After 5 days without cable and internet, I am finally back online. The tree that overtook my backyard is now in piles in the front of the yard and everything is getting back to normal. Thanks for all the kind words from everyone who wished us well during the storm and my absence. So now that I am back in the saddle, I thought I would continue with my fall obsession with testing amber fragrances. The first is a sample that has been sitting in my untested pile for almost a year, Ambre 114.
WHAT I SMELL: Almost icy/hot to the touch, Ambre 114 goes on medicinal; the thyme is very evident. Then as quickly as that leaves you, out comes the geranium note. I can tell that there’s a bit of amber in there, but I am getting more vetiver at the beginning than amber. Slowly, the spiciness then wafts up through the other notes. It starts to warm and then begins to open to that lovely rounded amber that any amber lover craves. What you are left with is a lovely vanilla’d creamed amber that wraps you in a wonderfully warmed blanket perfect for the long winter nights.
Ambre 114 Notes:
Top Note: Thyme, Nutmeg
Heart Note: Rose, Geranium, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedar, Vetiver
Base Note: Amber, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Benzoin, Musk
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: If Serge Luten’s Ambre Sultan and Maître Parfumeur et Gantier’s Ambre Precieux had a baby, this is what it would smell like.
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE AMBRE 114: exotic, warm, spiced
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AMBRE 114: Katie Puckrick Smells, Chemist in a Bottle, Fragrance Bouquet
BOTTOM LINE: Ambre 114 is lovely and if I didn’t own so many ambers at present, I probably would be buying a bottle. This is easily a comfort scent.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
- Scent: Oriental Spicy
- Nose: Gerald Ghislain and Magali Senequier
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $125 for 60ml EdP
November 4, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Your reviewing twins with australianperfumejunkies today! Nice to read an alternative take on this fragrance – your noting of the more herbal aspects makes me want to revisit this – but still, I’m not a huge fan. I have a straightforward amber and don’t need another. I keep saying to myself I consider Muse solid perfume by Aftelier to be my favourite amber – but it’s only a labdanum note… I guess labdanum comes across as purely ambery sometimes, a little de-sweetened though.
Still, I’m loving the Ambra Nera – I discover something new each time I wear it, now the animalic aspect has become subtle to my nose and I now get a huge, bitter smoke atop the sweet powdered ambered, mmmmmm!!
You are the amber king so I look forward to reading your take on all ambers out there 😛
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November 4, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I am so glad you like that Ambra Nera. I think that I spoiled it for myself by putting too much on. A little goes a long way with it. I can definitely see how it would change based on weather conditions, etc. I still have to get to Aftelier… you need to be a paid salesperson for them 🙂
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November 5, 2012 at 2:45 am
I know!! Haha, it’s terrible isn’t it – I find myself forcing myself not to mention them in pretty much every recommendation list. The thing is, I don’t wanna over-hype the brand you know, I’d hate me to swoon over them and someone else go “Yeh I mean…. they’re ok” I’d be like D: !!!!!?!
Still, I’m gonna spoil myself at the end of the year just before my holiday on two bottles from the line… I neeeed them haha.
Blah blah 😛
Yer – I drench myself in Ambra Nera :’) But I can imagine it as easily off-putting, it’s sour, and smoky and sweet – very wierd. Have you tried Ambrarem by Histoires De Parfums? I have a sample which I’ll review over the next few days, it’s nice, another smoky amber with a bit of oud, nice enough 🙂
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November 5, 2012 at 5:21 am
I have not tried it…I’ll look forward to your review!
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November 4, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Glad to see you’re back!
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November 4, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Thanks Poodle – I’m so glad things are getting back to normal!
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November 4, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Laughing out Loud on “If Serge Luten’s Ambre Sultan and Maître Parfumeur et Gantier’s Ambre Precieux had a baby, this is what it would smell like.”
Beautyhabit has 14mLs for $36…between yours and Lucas’ review, I’m tempted to make this a blind buy.
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November 4, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Also meant to say glad you’re back…now we have to get ready for a Nor’easter.
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November 4, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Hajasuuri – If you like amber fragrances, you will not be disappointed. And that is a great price…I am saying “go for it!”
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November 4, 2012 at 8:36 pm
YAY! Scent twins!! Our bodies throw different light, I love that.
Portia xx
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November 5, 2012 at 5:12 am
I love Ambre 114. One of the most interesting fragrances from Histoires de Parfums, and I think it’s the most powerful one in the line as well. I once sprayed it to bed and woke up to the lovely scent. It stayed on my skin all night long.
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November 5, 2012 at 5:23 am
I did last night too and you are completely correct. I am still smelling it this morning 🙂
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November 5, 2012 at 5:29 am
Oh! So you had the same idea of wearing it to bed! Funny!
Glad it stayed with you until morning. It’s very powerful at the beginning and lasts for a long time, effusing a cozy veil.
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November 5, 2012 at 9:18 am
it sounds massively up my street. I recently bought their Tubereuse Capricieuse, and the quality in all the perfumes is very evident. I also love nutmeg and thyme. I WANT IT
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November 5, 2012 at 5:54 pm
I give you permission to go and buy! hmmm, tuberose and I don’t see eye to eye, but maybe I just haven’t found the right one… any suggestions besides Capricieuse? and btw, you have the most wonderful graphics on your site. Do you create the yourself or pull from other sources?
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November 5, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Thanks. I think I need to reign it in, though…most of it is my photos OR, naughtily, photos from books. It is only a matter of time before the copyright people start calling!
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November 5, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Glad to see you are back and well. I see there is also nutmeg note in this perfume. I love nutmeg, in perfumes and as a spice. If it is spicy, I’m intrested.
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November 5, 2012 at 5:54 pm
I think you would like this then…it’s not too spicy though.
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November 5, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Interesting that you noted it started off medicinal. I’m a bit afraid of that smell–I just don’t like it. Is it only present in the first stage?
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November 5, 2012 at 5:55 pm
I leaves pretty quickly then turns floral for awhile. It did give me a little shock at first but then calmed down.
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November 6, 2012 at 2:50 am
I am so glad you are alright. My sister’s house wasn’t so lucky. Very excited that you reviewed the Ambre 114. I am just getting started and haven’t developed my nose yet. Can’t wait for more reviews!
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November 6, 2012 at 5:44 am
Thank you Stephanie. Sorry to hear about your sister. A friend at work’s mother lost her house in the storm too. Very sad. Glad you like the review, if you have a chance, check out their website. Their sample collection is pretty reasonably priced: http://www.histoiresdeparfums.com/
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November 15, 2012 at 12:19 am
I think Perfumeland is sending me some type of a message. If two bloggers I read review the same perfume on the same day – and it’s not some newests or sent by PR people to everybody – I should probably get to try it. Though I do have already some ambers and even more on my wish list… But there are small bottles… Decisions, decisions…
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November 15, 2012 at 5:51 am
I did think that was very strange myself!
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November 19, 2012 at 12:31 pm
This is my favorite amber.
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