Hermèssence Ambre Narguilé (2004)
by Hermès

One of my all time favorite fragrances, it smells like a mix of boss bottled and Tim mcgraw southern blend with a slight hint of tobacco and some transparent honey. On my skin this one lasts for at least 15 hours plus.

20th January, 2012.

This reminds me of a buttery rich tarte tatin with a wonderful glass of Sauterne - delicious and indulgent and to be enjoyed sparingly. The sweetness is more interesting and sophisticated than many of the sweet gourmand fragrances that are so prevalent at the moment - A linear fragrance- I sprayed this on my wrist in the morning and it lasted long into the evening not changing much throughout - I can imagine that this could turn into a comfort scent - the fragrance equivalent of comfort eating- I liked this a lot but would only wear this very occasionally if I owned a bottle as it seems so indulgent and there are so many more on the list . . .

30th December, 2011.

As other people have stated, this is a very soothing fragrence.

Immediately I can appreciate the candied apple-cinnamon, caramel, honey and dried fruit (figs?), but then it all tones down a bit converting (for me) to a sort of tobacco / rum scent that just stays there without imposing.

After a grace period, it dries down and you're left with the wonderful tobacco / rum-scent that's warm and friendly.

I can't detect much of a vanilla-scent going on, and the sweetness gives way to something more akin to "warmth" in my book.

Sophisticated without being shouty - sweet but not intrusive and just generally grown up feel-good.

30th December, 2011.

This is my second felicitous testing encounter with AMBRE NARGUILE (made possible by generous basenoter Twolf), and my enthusiasm has not abated in the least. I was struck by the Tom Fordesque quality of this composition back when I first wore it, and I feel the same way today. Thick, golden, and viscous, this sort of elixir is right up my alley! The labdanum and benzoin lusciousness of this composition pull me right in. Is it too sweet, as some maintain? Well, not to me. Maybe I've sniffed too many celebrity orientals of late?

AMBRE NARGUILE is not the spiciest amber perfume around, and I do not believe that it contains or claims to contain ambergris--again, this is labdanum amber, not the petrified concretions expelled from the intestines of sperm whales (which in any case figures is very few perfumes today, as far as I know...). But this is a shimmering layer of gold! It's clearly time that I acquired at least a purse spray of this wonderful composition. Great longevity and detectable but not obnoxious projection.

So, you see, J.C.: I really have nothing against you at all! It's just that I'd rather wear perfume than meditate in your gardens.

29th September, 2011.

I really really don't like this one. Tooth achingly sweet, it starts off with that burnt caramel and marzipan notes and dries down into something that smells to me like vanilla essence. Obviously expensive materials, made to smell cheap.

I've decided to give up on the gourmand genre. Anything sweeter/more edible than Musc Ravageur is repellent to me.

2nd September, 2011.

Ambre Narguile when smelled on the spray mechanism of the bottle has a definite tobacco smell - it's sweet, but definitely present. However, once sprayed on, the perfume becomes a warm, beautiful apple-cinnamon-amber golden scent that wafts around incredibly beautifully. This is a scent i wear when I'm in an intimidating work situation like a high pressure meeting as it supports me and comforts me. It is not at all "sexy" but is grounding, beautiful and makes me feel strong and positive.

It lasts and lasts, I can smell it a good 15 hours after it's been sprayed, but it is never overwhelming. I can always smell it the next day on the cuffs and neckline of the tops I have worn which I love. If I could only wear one scent for the rest of my life, I think it would be Ambre Narguile as it is just such a satisfying scent.

28th August, 2011.