Ah, the wide, wide world of amber. There’s an ocean of scent to choose from, but it takes some doing to narrow it down to one or two favorites, for me at least. Hmmm … let’s see, this one is too sweet; this one is too boozy, this one’s a tad too masculine, etc. But when you find one that’s just right, like Goldilocks, that makes you go “A-ha!” upon first application, and has you enjoying it all the way through to the last gasp of the drydown, you know it’s a keeper. And Alambar is turning out to be that one for me.
I’m not sure when it debuted, but it’s new to me this winter, and I am grooving on this smooth amber that’s not complicated, just easy wearing and oh-so yummy. Not a ton of development here, but that’s OK. Alambar almost smells good enough to eat, but stops short. A little cinnamon, a little cocoa, a little vanilla contribute to this, but it won’t necessarily turn off those who dislike gourmand scents.
Although I am quite fond of Armani Prive’s Ambre Orient and Dior’s Mitzah (and actually found them somewhat similar), there was a thread of slightly sharp crunchiness, for lack of a better word, running through them which put me off a tiny bit. In fact, in a review which I can now no longer find to give proper credit, a blogger referred to Alambar as “Mitzah’s little sister,” so I wasn’t the only one to see the family resemblance.
I’ve tried this dabbed and sprayed and love it both ways. Who knows? Alambar just might be one that will gain rare FB status among my perfume holdings. And in today’s ever-escalating perfume prices, $140 for 100 mls is quite the bargain. Whoa — back up the truck — did I just type 100 mls? Now that’s a jug o’ juice! At that rate, I’ll be wearing it until I’m 105 (at least).
I need to try the others in this Italian line, which is one you don’t seem to hear a whole lot about. I think Min New York carries it and also First in Fragrance, but is not at any of the other usual suspects (Luckyscent, Beautyhabit, Barney’s, etc.) that I could find.
What about you? Have you found your perfect amber(s) or are you still looking? Or do you have a favorite Laboratorio Olfattivo scent?
Must add this to my “to try” list! Love amber, but it doesn’t get as cold as I like here to wear them often. My favorites are the sweeter ones like Ambra di Nepal and Ambre di Luna (sp?). Anything soft and warm is good by me.
Hey, dear! All these cold/icy/snowy snaps we’ve had have, at the very least, given us more opportunities to enjoy our warm and cozy ambers. I love the Luna but need to try the Nepal (I think). Yum!
Alambar is on my to try list. Fo rme, the problem with ambers is that they’re all ‘the one’. Mizah, Ambre Russe, Ambre Narguile, Ambre Sultan, Tabac Aurea, Ambre 114- I need them all!
Hi, Connie — I agree, it would be nice to have them all. It really is such a great fragrance family, and each scent has its own character and appeal and that makes it really hard to pick just a few favorites. BTW, you’re the second person to list that HdP Ambre, so on my list it goes!
I ADORE Amber fragrances. I have not had the opportunity to sniff the one about which you write — but I certainly must hunt for it!
My favorite ambers are Parfum d’Empire Ambre Russe, MPG Ambre Precieux, Teo Cabanel Alahine, Hermés Ambre Narguile and a cheapie I just discovered —– Jovan Secret Amber!!
Yep, that’s correct – an Amber by Jovan, no less. It is very, very nice. Smells close to Ambre Narguile. Jovan also makes Intense Oud. I know…..synthetic. But still very nice for what it is.
I found my bottles at Fragrantica and/or Amazon. For anyone who likes Amber and/or Oud, these Jovans are a cheap thrill. 🙂
Ooooops — I meant to write Fragrancenet not Fragrantica (not affiliated, just a happy customer)
Woo-hoo, Gwenyth — let’s hear it for those great cheapies / cheap thrills! I didn’t even realize that Jovan was still making much in the way of fragrance, so I learned something new today. And love your amber choices, esp. the Ambre Russe.
I would like to sniff this one. I am an amber-holic….
Guess what: I just received my parcel from SL e-boutique with Ambre SUltan (vaporisateur tout noir)
I am so happy!
I am flying in thick clouds of amber!
And it mingles beautifully with the late drydown of Un Bois Vanille…
What can a perfume-junkie gal want more?
Gentiana, it sounds like you are in heaven! Enjoy that new Serge, and glad to hear it works well with the back end of UBV — perfect!
I also love amber, my current favorites are probably SL Ambre Sultan and SSS Ambre Noir (the Ambre Noir is wonderful on its own, but also works well to emphasize the amber in other fragrances). I’ll have to try this one, thanks for the review!
All right, another Ambre Sultan fan! I’m glad you mentioned the Ambre Noir; I really need to give that a try. How do you find it compares with the AS?
Ambre Noir is very warm and dark, spicy yet not as herbal as AS.
Oh, thanks so much for letting us know about it. It sounds great — must try ASAP!
