Swiss Arabian Passion of Venice Review: A Hidden Gem

Swiss Arabian has built a reputation for delivering opulent Middle Eastern-style perfumery at accessible prices, and Passion of Venice is one of its most intriguing recent releases. Launched in 2023 as part of the house’s Cities Collection, this unisex extrait de parfum was composed by Dalia Izem. The name alone evokes gondolas, fading frescoes, and velvet evenings—a romantic travel fantasy in a bottle. At $45–$90 for 100ml, it also promises luxury-adjacent wear without the luxury markup. On Fragrantica, Passion of Venice holds a 4.23/5 rating from roughly 103 votes, which is impressive for a relatively under-the-radar release. The fragrance community frequently compares it to Yves Saint Laurent Tuxedo and Byredo Mojave Ghost, though most agree it is not a clone—more like a cousin with roughly 60% similarity. That comparison is useful: it places Passion of Venice in the trendy woody-musk-with-a-twist category that has dominated niche and designer shelves alike. But there is a plot twist. The official note pyramid lists pink pepper, black pepper, and green leaves up top, followed by patchouli, jasmine, and cedarwood. In practice, many wearers report a prominent jammy red-fruit and rose character in the opening—sweeter, richer, and more gourmand than those official notes suggest. This review separates the official data from lived experience so you know what you are actually buying.