Ambergris

The task of describing this fragrance is the task of describing a note that's at once so singular and so complex that it defies easy comparison: somewhere between creamy, musky, vanilla adjacent, with a little nuttiness and an animalic pong. Altogether, it's unlike anything else. Decadent and rich without being overwhelming. Warm, but paradoxically light and even cool in certain wafts. Of course, I have no idea how this compares to real ambergris, but this synthetic version is wonderful. My favorite Demeter so far. Perhaps you'll recognize it from elsewhere; Ambergris reminds me of old school Old Spice aftershave, in which the ambergris/ambroxan note features heavily (or so I am told). I also remember this note lurking underneath Creed's Bois du Portugal, enriching its complexity. But the single note here (don't be misled by Fragrantica's listing, it's a misreading of the Demeter website's description) stands well on its own. I find it comforting and cozy on a cold day. Moderate projection, and persists at that level for around 6 hours, then as a skin scent for much longer. Perhaps that's a surprise for a Demeter, but this is a base note, so there you have it. At some point I'd love to play around with using Ambergris to enhance other perfumes, especially the ones with weak base notes. I hope to report back if I ever have any success in this endeavor.

This has to be one of the best, if not the best, scent that Demeter has done. Niche snobs may snicker, but this stuff really does give you a feeling of an ambergris base and not everyone can afford perfumes with ambergris or even the pricey ones with a synthetic version. It’s got that musky, salty, earthy vanilla-like slightly spicy ambergris scent that I smell regularly in more pricey perfumes. It is great to wear on its own or as a base for layering. It doesn’t last very long because it is Demeter and extremely affordable so you can’t expect powerhouse performance for this price. But at this price you can spray it on as often as you like. Really great cheapie!!

A recent purchase and already in my top 5 Demeter scents (I probably own at least 60.) To me this is a carnal, musky scent with a hint of vanilla and spice. I use the roll-on perfume oil as a base for other scents, and sometimes on its own depending on my mood. I have not tried the actual perfume spray since they tend not to last long from this company. It works really nicely with Bonfire and more recently I've been using it with Elvira's Zombie which is pretty fantastic. I first tried Amber from Demeter and while I like it, this is better. Just feels a bit sexier and definitely muskier. I highly recommend!

Wow- first impressions. My first Demeter. Had to try the Ambergris because I love ambroxan. This is TOTALLY different than ambroxan! It's sweeter, creamier, deeper, more complex. Its salty, sweet, and the vanilla makes it creamy. I even get a smoky effect somewhat. It's going to work great for layering. I love ambroxan, but this is on a new level. Just wanted to get my first impressions/thoughts down, as I'm already impressed! $20 for 120ml is a great deal- I know these are lower in concentration, but I feel this one is going to last. We shall see. So excited to try this. Such an interesting scent!!!

I'm pretty new to fragrance, so I don't really have the language to fully describe this as well as I'd like. It smells quite sweet but not in a gourmand way. There's a vanilla note and maybe a bit of maple syrup and caramel. I think there's something spicy or incense-like under all the sweetness as well as something that reminds me of the smell of an old book. I quite like it, but it doesn't last very long at all, which is a real shame.

I have tried this because I was curious about what Ambergris smells of, and while I absolutely hate real ambergris (tried Baccara Rouge after loving Demeter so much), this is lovely. Its a little bit similar, but sweeter, more vanilla. The ambergris is recognisable but only faintly. Longevity is fantastic with this one - I sprayed this twice this morning at 8am and can still smell it now at 10pm.

Opens warm, sweet vanilla, but countered by dusty/powdery smoke. The two contrast interestingly from opposite extremes. As it settles, notes of tobacco, cowboy leather, wood tar, and nuttiness build. Unifies to have a cozy mature spice like a sweater in an old, used bookstore. Classy, but comforting. Solid strength and projection.

Okay this one is not horrible like the rest I bought. The opening is horribly alcoholic - which seems to be the theme with this brand, that is not even the worst thing about the opening. Its this weird dusty playdough synthetic overly sweet vanilla. I love vanilla, but this is yuck. Like really yuck. Fortunately it gets better in couple minutes and it starts to smell what I Imagine Ambergris smell like - Perhaps it shouldnt be so sweet, the initial sweetness stays but goes from vanilla to somewhat coconut smell. I think its quite weak and while the scent is nice despite being synthetic, I wouldnt wear it, it gives vintage vibes and I think 80yo grandma would pull this off really well. I am currently trying it as base layer to jpg le beau - because I think it would go well with the coconuty vibe, but despite doing 5 Sprays of ambergris on one le beau it just smells like le Beau, but slightly more synthetic? Idk I have to test it further, this one might have some potential the rest I will sell because the Gourmand single scents are ass. Its also very oily, I woudlnt spray clothes...

