Created by renowned French perfumer Jean-Francois Laporte for his Maître Parfumeur et Gantier line, Parfumeur et Gantier, Ambre Precieux Ambre Précieux was considered the benchmark amber when it was launched in 1988. Amber is a favourite note of mine, and the fragrances that feature it move into heavy rotation, especially in cooler weather. Ambre Précieux is a stand-out. It opens with bitter myrrh, strong and medicinal, paired with lavender that’s fragrant, fresh, and so camphorous it’s heady. Then, the amber, sweet, dark and resinous takes centre stage. The sensuous, warmth of the amber counterbalances the bitter myrrh and camphorous. Just at this juncture, Ambre Précieux gets achingly smoky and animalic, reining in the sweetness just enough to allow nutmeg to add spicy warmth. The base is all about cozy vanilla. A note of creamy vanilla gives it a sweet, soft sensuality. It links to vanilla-like Peru balsam and tolu balsam. Rich and complex, these balsams are related; both have cinnamic and vanillic facets that amplify the vanilla to create a warm, voluptuous, cocooning feeling. Amber is present throughout the development of Ambre Précieux, which keeps that smoky, resinous sensuality going and going. The truth is, it doesn’t evolve much. It doesn’t have to. That’s what makes it so stunning. Notes: Myrhh, lavender, amber, resin, ambergris, nutmeg, vanilla, Peru balsam, Tolu balsam.
