Quick answers
Year and family
2005 · Floral / Amberesque
Olfactory signature
An opulent rose composition centered on the Ta'if rose, date oil and saffron, deepened by orange flower, jasmine and a base of Ugandan vanilla, broom and amber.
Story
Ta'if was launched in June 2005 by Ormonde Jayne, the independent British house founded in 2001 in London (United Kingdom) by Linda Pilkington. The house confirms it as its first fine fragrance built around the Ta'if rose.
Ta'if is an intoxicating and audacious rose scent named for the town of Ta'if, which sits above the shores of the Red Sea and overlooks the Arabian desert. The house describes a perfume that dislikes daylight, preferring dusk, the night, parties, promises and assignations. It is an opulent composition that makes a bold entrance and is confident enough to sweep everyone else to one side, a real belle of the ball.
Pink pepper, saffron and dates open the structure, with date oil serving as a deliberate pillar after the house encountered Medjool dates on a trip to Arabia. A rich rose accord, freesia, orange flower absolute and jasmine form the heart, while Ugandan vanilla absolute, broom and amber close it. Ta'if is an Eau de Parfum at maximum strength in the 88 ml format.
Olfactory pyramid
The olfactory architecture of Ta'if is presented below using the maison's own Head, Heart and Soul labels. The summary notes are Taif rose, date oil and saffron.
Head
Pink pepper, saffronwarm spiced lift
Datesthe rich fruit pillar of the composition
Heart
Rose accord, freesiathe opulent floral core
Orange flower absolute, jasminewhite floral depth
Soul
Ugandan vanilla absolutewarm sweetness
Broom, amberhoneyed amberesque base
Olfactory profile
The signature of Ta'if is its opulence. The Ta'if rose, one of the most prized rose materials in perfumery, is set against saffron and date oil to create a warmth that is spiced and fruity rather than purely floral. Its Perfume Profile reads poised, sophisticated and confident.
The opening is spiced and rich, with saffron and dates giving the rose a Middle Eastern accent from the first moment. The heart blooms into a full rose accord supported by freesia, orange flower and jasmine. The drydown of Ugandan vanilla, broom and amber lends a honeyed, amberesque finish that carries the rose into the evening.
Key characteristics
Family
Floral / Amberesque
Perfume Profile
Poised. Sophisticated. Confident
Concentration
Eau de Parfum, maximum strength
Format
88 ml / 2.97 fl oz US
When and where to wear
Ta'if is, by the house's own description, a perfume for dusk and the night. Its opulent spiced rose reads best in cooler weather and in the evening, at parties, dinners and occasions where a bold floral statement is welcome.
It is confident and present, so a light hand suits it: one or two sprays let the rose, saffron and amber unfold without overwhelming. It is less a quiet daytime scent than a deliberate evening signature.
Wear references
Temperatures
Ideal between 5 °C and 20 °C.
Moment
Chiefly evening, and afternoons in the cool season.
Contexts
Evenings, dinners, celebrations: reference setting.
Dosage
Day: 1 spray is enough. Evening: 2 sprays.
Seasonal fit
| Season | Fit | Critical notes |
|---|
| Spring | ★★★☆ | A good fit in the evening. |
| Summer | ★★☆☆ | Its fullness can feel heavy in heat. |
| Autumn | ★★★★ | Ideal season. |
| Winter | ★★★★ | Excellent, the rose warms up. |
Context fit
| Context | Fit | Recommended use |
|---|
| Office | ★★☆☆ | Sillage can feel too full. |
| Dressed evening | ★★★★ | Reference setting. |
| Party | ★★★★ | A noticed entrance. |
| Intimate dinner | ★★★★ | Warm. |
| Sport | ★☆☆☆ | Unsuited. |
| Travel | ★★★☆ | Generous longevity. |
In Linda's words
The maison publishes a personal note from founder Linda Pilkington for Ta'if.
As soon as I landed in Arabia and reached the hotel, I was presented with a welcoming date drink. Most delicious! Once in my room, I found a box of Medjool dates to keep my energy levels up. It was already apparent that date oil needed to feature as a pillar of a new perfume. Beautiful memories.Linda Pilkington, Ormonde Jayne
Similar perfumes
These perfumes share a family or character with Ta'if.
| Perfume | House | Why related |
|---|
| Ambre Royal | Ormonde Jayne | an amberesque rose and jasmine composition |
| Tolu | Ormonde Jayne | a resinous amberesque study |
| Frangipani | Ormonde Jayne | a heady tropical floral |
| Evernia | Ormonde Jayne | a woody amberesque with Moroccan rose |
| Ombre Nomade | Louis Vuitton | a rose and oud built on a comparable Middle Eastern opulence |
| Oud Satin Mood | Maison Francis Kurkdjian | a velvety rose and oud in the same oriental register |
Frequently asked questions
What is Ta'if by Ormonde Jayne?01
Ta'if is an opulent floral amberesque rose Eau de Parfum launched in June 2005 by Ormonde Jayne, the independent British house founded in 2001 in London (United Kingdom). The maison confirms it as its first fine fragrance built around the Ta'if rose.
When was Ta'if launched?02
Ta'if was launched in June 2005, a date confirmed directly by the house. It was the first Ormonde Jayne fine fragrance to place the Ta'if rose at the heart of a composition.
What does Ta'if smell like?03
It opens on pink pepper, saffron and dates, blooms into a heart of rose accord, freesia, orange flower absolute and jasmine, and dries down to Ugandan vanilla, broom and amber. The impression is an opulent, spiced rose.
What is the Ta'if rose?04
The Ta'if rose is a prized rose material grown near the town of Ta'if in Saudi Arabia. It is known for its intense, honeyed depth, and Ormonde Jayne built this perfume around it.
What is the olfactory family of Ta'if?05
Ormonde Jayne classifies Ta'if as floral amberesque. Its Perfume Profile reads poised, sophisticated and confident.
Who composed Ta'if?06
Geza Schoen, the German perfumer, composed Ta’if for Ormonde Jayne. He signs the house’s Signature fragrances under the creative direction of its founder, Linda Pilkington.
What concentration is Ta'if?07
Ta'if is an Eau de Parfum at maximum strength, presented in an 88 ml / 2.97 fl oz US bottle.
When should I wear Ta'if?08
The house describes Ta'if as a perfume for dusk and the night. It reads best in cooler weather and in the evening, at parties and dinners. One or two sprays suffice.
Where is Ta'if made?09
Ormonde Jayne perfumes are handmade in England by the independent house, owned by founder Linda Pilkington since 2001.
Sources
Published 17 June 2026 · Last fact check: 17 June 2026 (corrections validated by Ormonde Jayne and aligned with ormondejayne.com) · Osmetheca
