Ambre Precieux

What is there to say about this? It's stunning. One of the very best true ambers, and I've tried many. Seriously, dozens-designer to the highest end niche. It's pure quality in every way, STRONG (beastmode even), rich, balsamic, deep, smooth, luscious, velvety, almost leathery, dark (a nocturne amber, not totally black as the night but very out-there is just a bit, a perfect amount, of luminosity-the flicker of a candle or fireplace and the glow of moonlight in an otherwise dark room), chewy, just the right amount of sweet. EVERYTHING you want in an amber. But this is not the only amber that fits these descriptors (though it is one of the few). What sets it apart from other top favorite ambers such as TF amber absolute is that there is a hint of something fresh and very natural in the opening, bergamot perhaps? It might sound discordant but it's what makes me want to buy this asap, so unique and exactly what dark rich balsamic amber has been missing! Don't get me wrong, this fresh note is also dark in it's own way and you don't smell it too much when you sniff your wrist, or even all the time, but you do get extremely pleasant surprise wafts of it here and there. It adds the perfect drop of airiness to an otherwise impossibly thick, chewy amber. It also makes this work in warmer seasons (most ambers in this style I crave exclusively during late fall/winter). Phenomenal. 10/10. Edit: could the mysterious fresh airy note be a particularly fresh form of lavender? The more I sniff, the more I think so. Real lavender of high quality (the type I have only smelled growing in a field, never before in perfume) definitely has a non sweet citrusy bergamot nuance to me. I don't usually like lavender in perfume but even this note is pf exceptional quality here. Another thing I failed to mention- though myrrh and amber is not a particularly unusual pairing, it is utterly delicious here. I'm convinced that only the highest quality raw materials are used in this perfume as each note, and I loved them all, is truly of exceptional quality here. The tolu and Peru balsams as well. I LOVE these notes and can smell them strong and clear here, especially as it dries down. It's easier for me to pick out tolu balsam vs Peru simply because I have much more experience with it, and this is probably the most delicious tolu balsam I have ever smelled. If you are a fan of this note, it's worth seeking out a sample of this perfume just for that. Not just for amber lovers! Edit 2: yes it is similar to HdP ambre 114 but much deeper and darker and even more swoon worthy. And I say this as a massive fan of ambre 114.

I am a big 'ol amber snob and since this composition is touted as one of the kings of Amber: I blind bought it. I have the new clear bottle (not the red glass) for the purposes of this review. Right out of the gate I get a citrusy lavender and inoffensive amber with no petroleum vibe. The scent quickly develops for me into more of a resinous suede sweet fougere-than a straight amber beast. At first Wearing I was disappointed that it wasn't an amber bomb which is what some reviewers and descriptions led me to believe. I have since, several wearing later come to love this interesting take, not as an Amber but as a unique composition in the aforementioned resin-suede-sweet fougere with traces of tobacco almost ala Dyptique Volutes edt. Just throw the note pyramid out the window along with Loree Rodkin's Gothic II which now to me smells like a brutish attempt at powering up this scent with more headshop dragonsblood incense. There is a quiet mastery at work here that doesn't scream for attention and doesn't mind if your first impression isn't head over heels. This is definitely the "stable boyfriend" of Amber based scents. It may not be exhilarating in the back seat of the limo-sort of way, but it will never do you wrong. Well done. Scent: 7.5/10 sophisticated and well crafted with subtle evolving transition. Not too sweet or green or medicinal. Projection: 6/10 it isnt a beast but it is pretty consistent with it's performance at rest. Sillage: 4/10 averaged. Good for the first hour or two but backs off to a close encounter scent around hour 4. Longevity: 7/10 lasts about 7 hours on my skin before needing reapplication or replacement. Would I buy another bottle? Yes I would. It's too versatile and well made to not deserve a place in the collection.

Where I live we don't have the chance to sample any of these fragrances, so after reading many blogs I came to think this would be a good fragrance... but just out of fantasies and expectations. I feared though it could lead towards the heavy vanilla some ambers display (I had in mind Jaipur as an example of this) or smell too herbal... well well, I got this so here's reality (IMHO): I love Ambre Precieux! I find it has the right amount of everything not to be cloyingly sweet, not too vanillic, not too... not too... and so it succeeds as a staple. Highly wearable and modern. I don't find this particularly sexy, it is so smooth I can't add any triple x to it. Still, it deserves its praise all the way to the moon and back. There is a leather-like note in the beginning which I may be confusing with some of amber ingredients? (labdanum perhaps?). Whatever it is, I like! I got this after becoming addicted to L'air du desert marocain, which I would call the Ambre precieux on anabolic diet twin. They are very similar but where one of the brothers is a strip dancer, the other is the quiet and studious type. I seriously go for both (perfumes lol). Sometimes we need and extra x, sometimes we want an extra mark. Prominent amber seems to be a new beloved note of mine. PS: don't expect this to be strong. I find it deliciously subdued. Noticeable, but elegantly calm-.

Glowing Amber 🌟🌠 Today I want to share an excellent oldies creation. An amber based fragrance by the house of Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier founded in 1988 called Ambre Précieux. It is among their first lineups launched in that year. I'm still a toddler when this perfume was launched back then👶. On the initial spray a beautiful combination of myrrh and lavender gives a spicy powdery kicks to the nostrils like starter dish served as an entry for our eating experience before enjoying the main course. This fragrance is multifaceted and progress wonderfully. After half an hour the opening start to fade away and open up to a wonderful aroma of soft vanilla. The dry powdery opening transform into gooey resinous texture. This phase reminds me of the beautiful MFK Grand Soir. When progressing to drydown the warm balsamic amber notes comes to shine making this fragrance richer and denser. The amber here feels sunny and quite uplifting although there is a cozy side of it, I call it glowing amber. This fragrance will satisfy both amber or powdery scent lovers. It can be wear in spring/winter day or night. I also find slight similarity in overall experience to Frederic Malle - Musc Ravageur which is more full on gourmand and more appropriate for night-time. I have both and they are excellent on its own. #vscentorientreview

Ambre Precieux is another monumental creation by my beloved house of MPG. Most of its distinctive offerings (Parfum d'Habit, Eau des Iles, Racine, Santal Noble, etc) possess an invaluable retro vibe that creates (upon application) an instant link between my present busy self and the romantic sentimental me, back in the "gadget-free" decade of the late 80's - early 90's. AB has been no exception. Ambre Precieux treats my olfactory system with immeasurable tenderness. It opens with a beautiful note of herbaceous lavender coupled with an abundance of succulent amber supported by myrhh & vanilla. This composition may sound simple yet it is anything but. The usual suspects typically used to recreate the "aroma" of amber result in forming a multi-faceted & super rich aromatic profile. Ambre Precieux starts velvety sweet, emitting a balmy caramelised vibe that feels extremely full bodied & enveloping. As time passes this accord is enriched with spices, some incense & a discreet presence of a variety of resinous & woody nuances that encompass the smoky vanilla & the opulent amber, therefore creating a retro oriental nostalgic & calming sensation. Temperamental yet discreet, luscious yet refined, Ambre Precieux defines a class of its own. 9/10