Amberwood

Holy smokes. Prada luna Rossa black has been my daily wearer for quite some time. I'm on my 4th bottle of it, if that gives you some indication of my affection for this DNA. I also own Bvlgari Black, Midnight in Paris, and Aigner Black - all with similar DNA. I'm pretty intimately familiar with the DNA. This, though...THIS...is NOT Prada Black, as so many other people before me have said. Yes, that "burnt rubber" DNA is there, but this is sooooooo much more. This is a much more complex, much higher quality, much better projecting and lasting version of the DNA. It is amped up in every way possible and exceeds my expectations based on everything I had read here prior to purchase. Of course, like everyone else, I was hesitant to buy Amberwood given the price per ounce. Definitely not a bargain/cheapie, but if you can score it for a significant discount (Jomashop has really great pricing currently, comparatively) it is absolutely worth owning even if you reserve it for special occasions. I get heavy spice in the opening - I swear it's cinnamon, but cinnamon is not in the notes list. Perhaps it's the pink pepper, but I still get cinnamon. The wood notes combined with the oud give me strong TF Oud Wood vibes at times, especially after the drydown. And I also get minty sensations that remind me of JPG Le Male shortly after the opening into the mid. So much going on here, and every bit of it is "like" or "love". Nothing here that I dislike at all besides the price. Honestly, this is a pretty far departure from Prada Black IMO; definitely would not say that if you own Prada Black you shouldn't try Amberwood. Prada is my first love, but this is my side chick. Sillage is insane. I am a heavy sprayer. I'm normally a 15 spray kinda guy with Prada Black and most of my other frags, but 5 or 6 sprays of Amberwood is all I need and it is a monster with that number of sprays. My gym bro said he could smell me before he saw me the other day when I wore it to the gym. I'd say I can understand why most people consider this more of a cooler weather/evening/special occasion scent, but I will 100% wear it anytime regardless of temperature or occasion. It's currently daytime and summer here and I'm wearing it all day. 100% love.

I find this to be an understated, refined and classy woody amber with a soft powdery background and a touch of spice. There’s nothing particularly new or groundbreaking here but it still smells wonderful nonetheless. In fact, I find it quite addictive if you can get over the ridiculous price, although bargains are to be had. I think it’s very balanced, being neither too sweet nor too dry. It has a warmth about it without being sickly sweet as some tobacco and amber fragrances often are. I detect the subtle ambroxan in the background, which I like very much. The powdery background lends a slight softness. Upon my first wearing, several people commented how good I smelt. I feel this leans slightly masculine and is fairly versatile as it’s not heavy or overbearing although it’s probably more suited to winter and autumn evenings. I don’t have any problems with performance. It’s fairly subtle but still noticeable and it lasts me all day long. I’m not sure I could justify full asking price for this, even though I love it but I got a bottle with a good discount and it’s fast becoming one of my favourites. As with all CC fragrances, the presentation is wonderful too.

Say what you want about the brand being overpriced (I agree) but this is one of the better amber fragrances I've smelled. Full disclosure, I'm mostly apathetic to amber in general as it's never really interested me much. This one ( along with Coromandel and Grand Soir) I would wear regularly in the cooler weather. It smells rich but not sweet. The tobacco is a player and is the refined kind like you'd find in something like Herod. No raw funk whatsoever like in Tobacco Out or Tauer Sundowner. It's fairly linear, but the vanilla and light brown sugar open up on my skin. They did an excellent job blending and masking the ambroxan. You almost can't smell it, but if you put your nose up close and focus you can detect it. The whole thing smells like it's been lightly caramelized in a way. Great release. Downside: performance kinda sucks. You have to overspray for projection and it disappears on my skin quickly. Scent 7.6/10 Performance 4/10

This is one of the best amber scents ive ever smelled and ive smelled many, i tried mixing not a perfume with rivre d'ambre , nope. tried grand soir. nope. this amberwood scents is in a league of its own, its beautifully creamy and excellently blended. ive managed to find it on discount in the Netherlands and am sure its on discount in other shops in Europe so keep an eye out for the discounts as the full bottle will make your wallet feel suicidal! Overall i got at least 10 compliments (I'm not after those, I'm complimenting the perfume and that's all i need) on first wearing. It lasts a long time but your nose can go blind to it. 10/10 is and understatement, its a solid Blonde Amber is the boozy version of this, I'm not into boozy scents but if you guys are check that one out as well This really smells like Amouage - Material

SCENT: A king's Prada Luna Rossa Black LONGEVITY/PERFORMANCE: Lasts about 10 hours and has a very subtle but noticeable sillage OCCASIONS: I use it as a cool-weather signature, but it can just be for special occasions. RATING: 10/10 I've always been a big fan of Luna Rossa Black. I always use it on dates and what not, but as a frag head, there was something missing from it to be my signature. With Amberwood, Clive Christian takes the Luna Rossa Black DNA, and makes it so much more rich, complex, and better performing using better quality ingredients and additional notes, such as tobacco. I get that the retail price is a problem, but when you can get this for $250 off discounters, this fragrance is worth every penny.