 2022. The scent is spicy-oriental. Projection and longevity are above-average. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Spicy
Oriental
Sweet
Floral
Woody

Fragrance Notes

OudOud FigFig HoneyHoney RoseRose CedarCedar JasmineJasmine SaffronSaffron WhiskyWhisky AmberAmber CinnamonCinnamon LeatherLeather VanillaVanilla NutmegNutmeg
Ratings
Scent
8.0126 Ratings
Longevity
8.4116 Ratings
Sillage
8.2113 Ratings
Bottle
6.997 Ratings
Value for money
8.197 Ratings
Submitted by Smoetn · last update on 10/23/2025.
Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Nefs by Nishane
Nefs
Perfect Oud (Eau de Parfum) by Mizensir
Perfect Oud Eau de Parfum

Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions
NmD1990GE

28 Reviews
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NmD1990GE
NmD1990GE
Top Review 20  
Coverband
As the owner of Nishane Nefs, I had to acquire this fragrance at least as a sample, despite all my skepticism.
It took a little while, but I was finally able to test this good piece.

And well…. The similarity cannot be denied. The scent reached me at work, and I can’t wait long with new fragrances, so I sprayed it on immediately. Of course, the first comparison was only from memory, but it felt very close to Nefs.

Two days later, finally the direct comparison, Nefs on the left, Nefarious on the right.
Again, absolutely identical start.

In the first 45 minutes, you notice no difference; a loud orchestra of so many different nuances occupies my nose, it feels wild, chaotic, yet in harmony.

When both fragrances settle a bit, in my opinion, the difference emerges.

While Nefs begins to become more harmonious, like a well-rehearsed orchestra playing a symphony of so many wonderful nuances. One gets lost in dreams and simply floats on cloud nine with the scent.

Nefarious, on the other hand, is more like a cover band that has locked the Nefs orchestra in the dressing room and is trying with all its might and volume to claim the fame. It feels chaotic, not well-coordinated, and occasionally slightly forced; sometimes it even stumbles in the order of the notes, which is masked by flowers raining down from the ceiling.

Nevertheless, it finds favor; the audience is partly delighted and partly not, opinions are divided.

In my opinion, Nefarious is a very good copy; you can clearly smell the individual notes, honey, spices, floral notes, and also oud, whisky, and amber play along to some extent. The price is unbeatable compared to the original.

In terms of longevity and sillage, both are almost equal, yet for me, Nefs is the better and more harmonious scent.
However, anyone who doesn’t want to spend the money on a Nefs won’t go wrong with this really well-made copy.

0 Comments
ChrisMFK

3 Reviews
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ChrisMFK
ChrisMFK
9  
Copy and Basta
I really like Nishane Nefs, but the price is a bit beyond my expectations. That's where Nefarious came in just right. I searched for it for a long time in the Souk because I really wanted to test it beforehand. Unfortunately, the opportunity didn't arise, so I ordered a 100ml bottle from Alexandria UK, and what can I say...

As a clone, it is absolutely successful. As many have already noted, it is 90-95% similar to Nefs. It smells sweet, floral with a subtle alcohol note from the rum. So, if you like Nefs, you won't make a mistake here.
Personally, I find Nefs to be just a little better. I would compare it to the fact that Nefs is a bit more rounded. You can better perceive the individual components, while Nefarious leans more towards a "blend." But please don't misunderstand, I'm only talking about the 5-10% difference. If someone walks past you wearing the scent, you probably won't be able to tell whether it was Nefs or Nefarious.

Super successful dupe.
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ImperialDix

8 Reviews
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ImperialDix
ImperialDix
9  
Price-Performance Madness
As already mentioned, the top note is almost identical. Nefarious then develops further and becomes increasingly harmonious. I personally do not understand how one could think that the scent is only linear.
Every time I smell my wrist, I detect something different. Occasionally, a cloud of fragrance rises as I walk. Over time, this becomes finer and better. It is not a groundbreaking scent progression, but in the air, I do perceive a clear change. The scent is also very different when experienced up close versus in the air.

I have the original Nefs as a sample here and have only compared the two on paper so far. But my goodness, Nefarious comes pretty close. That's almost criminal. I find Nefarious louder than Nefs. Messier. I wouldn't be surprised if even the longevity or sillage were stronger. Everything that Nefs achieves through elegance and class, Nefarious tries to compensate for (and dupes often do this) through loudness. In the top, heart, and base notes. Everywhere, Nefarious is louder than its big brother.

If I could choose freely, I would probably always choose Nefs. No, definitely. It is certainly finer, more elegant, more regal. Just as it should be for a fragrance in this price segment. The scent should be exclusive. Nefarious now allows the average person to smell just like a king. That is quite remarkable.

