Sel d'Ambre, from Pierre Balmain was released in 2024. The perfumer behind this creation is unknown. The notes are Amber, Ambergris, Olibanum (Frankincense), Orris Root, Tea.
Wow is the opening of this perfume ever gorgeous? sheesh!!! Immediately the olibanum which persists and crudely, is the main theme of this perfume, but it's not all about that, I want to say a sweet but not saccharine accompaniment (could be the orris listed in the notes here?) but the quality and sparkle of the olibanum gives a really chic, classy feel. So the Olibanum is evident throughout and settles to more of that once the top notes fade, this can be a difficult balance, to not get that Avignon, Mark Birley...Etc... Frankincense sort of dominant thing, and I think this avoids it well. I can't quite figure out what's going on, it's not complicated and I think that's the charm here. The amber accord is warm but quite mineral like, modern, comparisons to Serge Lutens amber below I find a bit puzzling and the Sahara Noir comparisons might be valid, unfortunately I can't recall the smell, I remember loving that perfume though (foolishly not enough to buy it) so they might be on to something? Enjoyed this then, and it's in a lovely bottle, haven't mentioned that on my reviews of the 'new' Balmain collection so far but I think they are among the prettiest around. Still not worth retail but what is nowadays?
Wow is the opening of this perfume ever gorgeous? sheesh!!! Immediately the olibanum which persists and crudely, is the main theme of this perfume, but it's not all about that, I want to say a sweet but not saccharine accompaniment (could be the orris listed in the notes here?) but the quality and sparkle of the olibanum gives a really chic, classy feel. So the Olibanum is evident throughout and settles to more of that once the top notes fade, this can be a difficult balance, to not get that Avignon, Mark Birley...Etc... Frankincense sort of dominant thing, and I think this avoids it well. I can't quite figure out what's going on, it's not complicated and I think that's the charm here. The amber accord is warm but quite mineral like, modern, comparisons to Serge Lutens amber below I find a bit puzzling and the Sahara Noir comparisons might be valid, unfortunately I can't recall the smell, I remember loving that perfume though (foolishly not enough to buy it) so they might be on to something? Enjoyed this then, and it's in a lovely bottle, haven't mentioned that on my reviews of the 'new' Balmain collection so far but I think they are among the prettiest around. Still not worth retail but what is nowadays?