Les Absolus d'Orient Ambre Eternel, from Guerlain was released in 2016. The perfumer behind this creation is Thierry Wasser. It has the top notes of Ambergris, Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Coriander, middle notes of Orange Blossom, Peach, and Ylang-Ylang, and base notes of Leather and Woody Notes.
Symptuous leather and ylang ylang. I managed to find a box set with two 15ml bottles, and it's a bittersweet victory, as I immediately love it, and I know I probably won't be able to find any more (for a price I'm willing to pay). The peach and ylang-ylang are very complimentary, and I think this combination, plus the cardamom, prevents the tropical, banana-like side of the ylang from coming through (I like that but there's a time and a place, plus it makes this perfume more unique). The rich warmth of the amber base boosts the fruit into opulence rather than gourmandise, and there's the playful neroli peeping over the top to give it a charming flourish that makes me thing it's gonna be great for spring and possibly even cooler summer days. The ambergris isn't strong but it is there, hinting at the open sea. And, oh!... as it develops, the strong leather comes in. It's almost chocolatey somehow, like maybe a gourmand leather feel, wow. There's a lot to take in here, but it's incredible and inspired. Update: In hot weather, the heady white/yellow florals come to the fore, almost pissy, but compelling and lovely, kind of like Carnal Flower, but with the leather undercurrent. After several wears in various weather conditions, to me this isn't amber, it's leather floral. It's pretty dense and loud, but it's unique and still has the little bit of Guerlain magic.
Symptuous leather and ylang ylang. I managed to find a box set with two 15ml bottles, and it's a bittersweet victory, as I immediately love it, and I know I probably won't be able to find any more (for a price I'm willing to pay). The peach and ylang-ylang are very complimentary, and I think this combination, plus the cardamom, prevents the tropical, banana-like side of the ylang from coming through (I like that but there's a time and a place, plus it makes this perfume more unique). The rich warmth of the amber base boosts the fruit into opulence rather than gourmandise, and there's the playful neroli peeping over the top to give it a charming flourish that makes me thing it's gonna be great for spring and possibly even cooler summer days. The ambergris isn't strong but it is there, hinting at the open sea. And, oh!... as it develops, the strong leather comes in. It's almost chocolatey somehow, like maybe a gourmand leather feel, wow. There's a lot to take in here, but it's incredible and inspired. Update: In hot weather, the heady white/yellow florals come to the fore, almost pissy, but compelling and lovely, kind of like Carnal Flower, but with the leather undercurrent. After several wears in various weather conditions, to me this isn't amber, it's leather floral. It's pretty dense and loud, but it's unique and still has the little bit of Guerlain magic.