The Library Collection Opus I

Opus I is a rich, heady plum-tuberose scent, laced with warm spices and with a rich, woody base. It reminds me a lot of Dior Poison and, to an even greater extent, Cacharel LouLou, but is more refined and modern than either of those bombastic 1980s florientals. OI isn't technically an amber scent, though the vanilla in the base gives that effect - especially in combination with the incense note. While it doesn't read as a classic chypre, it is centred on a rich, woody drydown that grounds the floral/fruity aspects beautifully. It is of the high quality I would expect of Amouage, masterfully composed rich, natural-smelling ingredients and with excellent performance. It is well-blended. OI opens with juicy plum that becomes increasingly jammy as it progresses. It sweetness is tempered by tart orange, with a nice spicy edge given by the cardamom. The heady florals follow, with tuberose and plum forming the main accord of this scent. Ylang ylang gives a tropical, yellow floral edge. I get some saffron here, adding spice. Powdery rose follows, with some clean jasmine rounding out this scent. Soft woody notes follow, led by a delicious smooth, creamy sandalwood note. I get some churchy incense here - one of my favourite notes - marrying beautifully with the sandalwood. Other woody notes round it out - I get papyrus and dry vetiver in particular. Tonka bean softens the edges at its later stages, with some powdery vanilla adding sweetness as it dries down. It is very well-blended - top notes blend beautifully with the woody base, the powdery florals remain, and the tuberose-plum accord pervades. It becomes slightly musky as it fades, becoming a dry, woody-vanilla skin scent. Sillage is strong and longevity is long-lasting. A beautifully balanced complex scent, OI has shades of 1980s classics, but is an improvement on such scents. Timeless, ageless and unisex, it is the epitome of classic elegance, and is best worn in cold weather. It isn't for everyone, but I find it hard to fault. I miss Christopher Chong at the helm of Amouage. 4.5/5.

To be perfectly honest, I’m yet to encounter a dull fragrance in Amouage’s rich collection. Without any hesitation, I’d describe a vast majority of them as (pleasantly) quirky. The Library Collection has been created with the intention of opening new possibilities for the brand and pushing the envelope again a tad bit further. Up to now I’ve sampled Opuses I to VIII and I can safely say all of them share the Amouage DNA. The head of Opus I is dominated by spices and fruit. It’s an interesting introduction that makes one wonder which direction the fragrance is going to head down next. This becomes apparent in its deliciously floral heart: jasmine, lily of the valley, rose, tuberose, you name it. Given the notes, it’s not surprising this stage leans more on the feminine side, which might make some gentlemen feel a little uncomfortable. It shouldn’t because Opus I returns to the unisex path in its base. True, the floral bouquet never quite evaporates but it now occupies the background while the centre stage belongs to woody notes, frankincense and papyrus, creating a curious library-like aroma. Opus I is also a true Amouage fragrance in terms of sillage (with a rather intense head and heart yet a pleasantly soft drydown) and longevity (this is easily an all-day-long scent). My verdict: Opus I is fantastic! I adore it primarily for two reasons: firstly, its oscillation between a unisex and feminine character (eventually settling for the former); secondly, its smooth and incredibly comfy base. Thank you, Christopher Chong, for begetting such an exceptional scent!

Retro floral This Daniel Maurel (Robertet) composition starts off by giving clear nods to a classic, almost animalic tuberose: Fracas (Piguet, 1948), supported by other white and yellow carnal flowers (jasmine and ylang-ylang) and a -minimal- ambery/woody base. With an almost lineal progression (sandalwood notes and amber becoming more obvious) and huge longevity the first launch of the collection sets us standing upon an arregement of flowers in a humid, dusty ‘library’ destilling odors of old books and furniture. Careful with the sprays, this stuff is potent. --------------- Floral retro Con guiños a clásicos como el legendario Fracas (Piguet, 1948) y sus nardos casi animálicos, esta composición de Daniel Maurel (Robertet) se apoya en flores blancas (nardo, jazmín) y amarillas (ylang-ylang) dándole una sensación indólica y casi carnal al conjunto, soportado por una base ambarada y maderosa (mínima). De progresión bastante lineal y duradera (notas de sándalo y ámbar se hacen más evidentes en el secado), el primer lanzamiento de la colección nos da la impresión de un arreglo floral en una ‘biblioteca’ húmeda, destilando aromas de libros y muebles antiguos. Potente así que cuidado con los sprays. 9/10

