I got to spend a lovely hour in the new Peoria Library yesterday. I’d forgotten how comforting and calming it can be, just spending time in a library. For book lovers, though, spending time in a library can be both calming and invigorating, like walking through Be3rdorf’s jewelry department on the way to the spa. Yesterday’s shimmering afternoon was like that, and it felt very much like Amouage’s newest Library scent, Opus VIII.
My first spritz of this was intriguing – and completely counterintuitive to the actual notes (stick with me – you’ll see what I mean). I got a whiff of calone and a touch of aquatic …okay…that made sense to me…but then I got a big ol’ whallop of carnation (CARNATION?) I would’ve gone to the mat thinking there was carnation allllll up in this one.
Ha! no.
Instead, what I was smelling was a lot of jasmine sambac, front-loaded to the hilt. The combination of jasmine and orange flower combined to create a shiny little cousin to Dia…but that is quickly dispensed with by the introduction of the …not heavier, per se…let’s call them …deeper, more resinous..elements. Yes, resinous. Because halfway through the spritz the frankincense, benjoin and saffron start gently pulsing through the floral opening. But they are not allowed to take over – the jasmine sambac and ylang ylang (which I was holding as a surprise!) hold their own and sweetly cajole the resins into playing nicely, like young men who, upon seeing a lovely young woman walk into a room, stop acting like boys and begin to act like young men worthy of her attention. It’s at this point that the scent becomes truly intriguing, where the chiaroscuro starts to shimmer, the smoke dappling in and out of wan sunlight. This is one of the more ethereal of the Library offerings but don’t let its lightness fool you – with the quality ingredients that Amouage is known for, it’s a longevity Beast. I put it on at 8a and it was there, still doing its dance, at 7p. And I like the aquatic/calone note, even though those aren’t usually amongst notes I consider favorites. But here they serve to lighten what could’ve been a classic floral/woody combo.
Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Ylang Ylang, Orange Flower
Frankincense, Saffron, Ginger, Vetiver, Gaiac Wood
Balsam, Genzoin, Jamaican Bay
Doesn’t it sound interesting? Wouldn’t you like to try it? Well…just drop me a note here, telling me your favorite Amouage (or, if you haven’t tried any, which one sounds most intriguing). I’ll have Bruno spin the random.org wheel and we’ll pick two (TWO!) winners. I’ll send you a small scrab so you can see for yourself!
And once you fall in love with it, you can get it at MiN New York, Luckyscent, Bergdorf Goodman and Parfumerie Nasreen in Seattle – $365/ 100ml
It’s happening again.The new Amouage is comming out and I can’t wait to try it.My favourite right now is my new bottle of Jubilation 25 extrait.
Thank you for the chance to try it. I have not tried Amouage, but I think I would love Dia.
I can’t decide. Sometimes it is Lyric’s rosy warmth…or Epic that plays the same tune with cold spices and less rose…or Fate’s mad spices that alternate between hot and cold with a hint of skankiness. I have not tried any of the library line yet, but I guess it is time to move on now:)
I haven’t tried that many, only Lyric and Dia for women and Fate man. I really liked those. Perhaps the style is
a bit too opulent for me. I haven’t tried any of the Library series. I’d love to!
I haven’t tried many but my favorite is Jubilation XXV. I’d love to try this!
I love that perfume! I thought I was the only one, no one around me knows this perfume 🙂
I own Epic, Memoir and Fate Woman- my favorite Amouages so far. I haven’t really fallen for any of the Library collection yet, but maybe this will be the one!
You know, I have yet to try an Amouage I liked. I don’t know why I don’t like it because I adore Arabian inspired perfumes. I want one with rose and spice.
Like some of the others, I’m behind on my Opus journey. I just finished smelling my through the main line, minus a few, and so far my favorite by far is Beloved Woman. What a complex BEASTLY BEAUTY, and I say that with complete admiration. It is so dense when I first put it on, and it reminds me of the sounds that an orchestra makes to practice and tune before starting, then suddenly it all comes together in an amazing symphony, with different chords taking solos. Out of everything I’ve smelled in my 7 years as a perfumista, it’s one of the most admirable scents. I like several of the others, but nothing compares to Beloved. And have you seen the mini movies by Amouage? I love their marketing, even if I don’t agree that the write up for Beloved matches the amazingness of the scent. I would LOVE to try this one.
I have not had a chance to try any Amouage yet, and I have been kind of overwhelmed on where to start with them. But you had me with tlhis one when you opened the review with the library reference. Since I’m a librarian, and enjoy jasmine, I’d love to start sampling with Opus VIII! Sounds made for me!
