This is absolutely stunning. I wanted to dislike it due to the price, and I'd heard many negative or underwhelmed comments, but of the three, this is my coup de cœur, Reasons being second and Lustre in lacklustre third place. It smells like shoving your head into a barrel where someone has smeared lemon drizzle cake and lit an incense stick, absolutely heavenly. .... I've just realised it smells like L'Homme Idéal Intense but with infinitely better ingredients and a little sour twist in the base.
Anyone familiar with Cecile's output in recent years will feel a warm hug of familiarity in the form of her MASSIVE, fiesty amber accord driven, opulence-fest of a style. This is no different Gigantic, Amber-patchouli accord, loads of incense, Chewy gingerbread and licorice facets, almost too much to talk about, and you get different things popping out here and there. I say the drydown is reminiscent of your favourite oud/rose/patchouli perfumes, then never ending woody, amber, musk. It's really good. Not an awe inspiring wear or anything but I have to say that Zarokian is one of the best perfumers working today, she seemingly found a style groove. Amouage: Stop pricing your perfumes to appeal only to people with more money than sense.
Absurdly potent ambery patchouli which weirdly gives off slight Mugler Angel vibes. I love it. But having applied it erroneously today with a hangover I am minded to warn all comers about its strength. Nuclear.