Initio Side Effect Dupes: 3 Boozy Alternatives, Ranked
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The best Initio Side Effect dupe for most people is Swiss Arabian Tobacco 01, the alternative Fragrantica reviewers compare to Side Effect most often. Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst Fusion is the lighter, rum forward option, and Rayhaan Pharaoh is a looser, spicier cousin.
- None of these is a 1:1 clone, and reviewers disagree on all three.
- Tobacco 01 is fruitier, with plum and honey. Amethyst Fusion is airier, with rum and caramel.
- Rayhaan Pharaoh shares the boozy vanilla mood but leans more toward saffron and coffee.
Initio Parfums Privés Side Effect is one of the most famous boozy scents out there. Initio lists cinnamon, rum, tobacco, saffron, sandalwood and hedione, and calls it a night perfume.
We do not carry Side Effect. We do carry three Arabian scents that reviewers link to it. Here is how they rank, and who each one is for.
- Swiss Arabian Tobacco 01: the most common Side Effect comparison, with extra fruit and honey.
- Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst Fusion: the rum side of Side Effect, lighter and sweeter.
- Rayhaan Pharaoh: a loose match with a spicy, coffee and suede twist.
1. Swiss Arabian Tobacco 01
Swiss Arabian Tobacco 01Plum, licorice, tobacco, honey, vanillaShop nowFragrantica credits Tobacco 01 to perfumer Angéline Leporini and lists plum, licorice, apple, tobacco, honey and vanilla among its notes. It is sweet, fruity and full of tobacco.
It gets more Side Effect talk than anything else on this list. One reviewer described it as "Side effect by Initio with a hefty luscious dose of honey and juicy plum liquor." Another said, "it's not a clone of side effect lads, but it does remind me of it." Not everyone agrees. One reviewer wrote, "Not even remotely close to side effect."
Our take: this is the one to try first if you love the tobacco and sweetness in Side Effect and do not mind more fruit. A few reviewers say it gets better after it sits in the bottle for a while.
2. Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst Fusion
Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst FusionAmaretto, rum, caramel, amber, vanillaShop nowFragrantica lists amaretto, rum and mandarin on top, amber, caramel and patchouli in the heart, and vanilla, benzoin and sandalwood in the base. There is no tobacco listed, so this one is all about the booze and the sweets.
Reviewers link it to Side Effect through that rum. One wrote, "The rum accord is very similar to the one in Initio's Side Effect." Another called it "a fruiter, less dense version of Initio Side Effect." A third said, "it's more airy and lighter."
Our take: pick this one if Side Effect feels too heavy on you. It keeps the boozy fun but drops the smoke. We also picked it in our Best Fall Fragrances 2026 list.
3. Rayhaan Pharaoh
Rayhaan PharaohSaffron, cardamom, coffee, benzoin, vanillaShop nowFragrantica lists saffron, cardamom, boozy notes and cade oil on top, then suede, benzoin and coffee, with vanilla, tonka and labdanum in the base. It is warm, spicy and a little smoky.
The Side Effect link here is weaker. One reviewer said, "it is the same DNA but not too close." Another said it "leans more into Caden," pointing to a different niche scent.
Our take: choose Pharaoh if you like the boozy vanilla mood of Side Effect but want more spice, coffee and suede. Do not buy it expecting a copy.
How they compare
| Tobacco 01 | Amethyst Fusion | Pharaoh | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared with Side Effect | Tobacco, vanilla, sweetness | Rum, vanilla, sandalwood | Saffron, boozy notes, vanilla |
| What it adds | Plum, honey, licorice | Amaretto, caramel, mandarin | Coffee, cardamom, suede |
| Reviewer consensus | Most compared, still split | Similar rum, lighter overall | Same family, not close |
| Best for | Tobacco lovers | Sweet tooth, lighter wear | Spice and coffee fans |
Notes are from Fragrantica and Initio's own site. The consensus row is our summary of Fragrantica reviews.
Start with Swiss Arabian Tobacco 01. It gets the most Side Effect comparisons and brings the tobacco and sweetness most people are after. If you mainly love the rum, go with Amethyst Fusion. Rayhaan Pharaoh is a great scent in its own right, but it is the loosest match of the three.
Love boozy and sweet? Our best Arabian vanilla perfumes guide has more picks.
Which one is right for you?
- Want the closest tobacco match: Swiss Arabian Tobacco 01
- Want boozy but lighter: Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst Fusion
- Want a spicy, coffee twist: Rayhaan Pharaoh
- Want the sweetest option: Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst Fusion
FAQ
What is the best dupe for Initio Side Effect?
Swiss Arabian Tobacco 01 is the scent Fragrantica reviewers compare to Side Effect most. It is fruitier and more honeyed, and some reviewers say it is not close at all.
What does Initio Side Effect smell like?
Initio lists cinnamon, rum, tobacco, saffron, sandalwood and hedione. Reviewers describe it as a boozy, spicy tobacco vanilla scent for nighttime.
Is Lattafa Amethyst Fusion like Side Effect?
Some reviewers say the rum accord is very similar. They also say it is lighter and less dense, with no tobacco listed.
Is Rayhaan Pharaoh a Side Effect clone?
No. Some reviewers see the same general DNA, but others say it is closer to a different niche scent. Treat it as its own spicy, boozy vanilla.
Which Side Effect alternative is best for fall?
All three suit cool weather. Tobacco 01 is the richest for cold evenings, while Amethyst Fusion is easier to wear during the day.
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