Launched in 1983, Gold Woman was the first perfume created by niche luxury perfume house Amouage, based in Oman.It opens with an aldehydic sparkle and a hint of citrus from lime before blossoming into a gorgeous powdery/soapy, floral/fruity start. Don’t be put off by the ‘powdery/soapy’ idea – the aldehydes give it a classic feel, so it doesn’t smell of clean laundry but of clean skin. Notes of apricot, peach, neroli and lily-of-the-valley weave in and out as the fragrance develops. Amouage loves skin heat, and it brings out the most opulent jasmine and ylang-ylang accord I know. Rose is here too, it bolsters rather than dominates the white flowers, making them soar. As it settles, sandalwood and patchouli anchor it, giving it a warm, smooth lushness. Ambergris is at the base, sweetens it, while civet and musk give it an animalic soul. At the drydown, Gold Woman is an opulent, rich fragrance experience with those white florals still humming softly in the background.In Gold Woman, the notes are layered more than structured so that it’s experienced as a whole rather than as individual notes, much like a piece of symphonic music. It is a testament to Robert’s skill to have so many ingredients so perfectly blended and so perfectly balanced.I’ll tell you one thing: the luxurious, opulence of Gold Woman makes me feel special every time I wear it and that, gentle reader, is what perfume is all about. Notes: Aldehydes, lime, apricot, peach, lily-of-the-valley, neroli, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang silver frankincense, myrrh, rock rose flower, patchouli, iris, cedarwood and sandalwood, ambergris, civet and musk.