I love Ambre 115 from Histories de parfums and Ambre Fetiche from Annik Goutal. The first is my soft, fuzzy amber and the second one I think of as my “hippy amber”. Ordered Ambre Precieux unsniffed because I heard it smelled just like the Ambre 115 and had the chance to get it at a great price. It does smell yummy but it makes me itch terribly so I can only spray it on the outside of my clothes when I wear it.
Oh, no, Diana, sorry to hear this about the Precieux. But at least you can enjoy it on your clothing. Thanks for mentioning the Ambre 115; I keep meaning to try it. The Alambar might fall under the “soft, fuzzy amber” category, too. Those kind of scents are so cozy and comforting.
I really enjoy my ambers, but I’ll mention JP Sublime because it was the first: a suggestion from an amazing SA at Sak’s (way) back when I was in my twenties – I went there to get a bottle of Joy, but he talked me into Sublime and, for once, it was a good intervention. A bottle I still have and cherish. Have not tried Alambar yet, but it sounds very appealing. Will fix that soon! 🙂
I’m so glad you mentioned that one; I think I tried it years ago and liked it, and saw something about it recently that made me want to revisit it. Thanks! Do try the Alambar and let us know what you think.
I love Amber and I’m still looking for my perfect Amber fragrance. The long and winding road that leads to the perfect scent will never disappear… 😀
How right you are! Even when you find several you love, there are always more to try. But the search is just so much fun, isn’t it?
MMMMMMMM amber is my favorite note. I have so many amber samples its embarrassing. The hubby bought me a bottle of Ambre Sultan for my birthday and its just gawjus. I haven’t tried this one yet tho – I feel another sample is about to be added to my collection….
Oooh, Sally — lucky you that DH got you such a marvelous scent! The Alambar is softer and doesn’t pack as much of a punch (in a good way) as the Serge, but it’s worth a try for sure.
I love amber … At least, I think I do. A current favorite is 24 Faubourg,and also love Ambre Narguile, although it fades rather quickly on me. Someone tell me if the Faubourg love is more about the orange blossom than the amber!
Hey, Sheri! Mmmm … I love 24, too, but I’ve always thought of it more in terms of the OB. But now that you mention it, I seem to remember that lovely ambery goodness waiting in the wings. When I get home from work tonight, 24 Faubourg here I come!
I will order a sample of this to try. I really do love ambers.
Howdy, Katherine! Do give it a try and let us know what you think of it. Shoot, if I had just gone ahead and gotten the 100 mls of it awhile back, I could have done samples for everyone, right?
I love love love Amber and have many amber perfumes, my favorite thus far being Mona di Orio’s rendition. I adore Ambre Precieux, Ambre d’Or (which I am wearing today in massive amounts), Ambra Aurea, Ramon Monegal Ambra di luna and, of course, Ambre Narguile which I reckon you may find too boozy? I know I am forgetting many others I have in sample form. Amber is one of those things that just make me happy and calms me down at the time it gives me a feeling of intimacy. does that make sense? Well, now I need a sample of Alambar. Immediately!
Hi, lady! You list some lovelies there, most of which I love as well, esp. the Mona and the Ramon Monegal. You’re right, though, about the Ambre Narguile, it’s a bit too boozy or tobacco-ish or something on my skin. I agree — amber is a very calming, grounding scent. Guess I should get gallons of it! 🙂
I like amber but haven’t tried Alambar. It sounds like it needs to be on the sample list plus I like the price! My favorite is L’Ambre des Merveilles. Ones of those that was perfect from the start. Wondering now why I don’t have a FB?!
Oooh, yes, Tiara, that Hermes is a nice one. I just forget about it sometimes. Think you should splurge and get yourself a bottle!
I agree with Tiara. This is my favorite amber, too. And I find that can wear it any time. It was awesome this year at the beach…it has that tiny bit of saltiness along with its amber, ambergris and vanilla. I’m enjoying now in winter, too. I don’t think I’ve tried anything from the LO line. Sounds good!
Howdy, Dina! You are so right — I bet the Hermes would be fabulous at the beach; must try it at spring break this year (might help warm me up) 🙂
Make room for me on the L’Ambre des Merveilles bandwagon!
Hi, Farouche — welcome aboard!!
I adore this fragrance!! A wonderful perfume friend put me on to this and I fell for it completely – it’s perfect 🙂
Yay, Mary! Glad to see another fan of this! Did you break down and buy the big, ol’ honkin’ bottle or are you doing the split/decant route?
Thats a really good price. Have you tried Profumum’s Ambra Aurea? I’m just wondering how it compares? I love it, but I’m refusing to pay $240.00.
Hi, Katherine! I have a sample of the Aurea, which I really like, but I can’t get to it right now (and I can’t quite recall how it compares). I will try it later and post my results. Thanks!
I’m back, Katherine! I did a side-by-side test this morning. The Alambar is a tad sweeter and creamier than the Aurea, which I love, too.
Thank you so much! I’ll try it,