So after I heard out that Myths Man is discontinued now I find that this one is also on that category and I'm like: "What am I going to wear ?" They really like to remove some of the best masterpieces, huh ? I can't say enough good words about Opus I, alongside Myths, which is my favourite from all I have smelled so far. Especially in the cool weather those two are where they shine the most. Now, focusing on Opus I, the mix of the ingredients is one of the most complex I've found, so rich, intoxicating, such a splendid, original formula that embraces and seduce you; and you don't want to escape from it. The dry-down is spectacular, cozy, that floral-woody scent so joyful, yet sober and it really sets you apart from the crowd. This is a true fragrance, unique, bold and in the same time gentle, the one that close the cercle of being "at peace". Amouage for me is quality, from the ingredients to the presentation of its products but the direction they are going now it's not really my type. I know many of you heard this before but, Mr. Chong was really a genius when he were in charge. Really miss him.

I'm late to this review since this gem has been discontinued. However it may be useful for those who might still find one for purchase. The first time I tried this I pretty much regretted blind buying. It opened very fouger-y, almost screechy. But if you (don't overspray) and let it sit for about an hour, past the awkward, waxy stage others mention, the base becomes this dry, sweet, flowery bouquet on soft woods. It reminds me of bubblegum strips. It is nostalgic, formal yet not serious. Best for transitioning weather. Though it has a creamy, suntan lotion-y feel, it can become cloying in hot weather, especially in the middle. If you are willing to endure a slightly off-putting concoction for a couple of minutes, this fragrance won't let you down once it settles.

I just sampled this. This is amazing!!! The opening is heady, an almost soapy floral, which I didn't like. However, once it settles and starts to meld with my skin it is stunning!!! I will test a few more times, but I do believe I will be getting a FB. I would try to explain this, but too be honest, my nose is not good enough. The most noticeable notes to me are the cardamom, ylang-ylang, tuberose, plum, guaiac wood, papyrus and sandalwood. Edit: I just bought a FB and I am in love! There is something so cozy and inviting about this fragrance. This fragrance is so hard to discribe that I won't even attempt it...you need to try this for yourself!!! Let me just add the performance is amazing!!!

I am a real fan of ylang-ylang and this hits you straight away with this perfume. It is a great developer on skin and takes a few hours to soften down. When this happens the scent is amazing. There is a stage in the mellowing down that reminds me very much of Penhaligon's Artemesia- There are the soft musky tones. In my mind this scent becomes very creamy while still remaining strong. After nearly 7 hours on skin the scent still comes through. I would advise anyone who tries this to appreciate the changes the fragrance goes through. The floral tones to begin may be to strong for many but I would recommend giving it the time to settle before making a judgement on it.

A dash of Fils de Joie with the dank papyrus from Figment Woman, old school plum in a supporting (but restrained role) and fruity ylang ylang. Amouage is my favourite house for a reason, every composition is a triumph (I'm taking Chong era and before, recently there are highs and lows), and this is no exception. The ever so slightly fishy papyrus in the base satisfies my craving for edgy, daring perfumes. The first four opuses have the best of everything Amouage has ever had to offer IMO.

I am not a fan of Amouage. Most of them smell like cheap French whore to me. But, i do like this one. It's a big, bold floral. In the top you do get a short whiff of cardamom and a hint of plum with a lot of ylang then the tuberose and jasmine take over. This fragrance is huge for a floral. It has a depth to it in the base that takes it from sweet sickly headache inducer to something very alluring and complex with some sandalwood, cedar, papyrus and sandalwood.

