Saffron
Saffron is the dried stigma of the Crocus sativus flower, and it takes roughly 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram. In perfumery it's used for its honeyed, leathery, slightly metallic sweetness — the note that defines the 'spicy amber' family popularized by MFK Baccarat Rouge 540. Saffron pairs almost exclusively with oud, rose, and amber; used alone it's too sharp to carry a composition.
Scent Profile
Honeyed, leathery, slightly metallic and bittersweet
Typical Use
Top-to-heart note in Middle Eastern and luxury compositions; the signature of saffron-amber ouds.
Related Notes
Fragrances Containing Saffron
Dior Sauvage Elixir
Dior
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
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Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 went from niche darling to the most-recognizable scent of the 2020s. We review the saffron-amber-oud accord, the cultural impact, and the ethics of the $300+ price.