Tales of Amber

The most recent release from Goldfield & Banks is Tales of Amber, which I first smelled at a launch event at Perfumology some weeks ago, an easygoing but classy blend that smells like a spicy, resinous, orris-laden blend that seemingly reminds some of Dior Homme or Dior Homme Parfum, but which I regard as both easier to wear and more comforting than either, something that stands out positively but can easily be sprayed a bit to excess with comfort. Additional supporting notes that add freshness, sweetness, and color are orange blossom, cinnamon, and (the resins) labdanum & oud. It manages to be sharp but not too heady, provocative but not overbearing, plentiful but not a distractive powerhouse, very good performance but not among the strongest of the house, from what I recall. Its retail pricing is among the highest of the brand (as with most of the extrait collection, which is a higher price point than the EDPs that comprise the majority of the house’s catalogue) at $319 for 100ml, with a travel size of $63 for 10ml, sold in the US at great boutiques like Perfumology. As always, the travel size is a very nice option to try before buying a bigger size, particularly since there is not a more medium-sized (i.e. 30, 50, 75ml) available. This is among the most wearable and versatile fragrances in a very wearable and versatile house, so I could see it being an example that someone could wear abundantly to warrant a 100ml size. Overall, I’m really impressed with this and it might be my very favorite of the line to date. 8 out of 10

It’s really not mass appealing, not a safe blind buy. Personally it’s not for me, I don’t like clogging undertones. I don’t know how to explain. I do see the charm but I wouldn’t wear it. It’s very sweet and clogging, a little bit heavy. I could imagine a man that likes leather jackets and motorbikes wearing it, but he’s not a biker but more a city handsome boy. Or a woman that has a lot of confidence, and maybe younger people that are really into oriental candles, clothes and that style. Although it is not for me, I do think it’s a good fragrance, and as it dried down it became less clogging and more sweet almost smelling like my mom’s make up from the 80’s. When I think about it I associate this perfume with the 80’s although I am born in the 90’s, this is just how I imagine it. So take it with a grain of salt.

The very first review of this fragrance here says "very similar to Althaïr, but lowkey better." I can only agree with the latter part of this statement. This smells NOTHING like Althaïr. But to me this is better. Definitely reminiscent of the Dior Homme line, the same lipsticky iris note being the main character for the opening at least. It then beautifully transforms into an earthier, kind of "stinky in a good way" scent. I'm absolutely memorized by this scent, and although I love so many G&B fragrances - this is the most unique and special one in my opinion, beating Silky Wood (both OG and Elixir), Ingenious Ginger, Bohemian Lime, and rivaling Sunset Hour and Pacific Rock Moss. Masterpiece.

Wait is this low-key really good? At first attempt, I got a screeching iris totally out of solution. Left a note to self “confusing scent tbh. not terrible not great.” Upon a second attempt, I got smooth salty cinnamon resting on a resinous base that never becomes overly vanilla or gourmand. The ambergris dry-down is a little addictive here. I see comps to Althair which I don’t really get (fwiw I get that much more with Silky Woods Extrait), but I maybe get some Oajan here. Frankly, I like it better than Oajan, on account of being less sweet and more woody. Not prepared to call it bottle worthy, but what a turnaround from first sniff. May have to keep a tester on hand throughout the winter.

This is incredible stuff. Starts with a buttery orris with cinnamon spice. It's not lipsticky to me. It's more buttery, a bit earthy/rooty, definitely powdery and very very smooth. Then as it settles you get a realistic orange blossom and this saltiness from ambergris that peaks through. The mix is unique and to me it smells so addicting. The drydown is a sweet but not syrupy or dense amber with a hint of vanilla/smokiness from the oud. You still get the saltiness from the ambergris and a whiff of orange blossom here and there. The sillage on this is gorgeous. I was told multiple times how delicious I smelled. Longevity and projection are superb. A home run from G&B. Love.