Class in a bottle. I haven't smell anything like this before and it is, if not the best, one of the best fragrances my nose has ever smelled. The projection and longevity are good. This will be my signature scent, at least for 2 more months before the weather gets warmer. Scent: 9.5/10 Longevity: 9/10 Projection: 10/10 Price: 10/10 (you get what you pay for!!)

Opus I is delicious, luxurious and intoxicating. A beautiful white floral/woody fragrance. At first spray I smell the ylan-ylang with the tuberose and jasmine. Then the bitter orange joins in with the woods (sandalwood, oud and vetier). It can be a bit strong, so go easy on the trigger. It lasts up to 8-10 hours on me. Masterpiece!

Such a memorable experience with this, from just a sample though. Complex and deep, very high quality. For me, it is more of an olfactory experience than using it outside of home. Out of the notes' list I can only get incense and wood.

This one is a beauty - fragrance profile is largely white florals - Jasmine + Tuberose + Ylang Ylang. After a strong start, it settles down to a modestly projecting white floral with great longevity. Unisex and unique. Shukran Habibi!

I'm a beginner, so I got a sample of several classic/must smell decants... this is the first I received. If they are all as good as this, I may have to retire and spend the rest of my life sniffing my wrists. LOL

Mmmmm. Sweet floral scent, powdery cardamom with ylangylang, tuberose and jasmine. Sandalwood, rosewood and incense in the base. Pretty beasty from the jasmine and ylangylang. NSFW gents... Nice! 88

this lovely fragrance is very good... very strong and commercial..it is absolutely good scent, dark & mysterious Agarwood, erotic.. I love it!

It’s a crime that this has been discontinued. It’s breathtaking.

Flipping hell this is heavenly Loove it

This is so thoroughly blended that even in the opening it was hard for me to make out individual notes. It’s a unique and original smell all its own, but it reminds me of something I can’t quite put my finger on, possibly a perfume that my mother had when I was a child. I suppose the emergence of a unique scent is the mark of a good perfume. If I were hard pressed to say what it smells like, I would describe it as a gourmand floral, or a slightly spicy plum scented with old-fashioned violets, tuberose, camphor, and tonka. It’s not what I would call a chypre. OK. I’ll narrow it down primarily to a tonka-violet combo. Odd, because violet isn’t listed in the notes. This must be one of those chameleon perfumes that behaves very differently on different people, because I don’t get much of the white floral and LOTV that others here complain about. Believe me, if I did I would scrub. As the heart develops, there’s a key-lime-pie note that creeps in, boosting the gourmand aspect. There’s plenty of sillage, but it’s enjoyable, never crossing the line into excess. To me, the key-lime-pie note persists into the drydown, dominating any resins and woods that might be there. The fragrance is still going strong at the end of the day, so I would say that its longevity on skin is about 24 hours. It sticks around for days on clothing. I actually like Opus I very much and, while I wouldn’t rush out and buy it even if I could afford to, if someone wanted to give me a bottle as a gift I certainly wouldn’t complain.

Ylang ylang cardamom bomb. The real stuff. The resulting effect of pouring a bottle each of ylang ylang and cardamom EO on yourself. Really intensive! A powdery soft vanillic tonka bean develops after about 15 minutes. Notes of dry paper underneath it all. Something in there gives off the slightest hint of smelly bathroom, but that part is well concealed under the other, friendlier notes. Some smooth creamy tuberose adds to the fat, showy ylang ylang. Well blended woods start developing later. I don't imagine this working on a man, or in hot weather. Impressive sillage, bordering on too much, during the first 30 minutes. A few dabs from the tester vial really went a long way. It calms down after an hour into something much more beautiful. The composition seems accelerated on my skin- it goes from top to base (with a few lingering mids) in less than an hour. This would easily be too much for many people, it feels opulent and over the top. However, I can imagine how someone unique could absolutely love this.