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Opus IV by Amouage, 2010

Opus IV by Amouage, 2010
89% Positive Reviews
Rated #2880 in Fragrances

Posted

this is easily the worst amouage i've tried & i've tried most. a cloying clove cluster that really sends a feeling of nausea through the system. i persevered through the interminable dyrdown (it IS an amouage & that means a half-life of days, for better or worsehappy.gif).  IV is utterly disagreeable for me, and i truly don't get the attraction unless you seriously dig clove & cumin, and the rest of the spice rack. in fact the only opus i like at all is VI, and i REALLY like that one.

Posted
Opens up nicely, as the citrus and coriander oil is quite noticeable. I also get a lavender note. As the middle notes emerge, it starts to smell like bubble gum flavored bubble bath.. which may or may not exist, but it's just what I perceive. Or perhaps some sort of champagne. It actually resembles Champaca Absolute, but with some spice. The cumin spice is very noticeable in the mid, and although it doesn't really match, it keeps things interesting, from a pretty boring floral mid. The base is very incense based, even the mid is quite a bit. I don't really pick up on the animalic notes or the musk, which is good for me, since I don't get along with those notes. Longevity is 10+ hours, projection is big in the opening, but tones down quickly. I really enjoy the opening, and their take on citrus, but after that.. I don't much care. Overall, I am not that impressed, but I am intrigued. This is the first Amouage fragrance I have tried. The quality is definitley there, which intrigues me. After looking at some of their note breakdowns, on other fragrances; and now smelling an Amouage fragrance first hand, I am definitley interested. As an introduction to their house, with Opus IV, one of their less popular ones, I can see that the notes are there (some houses list notes that you just don't smell if ya know what I mean), which is something I like; and of course, the quality is here too.

Posted
Opens with a blast of lemon and incense for me. This is definitely one of the more complex fragrances I've sampled. I get cardamom as the fragrance starts to develop. The lemon never really goes away but it does become faint as the scent progresses. The note that stays very prominent throughout the life of the scent would be the incense. Most of my family felt that it gave a very woody vibe. I wouldn't say it is a compliment getter but I can definitely tell it is liked by the overall crowd I've been around with this fragrance. Is it worth full retail price? Even with the complexity I would still say definitely not but if I get a good deal on this I will pick it up. Based on the quality of this fragrance, I will be looking to sample more Amouage. 9.0/10

Posted
Opus IV is a burning incense/labdanum/myrrh combo under attack by a jubilation of spices and resins. A complex mélange of exotic and liturgical components escorts us in the course of a sort of fabulous travel along the Magi's route. A soon dissonant and salty/sweet rain of aromatic and prickly spices, ripe fruits and citrus leads us towards a dramatic olfactory outcome full of smoke, mysticism and rosey sparks. The accomplished aroma is sweet, powdery and a bit carnal (i mean resinous/animalic, almost sticky), a sort of incensey syrup full of fruity/spicy nuances (i suppose orange blossoms, cinnamon, grapefruit and other) over a smooth, balmy and warm musky base. I fully appreciate this dramatic olfactory fatigue which effectively could not be the best choice for the lovers of the minimalistic, more opaque and strictly liturgical incensey concoctions but that will envelop in a sensual embracement all the lovers of the burnt/resinous (sweet/oriental but with smokey undertones) potions. Great longevity and projection on my skin.

Posted
This is a complex spice collection. It is quality, but doesn't stand out as something I would buy. I like the combination of pepper, cardamom, and frankincense. I am not much on musk, and upon dry-down I get a body odor note that may be the musk. The pine helps cover it a little. Seems like an evening, autumn, or winter fragrance. Too spicy for hot humid weather.

Posted
In the opening that I got there was just a hint of citrus, mainly mandarin, which after a few minute was pushed into the background by the spiciness of coriander, cardamon and cumin.  Heavy frankincense and musk with labdanum follow suit to establish this as a rich and heavy oriental scent.  Nonetheless, the background hints of mandarin and berry add that touch of acidity that prevents this luscious fragrance from ever becoming overwhelming or cloying - a masterful balancing act that many other scents fail to achieve.  A great comfort scent on a cold winter day.  Silage and projection are very good, and the longevity  of over ten hours is indeed excellent. To me this one of the most convincing Amouages in its smoothness, balance and quality.  A great fragrance.

Posted
Im a sucker for a good smoke-and-resins fanfare and Opus IV obligingly provides, but theres also a bunch of citruses opening their little yellow beaks in a hungry morning chorus. This is Amouages sunrise scent. As the glowing orb lifts towards the sky, the citrus and resins combo evokes an almighty clove accord, a 3-D thing, not the dusty spice box versions one may have encountered in other fragrances. The cumin is beautifully handled rising like the tang of sweat a few minutes in, before blending bit by bit into the whole until it no longer offends. This has a strong balm-like quality, like something uncorked at an Egyptian tomb. I can appreciate it more as an ambient perfume however, than on my skin. I wished things had stayed smoky a bit longer on this one and by the end of the day I felt a bit choked by it. Also that sweet resin and citrus combo is reminiscent of some Tauers to my nose and like them can carry on well after having made its mark.

Posted
Among the Opus series, IV it's probably the more interesting (still waiting to try VI, though). I would personally classify it as a sweet incense bomb. Spices and light citruses serve as an introduction to a massive smoky woody/incensey base with pronounced animalic undertones, musk and rose patterns. The huge balsamic component and the labdanum provide a consistent dose of sweetness to an otherwise severe concoction of resins and spices leading the fragrance towards opulence and thickness. Downline: If you're up for a minimalistic incense a-là Cardinal, you should porbably stay carefully away from Opus IV, instead, if opulence, complexity and power is what you're after, this is surely worth checking out. Very good prjection, 10+ hrs lasting power, perfectly unisex.

Posted
What's this, I'm first to review?!? I would have guessed this was a Comme de Garcons creation had i tried this blind. The opening is a complex medley. I smell the rose and the labdanum and the berries. The citrus is also evident in the opening. But by the time you reach the thirty minute mark, all of what I just listed becomes one singular inseperable sweet note, BEHIND the very spicy incense and musk. It is basically these four components: peppery spice, incense, musk (i guess civet) and the sweet note that is basically the residue, the combination of the previous floral/fruit/citrus notes prior to this drydown. I actually think it smells nice and bracing, almost like spicy incense in cool air. I would also like to say that this is certainly better than the previous three opus fragrances in the library collection. It's not quite my style, but I like it. It should renew interest in the library collection I should think, at the very least.
Opus IV by Amouage, 2010
Description:

Details:
DetailValue
Top NotesCoriander, Lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit
Middle NotesElemi, Cardamom, Cumin, Rose Berries, Rose, Violet Leaves
Base NotesPeru Balsam, Labdanum, Frankincense, Animalic Notes, Musk
Launched Date2010
GenderNeutral
PerfumerJacques Flori
AvailabilityIn Production
ByAmouage
Bottle Designer
Models:
Model Name/TypeMPNEAN/UPC
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