Fashion and beauty affiliate writer Rachel Pugh found a £14.99 perfume at Boots that serves as a surprising summer alternative to her favourite limited-edition Jo Malone scent, which costs £112. The Jawhara Sultan Rose Eau de Parfum offers a different take on rose, with a woody and spicy profile rather than the breezy, fruity-floral of Jo Malone's Rose Blush Cologne.
Comparing the Scents
Pugh notes that Sultan Rose is not a direct dupe but provides a distinct interpretation. Jo Malone Rose Blush is a limited-edition cologne with a clean, spring-like feel, while Sultan Rose is intense, woody, and spicy, with Middle Eastern-style rose oud notes. Pugh describes it as more aligned with her usual preference for spicier scents, making it a perfect summer compromise.
According to Jawhara, the perfume opens with warm saffron accord and Akigalawood, leading to an elegant heart of majestic rose accord and powdery peony. A delicate base of vanilla incense adds subtle sweetness, reminiscent of an Arabian rose garden breeze.
Performance and Value
For £14.99, Pugh expected a subtle scent but found it surprisingly powerful. While it requires more frequent reapplication than her Jo Malone cologne, she considers it a minor trade-off given the price difference. She doesn't mind spraying liberally at such a low cost.
Pugh also tested the perfume on her boyfriend, noting it leans feminine despite being billed as unisex. He didn't like it on himself but was surprised by how well it settled on her skin.
Other Jawhara Options
For those preferring gourmand scents, Pugh recommends Sweet Dates, also £14.99 at Boots. This ambery, fruity Eau de Parfum opens with sweet vanilla and tangy raspberry, enriched by date accord and earthy patchouli, with a base of caramelised amber and cedarwood. She compares it favourably to Lush's Sticky Dates bodyspray (£29), noting it feels less sickly sweet and more elegant for warm evenings.
The Jawhara range also includes Golden Nectar (bergamot, tuberose, musk), Amberwood Nomad (cardamom, cedarwood, myrrh), and Oud Velvet (saffron, oud, creamy vanilla). All are available on the Boots website for £14.99 each.
