Nishane perfumes – Hacivat, Ani, Hundred Silent Ways and more

If you have read niche fragrance forums in recent years, you have almost certainly come across the name Nishane – often next to the words "pineapple", "chypre" and "longevity". The Istanbul brand has gone from a small atelier to the shelves of the world's most prestigious niche boutiques. In this guide you will find out where Nishane comes from, what sets its style apart, which are its best-known perfumes – with notes, character and who they suit – and how to choose your first (or next) Nishane.

The story of Nishane: from Istanbul to the world

Nishane was created in 2012 in Istanbul by Mert Güzel and Murat Katran. The name itself comes from the old Turkish word for "sign" or "mark" – an idea the founders turned into a motto: perfume as the trace a person leaves behind. From the very beginning they bet on something that was rare at the time – a Turkish brand that does not copy the big fashion houses but speaks the language of artistic (niche) perfumery.

The cultural code is everywhere. Hacivat and Karagöz bear the names of the two heroes of traditional Turkish shadow theatre, which is inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Ege means "Aegean Sea" in Turkish, Zenne refers to the Ottoman dance tradition, and in Shinanay you will sense mastic – the resin so characteristic of the Aegean region. The brand also draws inspiration from more distant worlds: Nanshe is named after a Sumerian goddess and B-612 after the Little Prince's asteroid.

The breakthrough came with Hundred Silent Ways (2016) and especially Hacivat (2017), which turned Nishane into one of the most talked-about niche brands in online communities. Today Nishane is often cited as proof that the niche scene no longer belongs only to Paris and London.

The brand's style and concentrations

What unites fragrances as different as the fruity Hacivat and the honey-saffron Nefs? Three things:

• Concentration. Much of the catalogue is in extrait concentration (Extrait de Parfum) – a higher percentage of perfume oils than the usual Eau de Parfum. That is why most Nishane fragrances are applied sparingly: two or three sprays are enough.
• A clear idea in every bottle. Every fragrance is built around a strong centre – pineapple and moss, tuberose and peach, coconut and tobacco – without becoming a one-dimensional accord.
• A unisex philosophy. The brand does not divide its fragrances by gender. Even if you are looking for a "Nishane men's perfume", you will find that Hacivat or Fan Your Flames are worn equally well by women.

Bear in mind that some fragrances also exist as an Eau de Parfum (EDP) – for example Hacivat X, Hundred Silent Ways and Karagöz in our catalogue. They are a little airier but still have very good longevity. See all available versions in the collection Nishane perfumes.

Fresh, chypre and aromatic: the Hacivat family and more

Hacivat – the brand's star

Juicy pineapple, grapefruit and bergamot at the start, jasmine in the heart and a dry, slightly bitter base of cedar, patchouli and oakmoss. Nishane Hacivat is a modern fruity chypre: fresh but not watery, elegant but not boring. Its longevity is legendary, and because of its pineapple-moss profile it is constantly compared with Creed Aventus – we will devote a separate article to that comparison. It suits the office and the warm months.

Hacivat X and Hacivat Oud

Hacivat X is the lighter, more citrusy interpretation – lime, pink pepper and Tunisian orange blossom over vetiver and patchouli. It is ideal for the hot months. Hacivat Oud goes in the opposite direction: black and pink pepper, incense and oud add smoke and darkness beneath the familiar pineapple. This is the version for evenings and cool weather.

Karagöz – the dark alter ego

As in shadow theatre, Karagöz is the counterpoint to Hacivat. Grape and pineapple meet herbs and neroli, while a base of patchouli, vetiver and oud makes it earthier and more mysterious. For people who like Hacivat but want something richer.

Ege and B-612

Ege is a summer stroll along the Aegean coast: violet leaves, yuzu, anise, basil and mint, finished with cardamom, liquorice and olibanum. Fresh, aromatic and very original. B-612 is a clean aromatic-woody fragrance with lavender, cypress and geranium over cashmeran, sandalwood and musk – a "clean skin perfume" for every day.

Floral and gourmand: Hundred Silent Ways, Zenne, Fan Your Flames

Hundred Silent Ways – a tuberose that whispers

Nishane Hundred Silent Ways is perhaps the brand's most tender bestseller. Tuberose, gardenia and jasmine are softened by peach and mandarin, while iris, vanilla and sandalwood give them a powdery-creamy softness. It is not a "loud" white floral – more a warm halo around the skin. It is especially loved by women, but many men wear it with pleasure.

Zenne, Nanshe, Shinanay and Tuberóza

Zenne combines blackcurrant, rhubarb and grapefruit with Turkish rose and gardenia over vanilla and ambergris – a fresh, juicy rose with a refined finish. Nanshe is bright and unusual: carrot seeds, cardamom and yuzu open the way to rose, ylang-ylang and watery fruits. Shinanay is the boldest of the florals – galbanum, elemi and blood orange, tuberose and gardenia, plus an earthy note of porcini and mastic. Tuberóza is a classic sunny tuberose with ylang-ylang, orange blossom and jasmine. If the white floral theme is yours, also browse the collection perfumes with tuberose.

Fan Your Flames – coconut, rum and tobacco

Fan Your Flames is Nishane's gourmand fragrance: creamy coconut, rum and tobacco, warmed by tonka, with oakmoss and cedar that keep it away from cloying sweetness. It was made for autumn and winter evenings, for jumpers and fireplaces.

Oriental and oud: Nefs, Mana, Shem

• Nishane Nefs – honey, saffron and fig, violet, sage and rose, with nutmeg and osmanthus. "Nefs" means "soul" or "essence" – and the fragrance really is warm, intimate and enveloping.
• Nishane Mana – saffron, ginger, cardamom and black pepper over oud, suede and castoreum with Turkish rose. Spicy, leathery and very imposing.
• Nishane Shem – Turkish rose and geranium with cardamom, cypriol, amber, osmanthus, leather and elemi. A rose-leather composition with an aristocratic bearing.
• Pachuli Kozha – chamomile, artemisia, ylang-ylang and hyacinth, patchouli, black pepper, honey and incense. A herbal-honeyed patchouli for lovers of earthy fragrances.

Cult names outside our stock: Ani and Wulong Chá

We cannot talk about Nishane without mentioning Ani (2019). It is a vanilla-ginger fragrance with bergamot, cardamom and pink pepper at the start and a warm base of vanilla, benzoin and sandalwood – one of the most sought-after oriental unisex fragrances of the decade. Wulong Chá, on the other hand, is a fresh tea fragrance with oolong, bergamot, mandarin and fig. We do not currently offer these two fragrances, but if you are looking for "Nishane Ani", take a look at Nefs (sweetness and warmth) or Fan Your Flames (a creamy gourmand note).

Comparison table of Nishane perfumes

Which Nishane perfume should I choose?

1. Your first Nishane, a "safe" choice: Hacivat. Almost everyone likes it, and it shows the brand's DNA best.
2. You want something tender and sensual: Hundred Silent Ways or Zenne.
3. You are looking for a men's perfume for the evening: Hacivat Oud, Mana or Fan Your Flames.
4. You love sweet, warm fragrances like Ani: Nefs.
5. You need a summer fragrance: Ege or Hacivat X.
6. You want something nobody around you wears: Shinanay or Nanshe.

In Nishane unisex perfumes you will find all available fragrances in one place. Parfyum.bg offers 100% original products, delivery by DPD in 3–6 working days for 10 € and secure online card payment (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay).

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