Ambre Précieux (1988)
by Maître Parfumeur et Gantier

One of the best ambers outside for sure because of its capacity to be luxurious and warm without to be too sweet, aggressive or syrupy. Exotic, evocative and slightly vintage this amber fragrance as many underlined is based on a severe balance among the elements in order to create a dreamy, indolent and royal kind of amber barely green and spicy in a composition where an high quality of  amber is starring and almost integral in its facets and features. This amber is regal and serene, it's neither naughty or dark as Scent Intense nor spicy, intense and finally mellifluous as Ambre Sultan. The note of amber is central and all around whirl some modulating elements with the task to enrich and flavour the main element while preserving its integrity, i'm talking about a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, a well calibrated vanilla, an hint of smoke, some mild woods and moss. A wonderful dosage of lavender is able to tone down the otherwhise to mellow usage of balsams (tolu, opoponax etc), manteining the juice subtle, averagely boise' and balanced.  The spices are not stormy but tamed and mild while the sweetness is not synthetically syrupy of caramellous but gentle, natural and slightly animal. That's the secret of the sexiness of Ambre Precieux, simply the ability of the creator Laporte to preserve the natural sensuality of a sensual element di per se', the amber. The general balance of the elements, the gentle temperament and subtleness of the final development reminds me a bit Versilia Vintage Ambra Mediterranea, a scent that i love. Cloudy, refined and a bit Victorian.

20th October, 2011. (Last Edited: 7th January, 2012.)

A real masterpiece in "Amber" scents kind.... Warm, embracing like a cachemire skarf, just a little spicy accent... and then the powerful but gentle presence of ambergris that lasts for so long.... so intoxicating but incredibly wearable.... this is the ultimate amber scent you can experience.

27th September, 2011.

There are some scents that aren't deserving of their praise but Laporte does for Amber what he did for Sandalwood in Santal Noble, not a bum note or a missed step any where in this scent.
You may prefer your amber served in a different manner, think of it as a beautiful woman, to say that there is another more attractive across the street is shallow and callous, appreciate the beauty in hand for what it is.

26th July, 2011.

If, like me, you don't like amber to be the main player in a fragrance, I suggest that Jean Laporte's masterpiece will suit. AP has none of the bitterness I often find in other amber fragrances being supplanted with a rich, heady vanilla instead of the usual Casbah spices. It's not overly sweet though -- it's just right. Monster sillage and longevity.

6th June, 2011.

Not so much to say about this marvellous creation beside that Ambre Precieux it's huge! If you like your amber to be straight ahead and slightly spiced you've found your holy grail. Embracing, sweet but perfectly balanced, warm and comfortable, highly intoxicating and addicting. Simply one of the best amber around. A masterpiece.

29th May, 2011. (Last Edited: 2nd November, 2011.)

I normally approach a fragrance with the various forms of the word amber in the title with a sense of trepidation. There seems to be a tendency for the manufacturer to hoist the amber note onto its shoulders and try and wow you with its magnificence.

In the case of Ambre Précieux, I am happy to report no such hyperbole. It feels remarkably accessible, and the volume has been turned down considerably. Rather than show the sweet, cloying and pervasive tendencies of amber, here it just allows the resinous qualities to impress you. It’s a remarkably consistent presence, with occasional changes in accompaniment from supporting notes.

Even as an amber sceptic, I cannot fail to be impressed. It's a fragrance of considerable quality and maturity.

9th April, 2011.