The newest of Gissah's standout scents arrived in 2024 and quickly earned some of the highest praise the house has received. Mavro, its name the Greek word for black, is the brand's take on a fresh-yet-sweet woody fragrance, the kind of versatile, easy-to-love scent that works in almost any situation. If the Valley trio built Gissah's reputation, Mavro confirmed it.
It is the house at its most modern.
Gissah's modern confidence
By 2024 Gissah was no longer the new kid. Having built a following with smooth ouds and sweet ambers, the Arabian house, working with trained French perfumers, turned to something more contemporary and Western in feel. Mavro is the result: less about traditional oud, more about the kind of fresh-sweet woody signature that dominates the modern designer counter, executed with Gissah's now-trademark polish.
Citrus up top, praline below
It opens bright and sparkling, bergamot, lemon and grapefruit with a lift of pink pepper, genuinely fresh and clean. Then it pivots into something cosier: a spicy saffron and a sweet, nutty praline at the heart, before a smooth base of cedarwood, patchouli and tonka bean brings warmth and depth. The contrast between the zesty opening and the sweet, woody drydown is what makes it so versatile, fresh enough for the day and warm enough for the evening.
What it actually smells like
Fresh citrus melting into sweet praline and smooth woods. It is bright and clean at first, then turns cosy and slightly gourmand, a crowd-pleasing combination that suits almost anyone. It is unisex, leans gently sweet, projects well and lasts a long time. It is the kind of fragrance you reach for when you want to smell good without thinking too hard about it.
The £195 question
A bottle of Mavro sits around £195 in the UK. For the money you get one of Gissah's most highly rated recent scents and a genuinely versatile crowd-pleaser, at a relative saving against European niche. The catch is simply that it is still a meaningful spend.
Which is the reason an alternative market exists. People love the fresh-sweet versatility of Mavro and want it for even less, with the longevity guaranteed.
Mavro Nior: the 35% interpretation
This is where we come in, and we will be straight about what we are. Our Mavro Nior is Aromara's interpretation of that citrus-and-praline character, not a counterfeit and not a Gissah product. It carries no branding and makes no claim to be the original. It chases the part that matters: the bright citrus and pink-pepper opening, the saffron and praline heart, and the smooth cedarwood, patchouli and tonka base.
The difference is in two numbers. Ours is built at 35% extrait concentration, roughly double a standard eau de parfum, so the praline and woods hold for seven hours or more rather than fading by lunch. And it costs £4.99 for a 5ml to test it properly, against £195 for the original. We guarantee the wear time in writing, with 60 days to send it back for a full refund if it does not last.
Our guide to extrait de parfum explains why concentration matters, and the strongest perfume dupes in the UK shows where our range sits. If you love a sweet, versatile woody, the story behind Parfums de Marly Layton is a natural next read, and our Altair is another to try.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gissah Mavro?
It is a fresh-sweet woody fragrance launched in 2024 by Gissah, the premium Arabian house. Its name is the Greek word for black.
What does Mavro smell like?
Fresh citrus over sweet praline and smooth woods: bergamot, lemon and grapefruit with pink pepper, a saffron and praline heart, and a base of cedarwood, patchouli and tonka.
Is Aromara's Mavro Nior the same as Gissah?
No. It is an independent composition inspired by the same character, built at 35% extrait for longevity and sold at a fraction of the price. It is not affiliated with Gissah.
Aromara is an independent UK fragrance house. Our fragrances are original compositions inspired by the character of well-known designer scents. We are not affiliated with Gissah, and all trademarks belong to their respective owners. Every Aromara fragrance is made in the UK at 35% extrait concentration, with a 7+ hour longevity guarantee and a 60-day money-back promise.