Rayhaan Pharaoh

Pharaoh opens with a genuinely arresting combination of smoky cade oil and saffron layered over a boozy accord — it's the kind of opening that makes people in the room turn their heads. As it settles, the coffee and suede heart give it a worn-leather-and-espresso quality that feels more niche house than its price point suggests, before vanilla and tonka bean pull it into a warm, resinous finish anchored by labdanum and guaiac wood. It's unisex in the truest sense — neither aggressively masculine nor overtly feminine, just deeply atmospheric. Given the smokiness and richness of the composition, this one earns its place in an autumn or winter evening rotation, whether you're heading to a dinner or simply want something that feels like a statement without saying a word. The speed at which it landed across four South African stockists within months of its 2026 launch suggests the local market recognised something worth paying attention to.