The Library Collection Opus II

Now, for a less poetic breakdown: The scent opens with a big dose of bay laurel and pepper, although even these have an airiness about them as they are lifted by a translucent lavender note that is not immediately detectable. Soon the lavender weaves its way into the opening accord but it's unlike any lavender note I've ever experienced, it is so ethereal and again, translucent; perhaps the best word for it is crystalline. It is not herbal or overly aromatic like the lavender note in Oxford and Cambridge, it is not heavy and thick and stuffy like it is in the opening of so many 80s men's scents. It is just.. crystalline. Underneath this is a note that is not fully discernable but it adds a bit of darkness and greenness and ups the aromatic factor of the opening: I am quite sure this is the absinthe note at play, which I think may be a combination of actual wormwood oil (which is aromatic, slightly minty, and very green) and a star anise note. The opening is simultaneously spicy and smooth, filled with a number of heavy essences that are rendered in such an airy and translucent way that it really does, for me at least, evoke the sensation of cool winter wind against the skin. Cardamom soon becomes apparent and it is rendered smoothly and very natural, akin to the cardamom note in Invasion Barbare. Yes, Amouage has, at least in Opus II, really upped the quality and natural factor of their ingredients. While I've always loved Amouage, I have to admit that some of their scents are more synthetic than some/most of the offerings of other ultra high end houses like Xerjoff or MCDI. Amouage though, always had the ultra-lush and luxurious factor, and always put their synthetics to good use and hid them quite well amongst the naturals. Still, this scent feels like a step up in quality from the other Amouages, although it is not as lush or luxe as some of them, but that is due solely to the genre of scent. It definitely feels as high quality and natural as any of the Xerjoffs, not something I could say about many/any of the previous Amouages. If Rive Gauche were a Lexus, Opus II is an Aston Martin. The usage of cinnamon here is absolutely the best I've ever smelled - it is so real and even a bit woody (this is the whole cinnamon stick), but it feels as if the scent was merely dusted with this freshly ground cinnamon stick. Again, a very ethereal usage of a note that really helps keep the shimmering, magical effect of the fragrance alive. At the same time that the cinnamon becomes more prominent, the anisey note of the absinthe accord becomes stronger and joins with a very muted jasmine and rose and perhaps some labdanum and a hint of vanilla from the base to create a very natural smelling rendition of the 'shaving cream accord' in Rive Gauche. I always loved the idea of Rive Gauche but found it a bit synthetic, especially that cream accord. I didn't know you could make such a natural smelling cream accord. I should mention that here it is not quite so upfront and center as it is in RG - it is present and definitely is a large contributor to the texture during the middle phase, but it stands far enough back to still let the cardamom, lingering bay, dusty hints of cinnamon, and lingering lavender (now joined by a lavender absolute note) to lead the play. This continues down into the base where the woods pick up with intensity slightly. It's hard to pick out exactly what is going on as the whole of it is so carefully blended that no notes really stand out at this point. The opening and heart have such extreme clarity and separation of the notes (and yet, when taken together as a whole, they all work perfectly, too) and in the base they begin to meld together the way that it's hard to pick out the individual spices that go into a great chai tea. It is a soft base, the creamy aspect is still present, and there is a hint of spices still but they are completely smooth by now, no piquancy left. The lavender absolute note (a sweeter, softer, more coumarinic lavender note than the essential oil) is detectable, and the anise is too, slightly, and there is a hint of smoke from the incense. It is so peaceful - this is the warmth I alluded to in the poetic review, escaping the bitter cold of the outside (which was magical in its own way) and cherishing the newfound warmth and comfort of the sanctuary of home. I should add that the anise note is never so strong or out in the open that I think it would render the scent unenjoyable by those who don't like anise. It's truly a background player and, while noticeable if you are really looking for it, does not jump out and scream or misbehave in any way. Fans of Rive Gauche or Fou d'Absinthe absolutely need to check this out. edit: It's been a long time since I've been so moved by a fragrance. It's also been a long time since I knew, so quickly, that I absolutely would have to own a scent after testing it just once. I have no idea how I'm going to afford this! Santa, all I want for Christmas this year is a bottle of Opus II. I'll be really really good, I promise!! Please?!

