Ottoman Amber

#1572 in my "Tour de Fragrance" I got a decant of this scent from scentsplit.com for $3.99. Full bottles were going for around $85 from jomashop.com, though I see they are now out of stock. Early on in my tour I was doing EDTs and Guess "1981 Los Angeles" was kind of similar to this, as was Ferrari "Black." Among EDPs I've tried since, Dolce & Gabbana "Velvet Amber" is in this ballpark (If you like a sharp Ylang Ylang. I don't.). Also Bond No 9 "Dubai Garnet" with blackberry and plum, though the rose in that one makes it too feminine for me. Add pineapple and cognac and you have Dumont "Nitro Intense", which for me is very wearable. I'm also a fan of Natura "Eccencial Mirra." If you want to lose the fruitiness altogether there's Serge Lutens "Ambre Sultan", a brute force amber, and Armaf "Niche Oud" which has a nice iris note. The king of the amber mountain for me is Maison Francis Kirkdjian, "Grand Soir", which is a bit rich for many folks wallets, but there are a half dozen inexpensive and passable dupes out there. One of them, Fragrance World "Barrakat Ambre Eve", smells more like this Merchant of Venice scent than it smells like Grand Soir, but it lacks the myrrh note that I like in "Ottoman Amber." I think this Merchant of Venice scent comes closer to taking Grand Soir's amber title than any of the others I mentioned. Granted, the opening was a bit much for me. As one reviewer described it: "syrupy plum." But as it dried and developed I found it enjoyable, as did those who smelled it on me. Some of the scents that had to grow on me are among my favorites specifically because of the positive reaction they got from women. I strongly suggest you get a decant before buying this, try it out around significant others, especially the guys, as it's kind of fruity/feminine in the first half hour. For me this is date wear only, not business wear. You get about four to five hours before it's a 100% skin scent, but do not overspray. It would get cloying, especially for the first hour, if you go heavy. For guys I'd do a light application in the morning and again at lunch if you're going to wear this at work. Women could get away with using more. Good Luck and Good Hunting!

Had the chance to try today in Douglas some of the Merchant of Venice fragrances and from the entire collection that was on display, Ottoman Amber, Venetian Blue, Vinegia 21 and Imperial Peacock were the stand outs! Some suitable for fall/winter and the others more for spring and summer. Ottoman Amber is a stunning myrrh centric perfume. Warm, deep, resinous, sweet, balsamic, vanillic, with noticeable plum, rose and patchouli accents as supporting notes. If you’re looking for a warm, amber, resinous scent with a rich, sweet plum, which is one of my favourites fruit in perfumes and IRL, get yourself a bottle of Ottoman Amber, it’s undeniably good... From my experience, I think this scent is 100% unisex and as soon as fall comes I will definitely buy myself a bottle of this beauty... If you are also loving perfumes like Ambre Sultan, Encens Suave, Vanagloria or other Merchant of Venice creation’s Andalusian Soul, I believe Ottoman Amber is a safe blind buy. It’s not an exact dupe of any of these scents but they coexist in the same ambery, warm, balsamic universe! Gorgeous!! At the time of writing this review, Douglas had some Merchant of Venice fragrances for 40% off. Plus a selection of Gritti and Xerjoff, so if you’re interested in these three Italian niche houses, check your local Douglas. Edit 03.08.2025 Added this gorgeous scent to my collection. Smells absolutely delightful!

This majestic and audacious composition opens with the citrus notes of bergamot, which are then sweetened by floral touches of geranium and plum. The original colour of the sandalwood ingredient is suggestively mirrored in the brown tones throughout the pattern on the glass bottle. Masterly merged with patchouli, the same ingredient gives pride and intensity to the fragrance. The passionate combination of vanilla with labdanum reveals the richness of Ottoman Amber, a noble fragrance that takes its inspiration from a far-away and dream-like world. Beautiful.

A classic reference amber of extreme tenacity - powerful, but close quartered. Rich, without mud in the depth. A brief touch of citrus opens this audacious composition, quickly making way for the sweet, floral heart of plum and geranium. A sandalwood accord is suggestively mirrored by the brown tones throughout the patterned glass bottle. Here, sandalwood is masterly merged with the intensity of patchouli, laudanum and vanilla. A noble fragrance that takes its inspiration from a far-away land.

This is tremendous. I quite like Grand Soir and Ambre Sultan. But I love this one. It can be worn year round, I wore it to the Canary islands this year and it did not overpower like the other 2 I named would. This is not a huge projector, but you'll have a very pleasant bubble around you for hours. Niche Oud gives a similar sort of scent, and is great on a budget. But this is the best amber I have ever experienced. Backup bottle bought. I might even get a third.