Reviews of Ambre Extrême (2001)
by L'Artisan Parfumeur

My impression of Ambre Extreme falls somewhere between Asha's and Trebor's opinions. I definitely get cookie dough and I also get play dough. Maybe it's cookie play.....or maybe it's playin my cookies....I'm not quite sure.

I am sure that there are much better amber scents out there. L'Artisan seems to be a house I have a difficult time with. I can't seem to find one I really like.

The play-dough-cookie accord is too distracting for me. This isn't horrible, but it isn't good either. I know this review isn't one of my better, more focused efforts, but I guess fair exchange ain't no robbery. Had this been a better creation, I would post a better review.

L'Artisan L'Eau d'Ambre Extreme

Notes: cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, amber, vanilla, rose, patchouli, sandalwood, benzoin, tonka bean (from luckyscent.com)

L'Eau d'Ambre Extreme is not a more concentrated version of L'Eau d'Ambre. L'Ed'AE starts immediately into sweet traditional amber, with vanilla, labdanum and benzoin. There is also a doughy note that is almost like uncooked chocolate chip cookie dough--sounds strange, but it works! The labdanum is woody and tabacco-like, and lightly applied spices such as cinnamon complement the composition beautifully. Now the bad news. Later in the development, a soapy musk emerges. Up to that point, I would have said that L'Ed'AE is a good substitute for Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Ambre Precieux. Sorry to be dramatic, but cheap white musk really destroys Amber Extreme for me. It is not in keeping with the richness of the resinous and balsamic core, and is quite jarring in its intrusion. Furthermore, when the same synthetic "play-do" note present in L'Eau d'Ambre starts to make its presence known here, L'Ed'AE no longer keeps my attention. Sillage and longevithy for L'Ed'AE are moderate. It is worth a sample, and maybe even a decant, but for traditional amber, MPG Ambre Precieux is a much better fragrance than Ambre Extreme.

Another pointless creation from this over-rated house.

At first it smelt like Play-Doh, which initially put me off. However, into the drydown, the creamy amber eventually emerged (with the unpleasant opening smell almost a faded memory) and flourished. But, once again, it just smelt anemic like most of their other creations.

There are much better (and more complex) amber scents to choose from.

[Original submission date: 10 April 2008]

Amber is a tricky note for me - I love it when used well in accords, and I love vanilla fragrances. I've long sought a amber-centric fragrance and have literally sampled dozens of such fragrances. [I do own Ambre Narguile, which it more of a gourmand then an amber.] The problem I have with most ambers is the honey-thick sweetness that pushes the note too far. Montale's Blue Amber is the best example of an amber I don't like for this reason.

Ironically, Ambre Extreme is one of the very first ambers I ever tried, and I'd nearly forgotten about it in my search for ambers. What I really like about it is that you get the amber complexity and warmth without the depths of sweetness found in others. Perhaps it's because it's an Ellena work, but Ambre Extreme magically seems to convey the warmth and sweetness of amber while also maintaining a certain transparency that is rare in the genre. There is a slight powdery background and chalkiness that I happen to really like but others may not. The only other amber I found in my search is MPG's Ambre Precieux, but the L'Artisan was far less expensive, and I actually prefer it to the MPG. Longevity and sillage are both very good.

For a straight amber that isn't super-heavy, check this one out.

Really just a basic little pretty amber scent – nothing special. It is nicely blended but the thing is that it is slightly boring and very heavily outclassed some much more compelling amber scents.

Ambre Extreme is a semi-sweet, dusky amber. It is slightly bitter and its rather quit comparing it to some of its companions. Base of it seems to be very powdery to me.

This is a amber only for L`Artisan Parfumeur fans and for those who wants their amber to be served subdued.

For all of the rest of us there are much better options available.

WOW. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! This makes the second sample in a row I've tested at work and then felt the need to apologize for. (I think I might be developing a rep for being stinky.) This is not soft, creamy, or warm. I'm sure it smells exactly like it is supposed to, but neither my nez nor my skin interprets it kindly. I don't think I would like this on anyone. Maybe a man would wear it better, but my husband isn't going to appease me. I just got a decant of Amber Sultan, and right out of the vial it smelled better than this one. Time will tell if AS placated me only because Extreme smells so bad, and I truly do not like amber, or if it's just, as someone else put it, solo amber that turns me. I'm waiting on Ambre Narguile, which I understand is an amber for amber haters. In the meantime, I think I will layer Extreme with Addict and see if they temper each other enough for me to actually enjoy them.

A dense very versatile amber.
Nice and thick ,melting down on Your skin like butter on a hot pan.

