amber | The Scented Hound

April 1, 2012
by The Scented Hound 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

March 27, 2012
by The Scented Hound 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

March 6, 2012
by The Scented Hound 11 Comments

Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens

All perfumistas have gone through the process of making a purchase smell unseen. For the most part when I have done this I come away with a great product. A couple of months ago, I blindly purchased Ambre Sultan based on reviews that I read and I am thrilled to say that I love this fragrance. And as an added bonus, I always receive compliments whenever I have this on. This is not a fragrance for the timid and shy. Strong and almost medicinal when first applied, it warms to a nice dry, spicy and woody enveloping scent. This is amber without the sweetness. Amber Sultan is perfect for a winter’s day…I can only imagine how it will wear in the heat of the summer! You can definitely understand the “sultan” in Ambre Sultan thanks to the exotic incense spiciness of this most perfect fragrance. Where’s my magic carpet?

Ambre Sultan Notes:

coriander, amber, oregano, bay leaf, myrtle, angelica root, sandalwood, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla