12/28/2021
Elysium
815 Reviews
Elysium
Helpful Review
4
Soul's Blood or Divine Tears?
Ambre by Eminence Parfums is everything you didn't expect. Both the manliness of the dark patchouli and the softness of the powdery vanilla are magically blended. The outcome produces a sensual and opulent aroma that stimulates all my senses. My eyes roll back, my mind travels, my hormones explode, my inhibitions collapse, my anxiety vanishes, and I only see good in life. Gee, as we have moved deeper into the autumn, Ambre performs at its best. The calm wind on my face counterbalances the voluptuous smoky amber warmth supported by an abundance of the resinous and sweet accord.
In case you missed it, Amber is everything but an organic smell. Though you see it in many perfume pyramids, amber—fossilized tree resin used in jewellery—doesn't have much of a scent. The fragrance we associate with Amber is entirely manufactured and usually involves a combination of benzoin, labdanum, and vanilla to produce a pleasant aroma reminiscent of the gemstone's golden warmth. Honest Amber only produces a scent through severe or destructive methods: when heated under the right conditions (creating the oil of Amber, which has a musky odour) or burnt (which smells of pinewood). Of course, there is the sperm whale Ambergris, but that is another story. Labdanum resin is the most popular and most recognizably 'amber' as most people think of it today. Other resins often used are benzoin, balsam of Peru, frankincense, myrrh, copal, styrax, storax or liquidambar, and other oils such as cedarwood sandalwood and vanilla. Somewhere along the line, perfumers created the amber note as a sweet, woody, earthy note from blends of various resins. Perhaps because gums are the precursor to Amber, or probably to represent its warm golden glow. Or probably in aims to resemble ambergris at a lower cost.
That being said, Ambre starts the show with an unbelievable resinous opening, dense, gentle, and smoky, a little bit boozy, but not overwhelmingly so. There is a resemblance to a glass of Sambuca, reliable with a liquorice note. The alcohol subsides within a minute, and the incense plus Amber accord stick out. This one goes for deep darkness; it is thick and dense but not syrupy or cloying.
At heart, notes of ylang-ylang, iris, and rose wiggle their way in. This fragrance indeed develops into one of the best amber scents available. It has a fabulous floral accord that dominates the heart of this fragrance and is warm, powdery, smooth, and inviting. The iris here is more like baby powder than a lipstick gloss. Lovely and warm.
The vanilla and sandalwood base is slightly sweet and pleasing, giving Ambre a creamy richness without being overly sweet or heady. The addition of patchouli and musk assists in balancing this fragrance, but not in the typical powdery finish. It is more luxurious and plays more of a supporting role for the dense amber structure.
As time passes, the incense rises higher to power, and Ambre becomes darker and intensely smoky and peppery, creating images of dark medieval Gothic chantries, secret rituals, and forbidden mysticism. A meditative, dramatic, and spiritual creation of unprecedented supremacy. Patchouli also becomes quite evident, brighter than what I'd usually experience with other colognes. Labdanum and sandalwood are subtly intertwined about the former notes, and what I get minutes from spray-on is a very pleasant, high-quality powdery amber that is just awesome. The incense provides a dry, dusty quality and works wonderfully to balance the vanillic amber heart. While quite robust and powerful, this is also a cosy, sensual fragrance that leans more toward the masculine side of the spectrum than feminine (though I certainly wouldn't mind it on a woman). It is a little bit spicy but in a warm, inviting kind of way. Rich and thick, I find Ambre works best when applied lightly with just one or two sprays.
It is truly a creamy concoction. So thick, so vicious, so full-bodied, it conjures up an image of a dark brown intoxicating aromatic nimbus moving slowly in waves off my chest. And its longevity is off the charts! Amber fans will appreciate this one. Sillage is excellent, and durability is impressive. This fragrance can still be going strong well over many hours after application. Like a fine wine, Ambre only gets better with time. Please don't make any hasty decisions within the first hour or so. This fragrance needs time to develop for a full appreciation of its complexity. If you are a true lover of Amber, this is a fragrance that you shouldn't live without. A serious compliment getter! That is my soul's blood for the autumn season, perfect indoor and outdoor, just fabulous.
-Elysium
In case you missed it, Amber is everything but an organic smell. Though you see it in many perfume pyramids, amber—fossilized tree resin used in jewellery—doesn't have much of a scent. The fragrance we associate with Amber is entirely manufactured and usually involves a combination of benzoin, labdanum, and vanilla to produce a pleasant aroma reminiscent of the gemstone's golden warmth. Honest Amber only produces a scent through severe or destructive methods: when heated under the right conditions (creating the oil of Amber, which has a musky odour) or burnt (which smells of pinewood). Of course, there is the sperm whale Ambergris, but that is another story. Labdanum resin is the most popular and most recognizably 'amber' as most people think of it today. Other resins often used are benzoin, balsam of Peru, frankincense, myrrh, copal, styrax, storax or liquidambar, and other oils such as cedarwood sandalwood and vanilla. Somewhere along the line, perfumers created the amber note as a sweet, woody, earthy note from blends of various resins. Perhaps because gums are the precursor to Amber, or probably to represent its warm golden glow. Or probably in aims to resemble ambergris at a lower cost.
That being said, Ambre starts the show with an unbelievable resinous opening, dense, gentle, and smoky, a little bit boozy, but not overwhelmingly so. There is a resemblance to a glass of Sambuca, reliable with a liquorice note. The alcohol subsides within a minute, and the incense plus Amber accord stick out. This one goes for deep darkness; it is thick and dense but not syrupy or cloying.
At heart, notes of ylang-ylang, iris, and rose wiggle their way in. This fragrance indeed develops into one of the best amber scents available. It has a fabulous floral accord that dominates the heart of this fragrance and is warm, powdery, smooth, and inviting. The iris here is more like baby powder than a lipstick gloss. Lovely and warm.
The vanilla and sandalwood base is slightly sweet and pleasing, giving Ambre a creamy richness without being overly sweet or heady. The addition of patchouli and musk assists in balancing this fragrance, but not in the typical powdery finish. It is more luxurious and plays more of a supporting role for the dense amber structure.
As time passes, the incense rises higher to power, and Ambre becomes darker and intensely smoky and peppery, creating images of dark medieval Gothic chantries, secret rituals, and forbidden mysticism. A meditative, dramatic, and spiritual creation of unprecedented supremacy. Patchouli also becomes quite evident, brighter than what I'd usually experience with other colognes. Labdanum and sandalwood are subtly intertwined about the former notes, and what I get minutes from spray-on is a very pleasant, high-quality powdery amber that is just awesome. The incense provides a dry, dusty quality and works wonderfully to balance the vanillic amber heart. While quite robust and powerful, this is also a cosy, sensual fragrance that leans more toward the masculine side of the spectrum than feminine (though I certainly wouldn't mind it on a woman). It is a little bit spicy but in a warm, inviting kind of way. Rich and thick, I find Ambre works best when applied lightly with just one or two sprays.
It is truly a creamy concoction. So thick, so vicious, so full-bodied, it conjures up an image of a dark brown intoxicating aromatic nimbus moving slowly in waves off my chest. And its longevity is off the charts! Amber fans will appreciate this one. Sillage is excellent, and durability is impressive. This fragrance can still be going strong well over many hours after application. Like a fine wine, Ambre only gets better with time. Please don't make any hasty decisions within the first hour or so. This fragrance needs time to develop for a full appreciation of its complexity. If you are a true lover of Amber, this is a fragrance that you shouldn't live without. A serious compliment getter! That is my soul's blood for the autumn season, perfect indoor and outdoor, just fabulous.
-Elysium
Elysium
