Short answer: The Pharoah from D&E Fragrances is our Extrait de Parfum take on Penhaligon's Cairo, from £14.99 to £44.95, while the original costs around £220 for 100ml. Shop The Pharoah here.
- Smells like: saffron and rose over incense, patchouli, cedarwood and vanilla.
- Best for: evenings and cooler weather, for anyone who likes warm spice and wood.
- Honest note: it is our own interpretation, not an exact copy.
Cairo is a popular unisex fragrance from Penhaligon's, known for its spicy, woody and slightly resinous character. It is a lovely scent, but at £220 for a 100ml bottle it is not cheap, so it is no surprise that people look for alternatives.
What does Cairo actually smell like?
Harrods lists saffron and cypriol in the top. The heart brings cistus labdanum, rose and incense, and the base includes patchouli, Atlas cedarwood, sandalwood and vanilla. The result is warm, spicy and woody, with a smooth, slightly sweet finish.
Why people look for a Cairo dupe
Price is the main reason. At around £220 for 100ml, Cairo sits firmly in luxury territory, and a lot of people would rather spread that budget across several scents. A dupe lets you try the style without the commitment, and the smaller bottle sizes mean you can test it first.
| Penhaligon's Cairo | The Pharoah (D&E) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Around £220 for 100ml | From £14.99 to £44.95 |
| Style | Warm, spicy, woody | Warm spicy woody in the same style |
| Format | Eau de Parfum | Extrait de Parfum |
| Sizes | 100ml | 5ml, 12ml roller, 15ml, 30ml, 50ml |
Introducing The Pharoah
The Pharoah is our own composition, inspired by the style of Cairo. It opens with saffron and cypriol, moves through labdanum, rose and incense, and finishes with patchouli, cedarwood, sandalwood and vanilla. You can start with a 5ml sample for £14.99 or pick a larger bottle. Try The Pharoah from £14.99.
Being upfront about the comparison
The Pharoah is not an exact clone, and we do not claim it is. It follows the same warm, spicy and woody direction, but it is our own blend, so there will be differences in detail and character. A sample is the best way to compare it with the original on your own skin.
Longevity and projection
As an Extrait de Parfum, The Pharoah has a higher concentration of fragrance oils, and most people can expect around 8-10+ hours of wear. It depends on skin type and weather, and spicy, woody scents usually shine in cooler months.
The verdict
If you love the spicy, incense-tinged warmth of Cairo but not the price, The Pharoah is worth trying. Shop The Pharoah now and see how it wears for you.
Follow us for daily dupes: TikTok @defragrances26 and Instagram @defragrance.25.
The Pharoah is our own original composition, inspired by the fragrance family that Cairo belongs to. It is not an exact replica. Penhaligon's and Cairo are registered trademarks of their owners; D&E Fragrances is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
Browse more in our best fragrance dupes UK guide.