Saffron/Amber/Agarwood/Cardamom (2009)
by Korres

Modern and elegant, but not luxurious. A great all day long masculine scent that works better in cold winter days. Powerful Spicy opening (cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and a fresh note of bergamot) that calms down with a deeper, woody heart (sandalwood, cedarwood, saffron). The base is just perfect. More sweet than spicy incorporates notes of leather, amber and woods and stays really close to the body for quite a long time. The minimalistic package and the old pharmacy bottle as well as the detailed ingredient list used as the EDT’s name just complement the KORRES concept for natural ingredient products with a fresh attitude.

Korres Saffron Amber Agarwood Cardamom

Korres is a Greek based Homeopathic Pharmacy that has recently branched out into fragrances. In 2009, they released three scents. The names are the ingredients and the one labelled Saffron, Amber, Agarwood, Cardamom immediately caught my attention as I enjoy all four of those notes immensely. One thing I can say about Korres is they definitely practice truth in advertising as it is those four notes and only those four notes I get when wearing this one. Right from the top the saffron, cardamom, and agarwood are present. The saffron and cardamom are a little more prominent at the very beginning. What makes this scent remarkable is the restrained use of agarwood (oud). In a perfume world full of big powerhouses which use agarwood as the big bold note this scent uses it in such a lightly applied manner I was first worried the note wasn't there when I first sprayed it on. It took a couple of minutes for it to make itself known and unlike other agarwood scents it never dominates it instead keeps a nice balance with the saffron and cardamom which is not easy becasue of the delicacy of those notes. Slowly over a good deal of time the scent becomes warmer as amber adds itself to the mix. This is where the scent stays for a good long time in its development, intricately balanced between all four notes and it is beautiful. Korres Saffron Amber Agarwood Cardamom has excellent longevity and modest sillage. For those who like agarwood but want something that won't overwhelm this is worth a try. For those who have shied away from agarwood because of that tendency to dominate this might be the one version of agarwood that might work on you. For me, this is a wonderful fall scent which takes four of my favorite notes and creates a beautiful whole out of them.