Starting with a little harsh accord of spices which gives it just enough angular quality not to get boring, this amber is one of the most harmonious softest ambers I know.
Using natural amber it possesses the depth of structure most natural ingredients offer compared to their synthesis brothers.
Maybe this is why this "just" amber fragrance does not get flat even though its crown is monothematic.

Nicely wearable on its own but also with most other artisans in order to enrichen them.
It gives a nice body to the warm and sweet ones, rendering the flowers more "old-mannerly" ladylike.

In every case a go, with its infinite possibilities.

If you like intense sweet amber, this is a good choice. Honestly, at first I did not like it, it seemed too potent, but it grew on me: I couldn't stop sniffing my wrist. The key is to apply lightly. A little goes a long way: I get 12+ hours from a single application. Too much and it's a monster.

This is your basic, straight-up amber on steroids. It is the clear, sweet and intense amber I particularly love, especially for layering in cooler weather.

Hot tip: if you live somewhere where Royal Secret is sold (I believe it is/was by Monteil? or something like that) and you like Ambre Extreme but not its price, simply buy Royal Secret for less than half the price. They are spitting images of each other, seriously! My gran wore Royal Secret, and the second my parents and I smelled Ambre Extreme on my wrist, we all three exclaimed: granny! This is very nice, perhaps the slightest smidge softer than overpowering Royal Secret.

Nothing extreme about this one.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but this is to me just a straight-up amber, and not much else going on. It's not bad, per se - it's actually quite pleasant, but that's only because amber is good anyway as long as you use decent material. There are better amber scents out there in the same price range that are more complex and interesting, namely Ambre Precieux and Ambre Sultan.

Not sure why I succumbed to this. I really prefer amber as a supplementary note, not a main dish. I thought it might settle down a bit, but that amber note kept giving plenty and I'm not that keen -- it's a bit jarring and slightly bitter imo. Can't thumbs down it though.

Kaern

I absolutely love this fragrance. I have always been a fan of amber and have tried many different kinds. I received a small vile of this as a gift. I wore it to dinner one night, and two complete strangers told me that I smelled wonderful. Two of my friends asked me what I was wearing and wanted to know where they could buy some. I love L'eau D'Ambre also, but I think the Extreme is richer and sexier (at least on me). I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of amber. I would recommend that someone who is unfamiliar with amber and is just curious about it try the L'eau D'Ambre first, but for true amber lovers, like me, this stuff is heavenly. I even spray myself and walk around sniffing my wrist just because it smells so good. I also think L'Artisans creates some of the finest fragrances I have ever tried.

A beautiful, smooth, full amber fragrance that is wonderfully comforting and satisfying. Ambre Extreme is much fuller and richer than L’Artisan’s other amber offering: L’Eau d’Ambre, but I imagine that the two ambers were meant for different purposes. This one is a delicious, creamy, vanilla-sweet, amber presentation that has a depth and richness I’ve not seen in very many amber fragrances. It’s interesting to experience that note stripped to its very directness. I have always sort of enjoyed amber, but it hasn’t been one of my must-have notes, so I haven’t paid too close of attention to it. After smelling this one, things are going to change: I’m going to pay more attention. This is a great one for instructing me how rich and elegant an almost solo amber can be.

A distinct improvement over the wimpy/sweet L’Eau d’Ambre, but still a “polite”, soft-spoken amber, drier and less complex than Ambre Sultan (which I’ve grown to like more and more), and without the saccharine coating that ruins Montale’s Aoud Ambre for me. The base reveals good deal of vanilla over time, making the drydown far more conventional than the sultry Ambre Sultan. The sillage is moderate, so it will not empty the room, and the longevity is pretty decent, certainly better than its younger sibling’s.

This Amber is perfect! I respect Chergui, Shalimar, Sweet Oriental Dream, Voile de Amber, and Ambre Precioux. They are each high quality compositions, but for me - this L'artisan Ambre Extreme is beyond exquisite! The powdery sweetness is finely tuned and plays off my skin like a symphony. It is neither too heavy nor too light. As for sillage & longevity I find AE to be, well, just right. You can bet I'm anxious to add this gem to my collection!

This is a gorgeous amber fragrance, vanilla and spices (cinnamin and nutmeg) soft and pliable, fusing with the skin in one great sigh of comfort. I bury my nose in it and breathe deeply. The vanilla deliciousness of Shalimar, only lighter and without the lemon. An amber caress, sharing this particular characteristic of Chanel No. 5. Delicious, natural, and approachable. A teriffic scent. I take issue with the "extreme" in the title. Usually this term is associated with excess, but there is nothing overdone about this fragrance. It is mellow, agreeable, and appropriate for all ages and attitudes. In fact, I would prefer it stronger and more longer-lasting. Would that make it Amber Unattainable?

