Ambre

Réminiscence is a French costume and silver ‘beach’ jewelry house founded in 1970 and based in in Juan-les-Pins on the Côte d'Azur. That same year they launched three fragrance; Patchouli, Ambre and Musc. Over the years they have expanded their jewellery and perfume lines considerably. The Réminiscence fragrance line doesn’t get nearly the amount of attention it deserves. Their Inoubliable Elixir Patchouli is incomparable and their Tonka is a niche standout and their Ambre, well, let me tell you about this stunner.

Sweet, rich, warm and voluptuous, the truth is that the amber note in perfumery is really a blend of labdanum and vanilla. That doesn’t make Ambre a false friend, just one deep, rich fragrance note.

Ambre opens with a note of light, lovely rose, it smells retro to me, joined by geranium. Geranium has a rosey-aspect to it that echoes the rose, it also adds nuances of lemon and pepper. A note of clove extends the pepper facet of the geranium and adds a spicy warmth to the opening. Rosey, but fresh, warm and spicy – I love the way Ambre opens, but I really Iove the way it blooms on the skin to reveal a gorgeous woody heart. I smell a note of clean, balsamic cedarwood, bolstered by aromatic lignum vitiae, a strong, dense, fragrant wood indigenous to the Caribbean and northern coast of South America.  There’s sandalwood here too, sweet and woody but it’s the rich, dark, earthy patchouli that gives the woody heart depth and dimension. The opulent amber note at the base is the star for me, deep and leathery from labdanum and sweet from vanilla and resinous from benzoin, all warmed and sealed by musk.

The drydown is warm, spicy and rich with just enough freshness to keep it vibrant. . It has a warm golden glow that is accessible and welcoming and made for cooler weather.

Notes: Rose, geranium, clove, cedar, lignum vitae, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, labdanum, benzoin, musk.

Type: EdT

Parfumeur: Zoé Coste