Amber Star

This was a real surprise. I almost certain it was different to a previous time I tested it, but anyhow I will rate it on this try. It opens rich and sweet. That is already a positive. It's a mildly odd sort of sweet; like a sugary but light dessert of some sort. Not too oriental, just sweet and mild, it's a bit like a fragrant rice pudding at the start. A bit starchy, not powdery but appealing and safe even. But then, it develops after an hour into a beautiful rich, still sweet resinous amber. Addiciting and chewy sort, syrupy almost. Also, that dessert accord never really goes away; I like it. I definitely get strong tones of vanilla and benzoin over anything floral and there's near to absolutely nothing pungent, herbal green or oudhy here. It has the faintest whiff of that floral background of HDP's Ambre 114 at the end, which adds a nice touch. But now it's mainly the sweet vanilla and ambegris accords staying. Very impressive. I love amber but am somehow very fussy over them, they have to be Perfect for me, and this one nearly fully does it My rating: 9/10

Osmophor~ you are so right about this fragrance. Never have I been so in love with a fragrance. If it were possible, it would haunt my dreams (in a beautiful way, that is). I have been on the fence about taking the plunge because it is only sold in the cofrette with Star Musk, which I like but the affinity isnt as strong and as compelling as Amber Star. I have purchased other scents, including 24 Gold, trying to come close to this beauty, but to no avail. 24 Gold or Kalemat don't come close, they're not even close to scratching the surface of being on the same level in quality, complexity, presence and overall performance. I have several GWP samples from Luckyscent that I layer with Naxos or Sospiro and have received numerous compliments. Xerjoff knows how to do it right, that's for sure. In the meantime, I'm seriously considering Alexandria II which is equally as lovely.

Sweet? It's not sweet. I don't like being forced to wait at least 3 hours to be able to judge a scent. This opens with a dry, pungent cedar aka; with nuances of rubber tyre. So dull, still, nothing moving. Bland musty greyness almost (is this the 'ambergris'?? Yes the vanilla and ambergris 'come out to play' to make a #beautiful #rich swirl of #cosyness, #refined decadance and #opulent resinous woods - but by that time my girl/date would have long left me after smelling YSL homme on a flamboyant passer-by. Oh, and I'd be £220 worse off. Rubbish My rating: 4/10 Testing courtesy of Selfridges department store, London

Amber Star has, unquestionably, the Xerjoff DNA, It's interesting that the reviews make this one out to be a polarizing scent. I don't find this to be the case at all. It is not in the same league with Black Sukar, but then very few fragrances from any house are. This one seems something that can be worn without offending most who in the room. It is one of the best ambergris fragrance I have tried. It is long lasting but not a silage beast. I am glad to have tried this one and will consider purchasing a full bottle. It is unisex and can be worn in any season. This is a Chris Maurice that is special.

Such a beautiful scent. Xerjoff sent me a few samples for free after a few emails. i have to say this is such a beautiful night out scent preferablly formal. It's a load of woods and vanilla with hits of ambergris. Off the Top cedar and Ylang with the vanilla creeping up right behind it. I wore this out to my cousins wedding at Malibu beach in the evening this radiates a mile away. If they sold this scent by itself i would purchase it right now. Would i buy the box set which retails for $850.00 absolutely not. Definitely a compliment getter and panty dropper.