In conclusion: a clear recommendation. Those who are okay with "only" wearing a Dior and want to save money while not placing value on the last 3-5% will be incredibly happy with Nefarious.
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Lucawrnr

2 Reviews
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Lucawrnr
Lucawrnr
8  
The Forbidden Fruit
Some time ago, I stumbled upon an active sharing of 'Nefarious' quite by chance, and the listed fragrance notes, as well as the (at that time very few, but extremely positive) reviews convinced me so much that I immediately signed up for the sharing of this previously unknown fragrance house. Since the scent, as I later learned, can only be ordered from the USA, quite some time has passed accordingly. Shortly thereafter, I followed the rapid rise of Nishane - Nefs among popular unisex fragrances, so when ordering samples, I also opted for the cute 2ml sizes. Of course, I was aware that, due to the proud price, I wouldn’t be acquiring my own bottle. I was also not aware of the "parallels" of the scents when looking at the fragrance pyramid of Nefs. The day came when Nefs first arrived, and then finally Nefarious, but even then, I did not notice the very similar scent. The Nefs was only sprayed once on my wrist, as it was meant to be saved for special moments and occasions. With Nefarious, it was different, especially due to the affordable price per ml, so I wore it on three consecutive days. Initially, I found both to be quite interesting and pleasant, but not a "must-buy." However, after the third day, I was more than just taken with it. A cuddly, almost gentle scent that still radiates elegance, a certain darkness, and masculinity. Like a well-told story that becomes increasingly complex and captivating. A story you can never get enough of, drawing you in completely. Even though it usually doesn’t matter to me, I received several compliments, which is otherwise not the case. I then delved a bit deeper into Nefarious and found the 'inspired by Nefs' on the official site, leading to a direct comparison of both scents.
It should be mentioned that I am actually not a fan of dupes at all. My motto is always "Honor to whom honor is due." I am happy to spend more money on the original, as I see fragrances as compositions and art that deserve to be appreciated directly from the creator. However, due to the unfortunately high price of Nefs, it is far from me to acquire it. I will be too frugal with it. The situations in which I will joyfully wear it will be too rare. The scent is so similar, and the longevity is the same. Due to the dilemma I felt afterward, the scent became my forbidden fruit. A 100ml is now on its way to me and just needs to find its way through customs. For me, the discovery of the year.
1 Comment
Waldecker

1 Review
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Waldecker
Waldecker
0  
Noble Signature
I became aware of Nefarious only through roundabout ways.
First of all, I should mention that I haven't had a chance to test it alongside the cloned Nefs yet.
My actual desire was directed towards the well-known Arabian Horse from the house of Alexandria.
However, since the shipping costs from the UK were quite high, I wanted to justify ordering it with another fragrance.
After some research, my gaze finally fell on Nefarious, which was immediately presented to me as a dupe of the highly praised Nefs.
So the decision wasn't hard: The shipping costs were now divided between 2 fragrances, and one can guess how the Nefs will smell.

The delivery itself was faster than expected, arriving in 3 days from the UK.
In my eagerness, I sprayed one fragrance on each wrist.
At first, I was surprised; did I really apply 2 different fragrances?
Both behaved quite similarly in the opening (don’t stone me for this statement),
the AH (a Herod clone) and Nefarious both start off quite festive with cinnamon and honey without being heavy or overly sweet.
Almost like a gentle Spicebomb Extreme.
Only after half an hour do the fragrances noticeably diverge; while the sweetness of fig and honey remains, the cinnamon slowly fades, and the amber keeps the sweetness in harmony.
Up to this point, the fragrance progression has likely been experienced in other corners, even though it flows very balanced between sweetness and elegance here.
Only in the drydown does it truly showcase its signature qualities.
The gourmand sweetness slowly gives way to a woody vanilla and takes on a slightly boozy quality.
Oriental spice comes more and more into play without completely stealing the show from the sweetness.
At that point, it enchanted me; I had never encountered such a nonlinear yet balanced fragrance in the drydown before.

The sillage is not overwhelming but can be perceived for up to 8 hours, especially when conversing. After that, it becomes more intimate.
For the money, you really can't go wrong here, even with a blind buy.
It doesn't hit anyone in the face too quickly without coming off as too generic or ordinary.

Now I’m just waiting for an opportunity to compare it with its master (Nefs).
2 Comments
More reviews

Statements

32 short views on the fragrance
2
Fig, saffron, honey, rose. Floral, sweet, with a soft leathery and woody base. A bit scratchy, the quality of the ingredients is quite poor.
0 Comments
30
33
Grape Sugar Rose
Complimentary Saffron
A hint of honey
The Orient likes it sweet
Melting wood
I would welcome this on women.
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33 Comments
17
7
Dreamily executed and H/S more than perfect
Honey, saffron with a hint of jasmine and vanilla
Rose in the background,
Better than the Nefs
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7 Comments
11
6
Also a rose/oud with saffron, but for me it's a bit sharp, boozier + not as harmonious as Nefs. No leather. Not an alternative.
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6 Comments
11
6
Don't make it so hard for me - fine honey, saffron, floral and sweet. I brought a rose for you, my sweet. This love never ends.
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6 Comments
7
1
I can't join the praise!
As an owner of Nefs:
The top note is surprising - but then it lacks complexity and longevity!
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1 Comment
6
3
Stick your finger in the shower powder, honey!
Cinnamon stick after that, then the fig..
Amused on the oud adventure playground
Flowery cloud cover...
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3 Comments
4
Honey-sweet fig, gentle spices, slightly boozy. Paired with a rose-oud base, where the rose prevails.
Very close to the original. H/S top.
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0 Comments
4
1
Spicy oriental winter hit with a lovely honey note. Unfortunately, it develops a sour, scratchy background note on my skin :(
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1 Comment
4
Less complex than the original, but hey, it’s Nefs for €150?! Who would complain? One of the most epic statement fragrances.
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