Cuir Amethyste

IOh boy, this one I want, but it's so expensive! It's $210 for 100mL! But I've had a think about it, and decided it's worth it. I have never smelled anything like this before. It is a masterpiece. Utterly fantastic and deserving of the award it won! Christine Nagel is one of my favourite noses, and she has not lowered her standards with this addition to the Armani Prive line. Cuir Amethyste... or "Amethyst Leather". I was told it was meant to smell like the little tin boxes the trench-soldiers had in World War II. I was also told that it's meant to smell a lot like birch bark, which I can't properly identify (I live in Australia; we don't have birch). This is a strange, wonderful fragrance. Nothing comes near it in terms of originality, olfactory structure or overall idea. I tried to think of perfumes that are similar, but its nearest cousins were miles away. The closest I got was the Tom Ford range - but I was only seeing similarities in terms of originality and "darkness", not any particular perfume. This is mysterious and dark to say the least. It has a good dose of "I'm smelling something in here, which I can't tell what it is". It is not sweet at all. What I can say is that it starts out classic and dry, and progressively becomes richer, deeper and more "purple". I know this is an unusual way of describing a scent, but I hope I'm appealing to the people who have experienced this type of colour identification before. I can actually "smell" the amethyst increasing throughout the drydown. I "feel" the purple. (I'm sorry, but I have to defend myself from the people who claim assigning a colour to a perfume is ridiculous. I'm not crazy. Synesthesia does exist: it's the mixing of different senses, which has been well documented in the scientific literature.) But I can't figure out what the purple note is... I don't think it's just the violet on its own. It is too complex and sophisticated. It's just magical! You start to smell more woods later, which I love. My advice is, if you appreciate complex, sophisticated, mature scents - then try this! But if you like the sweet, fruity, or even the floral scents they're flogging on the market all the time - keep away! I don't consider myself a perfume snob (because I recognize everyone's entitled to like what they like, based on personality and age) but I would only expect people who enjoy complex, subtle perfumes to like it as much as I do. UPDATE: the only leather scent I will ever want or need. Stuff the $258!!

Another from this line that is actually worth every bit of hype it gets. Cuir Amethyste is fantastic. I blind bought this and I regret absolutely nothing. While this combination of notes might feel familiar to women (if the “smells like” table is any indicator), Cuir Amethyste is certainly unique among any men’s/unisex scents I’ve smelled before. Admittedly, this one leans a little feminine, as the underlying vanilla might hew a bit toward sweetness, but the birch and leather work so well to balance it out that I think a lot of men could (and should) pull this off. The longevity of Cuir Amethyste is world class: 4 sprays tend to last me 24 hours. The sillage, on the other hand, isn’t terribly high. I’d venture that 4-6 sprays equate to about an arm’s length, but that suits me well. If I could liken Cuir Amethyste to a picture, or a moment, it would be best described by a comfortable walk among snowy birch trees. Maybe in late spring, when the flowers are just starting to poke through the snow. It’s comforting, it’s relaxing, but it’s also very cold, which is kind of odd for a vanilla scent in my experience. The violet, patchouli, and coriander manage to combine with the other notes for a cooling effect that keeps this fragrance kind of classy. To my mind, this is a mysterious and slightly sexy office scent or a sophisticated night out for an under-45 crowd. In the colder months, it could also be suitable for certain casual weekend activities. I didn’t think I would like this one nearly as much as I do, but Cuir Amethyste has quickly become one of my favorites among the Armani Privé line. I can’t recommend it enough.

Just when you think you've experienced the entire range of violet combinations you're hit with this. I think it's safe to say I'm a big fan of violets and this is a new accord to me, understated, powdery yet wearable and utterly enjoyable. Armani have hit the spot yet again with this juice I'd say it gives me the feeling of a Violet centric juice that really doesn't have a 'usual' (whatever that is?) violet feel. What I mean is that it will intrigue violet fans like me but is different enough to appeal to people who don't traditionally like the smell of violets. It could be the combination with rose which maybe changes the character some...you definitely get the rose as it dries down. Smoothing this out is patchouli and vanilla with the darker touch of birch which does create a kind of leathery effect. I wouldn't agree that it is a smokey leather more of a smooth suede and birch has a woody undertone which makes this smell really good on me but would be equally at home on a woman and possibly better suited. A classy Violet then which I will recommend to my friend who would love this fragrance. I wouldn't wear it though, I get my violet hit from Hommage L'Homme and Fahrenheit stuff like that.