It's hard to describe amber in writing. I guess you could say it smells like what gold should smell like, but doesn't. I tested Ambre Sultan (Serge Lutens), Ambre Extreme, and Ambre Precieux (MPG) together. Ambre Sultan is abominable, but Ambre Extreme and Ambre Precieux are both very fine, and very similar. They have comparable longevity (very good). Extreme is not quite as sweet as Precieux and is a little spicier.

Ergh. I love amber and received a small decant of this, expecting to like if not love it. Surprise! in actuality I can't stand it. The sweet smooth amber scent is lovely, but it's accompanied by this weird greasy undertone that is actually kind of nauseating. The closest thing I can compare the freaky undertone to is -- maybe a deep-fried sweet, like a day-old donut or something, that has sat in its own fry grease too long and has become super-saturated in oil. Maybe to some folks this is a positive thing (LOL) but for me it is an absolute scrubber.

Warm, sweet, smooth, long lasting for a L'Artisan...long lasting in general. Similar to Ambre Precieux in some ways, but not as substantial, not as woody. Ambre Extreme seems to me to be mainly amber and vanilla, and so it seems a bit boring when compared to Ambre Precieux or the spicy Ambre Sultan. The last one (AS) brings the amber with a bunch of spices and blends them all into that crazy SL tanned skin scent. So, if you want deeper and woodsier, try Ambre Precieux, if you want more complex and edgier, try Amber Sultan. If you want warm, smooth comfort scent, go with Ambre Extreme.

Basically a pure amber scent that is smoother than Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana combined.

I got a sample of this, and was blown way. It is my first L'Artisan. The finest, most complex amber fragrance I have sampled. I would say it is a definite bottle, but first I must seek out more L'Artisan! Now I'm intrigued by all the buzz...

For me this resembles Allure Homme for some reason. In my opinion this one is the winner. The best amber I have smelled so far. Not surprised if I end up bying it in the future.
benb

There are three amber scents that are all similar to each other: Ambre Sultan, Ambre Precieux and then Ambre Extreme. Of the three, this is the top of the lot. If there's a better sweater for a cold winter day with a sweater on, I've yet to see it. Warm, sweet amber dominates and the lasting power is nothing short of extraordinary. It projects without being in your face. It's warm and never fails to give me an instant feeling of comfort upon trying it. A must try for fans of amber scents.

A warm, soft, cozy fragrance, perfect for winter and cooler evenings. While L'Eau d'Ambre is sharp, medicinal and synthetic, Ambre Extreme is much better balanced and has a calming effect. Although it's very deep and long lasting, it isn't cloying at all.

A beautiful, resinous, sweet, creamy Amber - lightyears preferable to the original L'Eau d'Ambre. Incredible sillage and longevity and perfect for a cold winter's night. Not much more going on here than amber - reminds me of L'Occitane's Amber boule.

I'll agree with the playdough statement. The top and middle notes smell strongly of playdough or some type of clay. I noticed this in many amber scents, but it's most prominent in this one. I love the drydown. It's silky smooth and sweet. It's a great winter scent and as Matt stated earlier, it's perfect for cold nights in front of the fireplace. This is the longest lasting L'artisan I've tried so far.

Deep and intense. A bit sharper (geranium?) than the regular (if you can call it that) l'artisan amber. Long lasting.

This is a very interesting Ambre interpretation. There are floral notes in this fragrance that aren’t present in most other Ambre fragrances. Ambre Extrême is also plagued by what most people call a playdough note. I am must agree with them. There is an accord in this fragrance that smells eerily similar to playdough. This isn’t a bad thing, though. I love this fragrance.

Brilliant amber rendition. Creamy, resinous and very warm, spiced amber. This extreme version is much deeper than the original and lasts for hours. Like a soothing companion, would fit perfectly under a nice cashmere sweater in front of a large fireplace wit the dark and cold winter surrounding you. Class Act.

I just put on some L'Artisan Ambre Extreme and i am being enveloped by a cloud of creamy, luxurious, amber. To me, this qualifies as a "special scent". Not a scent you use on the prowl or specifically to attract the opposite sex, but something that puts me in a state of mind that is close to euphoria and zen-like tranquility. Not all ambers have this effect on me. Serge Luten's Amber Sultan is a deeper amber that's penetrating while L'Occitane's Amber is sharper, more synthetic smelling. This is EDP strength and more expensive than the regular L'Artisans but definitely a must have in any collection.