WHAT I SMELL:  On application, Ambre Premier goes on cool to the skin, almost like the feeling when you spray on antiseptic.  What is first revealed is almost what I would describe as cocoa/chocolate edge mixed with the coolness of bergemot. It’s lightly warm and a little spicy.  On Fragrantica, it says the top notes evoke that of “cotton candy”.  Seriously, I am missing that completely (is there such thing as chocolate cotton candy??).  As it continues in its development, it become a bit more floral with a subdued rose as the amber starts to take shape.  In the end Ambre Premier is amber that is sweetened with a vanilla’d patchouli.  It’s cool and warm at the same time with a bit of a tang that lies at its base.

Ambre Premier Notes:

Head: spicy fresh; Heart: pink floral; Background: dominant patchouli, amber, vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  At first, surprisingly a bit gourmand, like a bittersweet box of chocolate orange creams (you don’t really smell much of the cream, but it’s what chocolate covered creams smell like in the box).  I feel like my nose is playing a trick on me so I go to my better half and tell him what I think this smells like and he disagreed.  He said a box of chocolate covered orange creams smells really sweet and this does not… I reminded him that I said “bittersweet” as in dark chocolate.  He still didn’t agree!

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE AMBRE PREMIER:  cooled-warmth, bittersweet, removed

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AMBRE PREMIER:  I was not able to find any other reviews on this!!!

BOTTOM LINE:  This is a different amber in that’s it’s not the typical, warm and embracing cuddly sweater that I love so much in the note.  Instead, it’s a bit distant and a bit discordant in the way the notes blend together; I feel like they are fighting with each other.  I don’t hate this, but I don’t like it either.

• Bone Rating: 2.5 out of 5 possible bones
• Scent: Oriental Vanilla
• Nose: Michelle Saramitot
• Classification: Marketed as a feminine fragrance, but I believe this suits both men and women
• Expense: $180 for 100ml EdP