This is an absolutely amazing and fantasticly thick fragrance that focuses on a beautiful violet and a really nice dark and smoky birch that reminds of leather. Behind that there is also a dark patchouli and some roses. Immediately when I spray it on there is a big cloud puffing up. A cloud filled with this thick mix of violet and birch. It feels like the entire apartment has transformed so the walls are made of leather, that there are big birch trees growing up from the floor and that violets, patchouli leaves and a few roses are raining down from the ceiling. Later the dark and smoky part of the birch settles down and it gets alot softer. At this point the roses gets a little bit more prominent together with a soft and very, very light, warming hint of benzoin, labdanum and vanilla. But it still is the violet and the leathery birch that has the leading role in this incredibly beautiful creation that stays on my skin all day long. Cuir Améthyste is the first fragrance I've tried from Armanis exclusive line Armani/Privē and it immediately took a place in the top together with my all time favourite fragrances. I love it!

The reviews here are very mixed, but here's what I get from my official sample vial from Neiman Marcus. This opens with a strong note of candied violets. Sweet, beautiful violets. Sometimes it smells like violet flavoured lollies, sometimes grape medicine. Within a few seconds, I start to smell an undertone of birch and what smells almost like leather. So now it's a leather-wood base, sprinkled with candied violets. As it starts to dry down, the sweetness calms down a little and the base notes come together to give you a very unique mix of woods, smoke, leather, and sweet violets. I'd even say this is almost on the same level of opulence of regality as MFK's Oud Satin Mood, though not as smooth because the notes in this don't blend too well, you can smell each one individually. I feel like if I took Feminite Du Bois and layered it with Insolence, I'd get a similar effect to this. Beautiful fragrance. I agree with the reviewer that said it smells like a baroque painting of a queen in black velvet.

I had this as a sample that I got back in Milan at a fashion show a few years ago. I remembered it being very unique and a rather well made floral chypre/oriental that lasted forever. I seriously considered buying it several times, but, I was not willing to dish out the cash for it at the time. Now, jump forward a few years and across the pond and I finally bought it. Wow! I will NEVER regret it!! I am absolutely loving it. To my nose, it is very similar to Givenchy's Amarige Mariage (minus the Jasmine) and Dolce Vita by Dior (both of which I consider Unisex as well). However, CA possesses a deeper and darker patchouli note that is tons more distinct than either of the others, Furthermore, the cinnamon note present in the other two is replaced by a lovely birch note (which I think gives it more of a leather like effect, but nothing extreme). The rose in this one really stands out - very, VERY well done throughout the dry down. 5 stars.

The moment I applied Cuir Amethyste, I was reminded of a cluster of delightful iris-cedar compositions from Heeley, Serge Lutens, et al. Turns out this is supposed to more about leather and violet! No matter, it smells very nice to my nose from start to finish. I very much enjoyed the opening as a familiar and aesthetically appealing combination. Then, as the perfume dries down, I smell more violet and less iris, but the leather remains a cedary suede. Of course, that's a good thing, to my nose, which finds dark oily leather a bit overwhelming in many perfumes. The only remaining question is: does this one cost as much as the others I love so much? Since this is from the "Privé" collection, I suspect that it does. I may have to content myself with reflecting on the memory of this lovely perfume.

I thought I had found my ultimate dark Violet scent when I bought Tom Fords Black Violet.....which I love to no end....Violet is my favourite note and I have quite a few Violet perfumes, with TF Black Violet being the cherry on the top.....But Amethyst is now right up there with TF, when I bought a mini sample I was expecting something very similar to TF, and although it IS similar, I can tell the difference.....and as such, I need a full bottle of this in my life! On first application I get Violets....then it turns into smokey/leathery Violet and its beautiful. It lasts a good 6-7 hours on me which is about normal. I wear safe floral scents for work, but I think that this would also be good for work too, its not heady or in-yer-face. It smells classy and expensive....( because it is)

Mature smelling leather scent juxtaposed with very violet flowers. Somewhat powdery because of the violet flower. The leather is velvety and suede-y. The flowers and the leather are not blended together so you can distinguish one from the other. In the same wheelhouse as L'Interdit but this smells more alluring and femme fatale. Overall it smells like lipstick on suede. Like if you pursed your lips on suede leather and some of your lipstick was left behind and scents mixed. It's a nice seductive scent. Can be worn in the morning to the office or just to promenade but I feel this will really come alive at night. Scent is linear. Longevity is moderate. Skin scent after a couple of hours. Aged 30 and up unless you're an adventurous 20 something with a villain femme fatale arc going on.

WOODSY LEATHERY VIOLET Cuir amethist is one of my new favourites of all time. Truly a master piece. I have to make room on my top shelf for this one. The leather is achieved by combining the birch and the patchouli as there is no leather in this. Gives a very realistic fresh smell of suede and a fruity resinous effect . I smell violets and a hint of coriander , it gives it sort of a purple suede , fruity effect, I adore. The rose keeps this perfume fresh ! Very much comparable to Lutens. Bois line , especially bois de violets and bois de fruit , as well as feminite de bois. Could be a close relative to those mentioned. Its luminous , dark but airy , very similar to Serge Lutens character indeed. As well as similar to Bottega Veneta . This is one of my favourite fragrances ever.

Wow! I just got this in so it’s a first impression but it’s a love at first sniff! I love the tart opening! Tart violets with a slight lipstick vibe on a bed of smooth modem leather! Very sexy. My nose also perceives the tart opening as plum and this sort of reminds me of Kate Walsh boyfriend. Less amber and more leather compared to boyfriend though. Need to spend more time with it to speak on its performance but it has above average projection. The more I wear this the more I love this! It does remind me of Insolence EDP but darker, deeper, and unisex. The powdery-ness is more of a pressed powder so it’s smooth and creamy, mixed with the birch it’s creating a suede accord. It projects strongly for a few hours then becomes a skin scent.

Leather is not my fav note, but violet is. This is more about violet than leather for me. Sweet, elegant, sensuous, mysterious. I can smell vanilla, too. Perfectly balanced, has a lot of faces - can go well with a business dress and also and can fit to a decadent black outfit for a night out for femme fatal. Leather is luxurious, smooth, velvety, a brand new handbag. Violet is a luscious pouget of the freshly picked up violets in the field. Reminds me of the violet in Tom Ford ́s Black Violet, my no.1 violet frag. Will certainly not go unnoticed although it stays close to the skin. Lasting power is average on my skin.

Oh....this is just divine! I am a huge fan of Serge Lutens Bois line (I have Feminite du Bois, Bois de Violette and Bois et Fruits because I could not decide between the 3 because I love them so) and this is extremely similar to those only more ethereal and a bit sweeter and juicier because of the fruit notes. Plus a touch of leather. It is just luscious and if you are a fan of the way SL does bois then I promise you can not go wrong with this!! Full blown swoon material for me. Total wrist sniffer!! Reminds me of a cross between Serge Lutens and Tom Ford Black Violet and Plum Japonais. Just total deep purple heaven!

An absolute dream of a perfume. Rich and creamy, beautiful labdanum leather, gorgeous really superb birch leather - lots of beautiful leather - and a glorious, velvety, soft, rich, luxurious divine rose, combined with the most beautiful patchouli! It's such and exquisite perfume, so good. So gorgeous. A beautiful powdery violet is the star performer though, soft, rich and smooth, delicate, powdery and sensuous. Feminine and alluring totally. And I adore it. Truly adore this perfume. And it lasts for ages! Always 14 hours, sometimes more, and so rich and strong, but gentle and intoxicating. Fantastic.

I have Bottega Veneta and Daim Blond and I think Cuir Amethyste sits in the middle of both of these. More akin to BV but has a slightly less deep vibe and with a slightly deeper vibe than is in Daim Blonde. Overall, in separate reviews I have said I prefer Daim Blonde over Bottega Veneta but if it came down to the wire I prefer Cuir Amethyste over Bottega Veneta and Daim Blonde. It combines the best elements of both. A tiny spray goes a long way.

This Christmas I decided to pamper myself with a luxus perfume and this is the one I've been yearning for some years . Now I'm a happy owner of this beauty. This is such an opulent, elegant, precious scent. It's so lovely that me, an ordinary person can enjoy such richness of life with this scent. This is truly a masterpiece, unique and indeed, unisex. My son also was very impressed by this and wanted to lend it from me. Highly recommend!

Voici le genre de parfum qui ne ressemble pas aux autres, il a vraiment un truc de spécial que l'on peut sentir dés les premières seconde après vaporisation... un cuir mélanger avec de la bergamote, de la violet et de la rose, la vanille avec du poudrée... sincèrement c'est un parfum dur a exprimer, il est doux et fort a la fois. c'est un parfum mystérieux et dangereusement séducteur

I just got a bottle of this from Neiman Marcus, after sampling it about a month ago (sample was sent to me by a generous reviewer). The bottle that I have has been reformulated; the birch is almost nonexistent, and the bergamot does not come through as well as it did before. It’s still beautiful, but not like it used to be. The performance took a small hit as well.

sweet cozy comfort leather with a hint of violet (which is not prominent on my skin) and patchouli. Superb for me. It is warm and strong at the same time but I would call it more expensive than exceptional. It is not a loud scent but a person who wears it won't get unnoticed. Flowers held in hands in leather gloves.

It has a strong sharp opening with the wood but the drydown is just immaculate, tasty. I loved it, i sprayed only 2-3 and it has been 5-6 hours since i sprayed it, it smells amazing. It has a really calm and safe but also kinda sexy and rich vibe. I love it, gonna buy a big boytle A$AP