The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


by 10 Comments

Ambra Nobile by Nobile 1942

Sometimes I like to gamble.  Not gamble in the Las Vegas sense, but I sometimes will make a purchase sight unseen.  I took a gamble with Ambra Nobile because at present Luckyscent has the marked down by 35%.  So knowing my love of ambers I took a chance.  I couldn’t be any happier.  Ambra Nobile is a sophisticated, warm and lovely fragrance.    When I applied this for the first time, I was a bit worried.  It went on a bit sharp and had almost a putty smell that came to the surface?  Where was the amber that I so wanted?  After a bit, the sharp citrus smell retreated and the mix of the other ingredients came together along with a light spice.  Finally, the vetiver and sandalwood came through and mixed with the amber.  The combination in the end makes for a modern twist to a very old-time scent.  Ambra Nobile is considered a unisex fragrance and would satisfy both sexes easily.  But for me and probably for most men, this scent will derive memories of barbershops of past.  Ambra Nobile would be fine for day and evening wear.  It’s warmth, like many ambers, is enveloping and a spritz on my hand is perfect for satisfying my sniffing needs throughout the day.  I am a happy hound with my latest purchase!

From the Nobile 1942 website:

Ambra Nobile evokes “nights for happy lovers are bright and brief” inebriated by the perfume of amber aphrodisiac, combined with the warm, citrusy, notes of labdanum resin, the notes of liquorice Helichrysum, Whose leaves shine like gold in the sun (“golden leaf “), the” manly “tobacco hints of the Tonka bean, and a slight, delicate sandalwood finish as the calm after the storm olfactory.

Ambra Nobile Notes:

Neroli, Bergamot, Ambergris, Labdanum, Patchouly, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Vetiver

  • Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: $135 for 100ml EDP


by 2 Comments

APOM Pour Homme by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

APOM, which stands for A Part of Me, is one of those “I just got out of the shower” scents. To me, it reminds me of the freshness associated with bathing and the wonderfully clean feeling that you have afterwards.  So given that, what exactly does APOM smell like?  The listed ingredients are simple, orange flower, amber and cedar wood.  This to me is a pretty linear scent; it doesn’t change much and the orange flower is the dominating note.  The amber does warm the scent and tone down the orange flower a bit, but it ultimately remains in the background.  This to me is a safe fragrance;  clean and fresh, but not very interesting.  For those of you who like fresh; this would be a great fragrance.  Me, I like it a little dirty and will stick with my Absolue Pour le Soir.

From the Maison Francis Kurkdjian website:

APOM (A Part Of Me), a bit of oneself that one leaves on others. A relationship inspired from the beauty of the Orient: movement of people, flavors, colors and scents rediscovered from Lebanon. A combination of softness and strength.

APOM Notes:  orange flower, cedar wood, amber

  • Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
  • Classification: For men, but leans unisex
  • Expense: From $155 for 75ml, EDT


by 4 Comments

Aziyade by Parfum d’Empire

Yesterday I  received my full collection of samples from Parfum d’ Empire. This was a wonderful buy in order to check out the entire collection.  Very nice packaging and even a hand written note thanking me for my purchase.  Good customer service as far as I’m concerned.  So to start my venture in sampling, I reached into the bag and chose to wear the first offering I grabbed.  So here it goes.  Coca-Cola, body odor and prunes were the first things that came to mind when I sprayed Aziyade on for the first time.  You wouldn’t think that by my description this would be a scent that I would favor, but in fact is wasn’t so bad.  I think the thought of body odor (or maybe a better description would be a musky smell) was the coming from the cardamon and cumin.  The cumin especially steps out after a bit and I rather liked it.  I would describe this as spicy with a hint of sweetness as it’s not a strong overpowering spice.  It is definitely a one of a kind scent.  My one disappointment is that it quickly vanished and I had to reapply just a few hours later.  Not that I’m complaining, because upon reapplication I quickly traveled through all the layers once again!  I think this could really grow on me and become a full bottle purchase.  We’ll see.

Aziyade Notes:  pomegranate, crystallized date, almond, orange and prune, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, Egyptian cumin, carob, frankincense, vanilla, Madagascar vanilla absolute, patchouli, musk, cistus

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: From $75 for 50ml, EDP