I must say that I am overwhelmed after having tested Opus II. It is a magnificent, beautiful fougere. In short, it smells something like a cross between Rive Gauche PH and Fou d’Absinthe, the two not blended together but instead a new formula inspired by the two, created with an unlimited budget and blended by God himself. The notes of Opus II may sound generic but are woven together with such careful precision and subtlety that they literally dance on the skin in an olfactory equivalent of the glimmering iridescent display of light dancing across a most exquisite piece of abalone. This is a fragrance that is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. You know that feeling of magic that sometimes washes over you during the winter season? There is an utter, almost eerie, stillness in the air, and all the earth is asleep, and the quiet and solitude do not leave you feeling alone so much as they magnify your own sense of self, your own awareness of life and existence? The way we rush from the car into the houses of friends and families to escape the bitter cold, and are met with the wonderful scent of chai tea, cinnamon sticks and apple cider, christmas trees, bay leaves and mistletoe. The warmth of friendship. All of that; all of the wonderful and beautiful elements of winter have seemingly been distilled. That is Opus II. Yes, truly a wonderful fougere that shimmers and floats above the skin, and will remind you, if you are so inclined to listen, that magic really does still exist.

This is the epitome of the genre, and marries tradition with modern flair. I didn't like this the first couple of times I wore it, and it's because I sprayed too much. It was so sharp, so dense, I just couldn't bear it. But after showering I could still smell the patchouli drydown and I was blown away by how dark and rooty it seemed. So I wore Opus II a couple more times, with careful, restrained application, and my god I love it. It's a finely tuned, finely honed take on masculine belters from the 80s, shone through the Amouage prism. It has the best dark, non-gourmand patchouli I've come across, and is one of the only Amouages I've smelled that has absolutely no sweetness, a diamtetic opposite to their other perfumes in this respect. It does share some commonality wit Epic Man, but this one is much more wearable and timeless, to me at least. And it also reminded me somewhat of Bois Mystérieux, although when I smelled them side by side this one was way darker and more serious, and ultimately I find Bois Mystérieux quite grating, with the same synthetic oud base as Oud Essentiel. There is no synthetic, scratchy, bothersome note in Opus II. Re. performance, for me this is epically strong and persistent. I tend to prefer less beastly fragrances but I can make an exception for something as good as this, and actually the projection is polite even though it lasts forever.

Opus II is an aromatic fougère with a woody-amber base, traditionally masculine in style but exemplarily crafted. Rich and complex, made with the highest quality ingredients, it is what I'd expect from Amouage. It is sadly discontinued now, and is a relic from Christopher Chong's time at the helm of the brand - the golden years for Amouage. OII opens with bitter, herbal wormwood and a strong lavender note that initially dominates this scent. The pepper notes add a light spiciness that gives it a lift at its opening stages. The slightly sharp lavender mellows as it progresses, joined by warm, rich spices. Cardamom acts as a progression of the peppery opening, while sweet cinnamon rounds it out. The florals add bulk, but are relegated to the background. The herbal green accord is forest-like, increasing earthy as it develops. It is crisp and refined here. The drydown is perhaps the best part of OII, an incense-led rich amber accord, punctuated by earthy patchouli. Dry woody notes follow, enhancing the incense to perfection. It becomes musky as it fades, eventually becoming a single-note ambroxan skin scent. Sillage and longevity are moderate. A luxurious barbershop fougère with foresty facets and an incense-les amber base, OII is a top-notch transeasonal masculine scent, masterfully composed. Complex yet cohesive, I would really enjoy this on a man. 4.5/5.

When I smelt it from my tester I burst into laughter. Why? Because I immediately recognised this is one of the best things I have ever smelt!!! I couldn't believe my nose! What the heck did I just smell? My goodness, this is so perfectly beautiful and enjoyable, I'm just out of words... And I bought the whole bottle right after. I shouldn't have bought it because I already had too many scents but leaving this "unbought" seemed like a crime I could never forget and forgive myself. How are things like this, such smells, even possible? Was it more Amouage/Chong or Michèle Saramito, I don't know but whatever their collaboration, the result is absolutely stunning. I've had similar reactions to Bvlgari's Tygar (I only bought a dupe which is as good) and Bvlgari's Mon Jasmine Noir L'Eau Exquise (bought the full bottle too) and with a few others a bit less. All these are seven points out of five. Regarding the listed notes, I smell something uniquely sweet (maybe lavender is closest to it) and that's it -- no need to decompose it, it is just a perfect mixture, whatever the components.