I don't know what ambergris smells like. But I wanted to... so I bought this. This, to me, smells like whiskey with maybe a few faint notes added. So I can't say if it smells like ambergris. Smells like whiskey when first sprayed. Settles to its other notes after a few minutes. It's ok, but I probably wouldn't have bought it if I'd sampled it first. If this is what ambergris smells like then ambergris is no big deal😅

I love ambergris. It's one of my favorite notes. This just turned funky after a while and began to develop a smell that was way too fecal. I don't want to smell like I don't wash between the cheeks. No thanks.

I’m not really sure what it smells of. It’s not unpleasant fragrance but it is not great either. Smells more like some kind of cleaning supplies. Luckily it doesn’t last long.

HORRIBLE. I blind bought this trying to get into niche frags but it smells like pure vanilla. Like if you poured pure nausea vanilla and amber onto your skin. I wore it one day and have never looked at an amber fragrance the same, I dont know If I will ever wear a vanilla prominent fragrance ever again.

another review just to let you know Im bout to barf

Wearing this today for the first time. It’s been on 4 hours. At first spray I sort of smelled coconut, like a warm salty coconut. But within a minute that was gone, leaving what I still have 4 hours later: it’s a neutral, mineral-ish (salty?) pleasant scent with a very faint undercurrent of vanilla. I also get some type of wood, not cedar. Just a bit of lumbar like in Home Depot, faintly, in a good way. Neutral is the word that keeps coming to me. At 4 hours, it’s very much a skin scent for my nose only, but I am definitely getting wafts frequently. I feel like this likes the heat of skin for sure. I plan to buy a full bottle (I ordered samples from Demeter). It’s very pleasant. I think it smells like Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume’s cousin, or maybe 2nd cousin. Like they’re family, but it’s kind of distant. To me this is softer than Not A Perfume (I’m a fan of NAP). I can really see layering this but also I think it’s worthy of being a stand-alone on days you just want to smell pleasant.

What I mostly get with this is leather with some wood and tar touches. I didn't detect salt and it doesn't smell like my other ambergris perfumes, but I haven't smelled ambergris by itself. There is a animalic minky note to this that in the end was too much like unwashed skin for me, but it's not an unpleasant smell; no body odor here. But the skin oil combined with the leather aspects is very intimate. Lasts much longer than other Demeters I've tried. I would rate this a five if I liked it more, but it gets a stellar 4 and a half stars for what Demeter achieved here. An excellent mixer that will base-out other fragrances. I can totally see this bringing some of the lighter Jo Malone scents to life.

This scent reminds me of my 85 year old aunt, she has always worn something exactly like this so it feels quite vintage to me. I love the price and the fact that it has ambergris in the notes (and it's very noticeable) but i can't decide where to wear it. Not sexy enough for a date, not clean enough for everyday use. I'll probably give it to my aunt who will appreciate and use it more, i think.

I love this smell so so so much! Indescribably beautiful and such a bargain. But unfortunately, there is an ingredient in it that has bad chemistry on me. After 2-3 hours all I get is stink. It's not the perfume, just that ingredient. I have the same problem with other perfumes and creams. I can only highly recommend it to others! And hope they don't get this skin chemistry.

I’ve never had the privilege of smelling real ambergris. This perfume is a blend of white musk, amber, vanilla, and the faint background of something woody, maybe a gentle spice. It reminds me of the smell of an old book in the best way. It’s a cozy fragrance, and sweet without being saccharine. I like to layer it with Sel Marin to give it a salty tang.

Starts off a very softly sweet warm vanilla and eventually shifts into a salty musky scent with vanilla undertones. It's a warm scent. I like it and will wear it but my boyfriend finds it too sweet. It last several hours and even longer on clothes which is very surprising for demeter.

Really nice different fragrance. I’m not familiar with real ambergris, but really enjoy this one, mixes nicely with vanilla, woody or citrus fragrances