Amouage is by far my favorite house. It would be a shorter list to say what I don’t like from them. As for favorites, Tribut Attar, Epic (man and woman), and Opus VI and VII are all standouts.
I love your description of this perfume! I have never tried any Amouage perfumes, but Memoir Woman also sounds really strange and wonderful. Spices plus seaside plus jasmine sounds pretty amazing too! 🙂
I have had only one chance to try this line so far, and I opted out because the place I visited had so many other (and more affordable) niche scents on offer. Also, incense and oud are notes I often have trouble with. I would lovw to try this scent from the Library collection, old libraries are facinating. And I tend to like jasmine in perfume.
Fate Woman is my fave but I am behind on the Opuses
Big fan of Interlude man,also like opus Vii, would love to try this out
I think Memoir Woman is the only one I’ve tried. So happy for Sally M. $100 for Gold in the mosque bottle. Quite the find!
I’d love to try this one – thanks for the generous draw.
I adore Gold – I found a bottle of it at an Antiques & Collectible show for $100! The formulation in the mosque bottle!! With the box!!! FULLLLLLL!!!!! I couldn’t believe my eyes – or my nose. Twas the real deal and the woman who was selling it was apologetic that it was “so expensive.” I put on an appropriately pained expression but forked out my money and then ran cackling like a loon to the DH who was looking at “manly” things several booths down.
Whoo-hoo– congratulations on that fabulous score, Sally! And reading how you dealt with it, just made me laugh out loud. I think I would have done the same thing, and perhaps even tried to get her to lower her price, all the while being thrilled that I could have it at $100. Way to go!!
Ha! I almost did just that Ann – I was thinking of shaking my head and looking woebegone and poor, but she was such a nice lady I just couldn’t go thought with it.
Jubilation 25 and Gold Woman are my favorites so far, although I have not tried them all. I also liked Lyric and Epic (I only tried the women’s versions) very much. I would love a chance to try one of the library scents!
I have several Amouage scents and appreciate the quality of them all, even the ones that don’t work for me. I must say that Epic has to be my favorite. Closely followed by Opus VII, Interlude and Tribute.
DNEM Am I the only one? I have tried 3 different Amouage perfumes and don’t like any of them.
My favorite is Lyric Woman, and I’ve also had decants of Memoir, Epic, and Fate. I liked Opus III quite a lot too but have been making do with samples. Would love to try this new one.
I’ve never tried any Amouage, but Fate for Woman sounds divine! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Oooh interesting!
Have not tried this or most of the library series, but love the two I’ve tried!
I love Jubilation XXV, and Library IV maybe, the one that’s super ambery.
Also trying both Interludes.
I would love to try this Amouage, I have not tryed any!
Well, this is an exciting draw… I didn’t smell any of the Opus series, I was “busy” with the others- tried most of the fragrances found in European distribution..
Till now, Jubilation Woman is my absolute favorite and on the muuust-haaave-a-FB-but-I-don’t-have-the-money-for-it list… Ubar seemed again exciting (on paper), I need to try it on skin. The others are all well crafted, opulent fragrances, work well on my skin (except Memoir Woman), I would be very happy to smell like any of them but none of them thrilled me like Jubilation.
I am keen to try the Opus collection, the idea it is built on is original, and, somehow, … posh (?).
I cross my fingers to win one of the Opus VIII samples.
I love and own Gold, Dia, Lyric, Epic and Memoir (all Woman). Thus far Lyric and Dia are my favorites. I’ve never tried the Library collection partly due to the price tag of the Amouage line. But I can’t complain about the quality of the line though.
I am a perfumista newbie. I have not had the pleasure of sampling any of the Amouage line, although Beloved and Gold Woman are on my wish list. I used be all about vanilla and amber, but I my preferences are changing at an alarming (yet pleasing!) rate. Thank you for this opportunity!
My favorite so far is Epic Women. You had me at carnation, even if it’s not really carnation…
I’ve tried Ciel, Reflection, Dia, and Memoir Woman. My favorite so far is Dia. Your talk about carnation made me crave it, so today I’m wearing Terracotta Voile d’Ete. Who cares if it’s not summer!?! This has a nice carnation note.
I love this house. Ok, they are (beyond) expensive, but the quality is evident and delectable. The classic French style of the fumes interpreted with top ingredients is all I want, and the 1001 nights thing appeals to me. My favorites are Epic, Jubilation 25 and Gold, and it would be hard to choose one – so grateful there are decants! Have yet to try the Library Collection and most masculines. This one with calzone, I must say, kind of scares me a bit.:)
I’ve tried Lyric and Jubiliation, and liked both, but not enough to buy. But I’m definitely with you on the library love – calming invigoration is exactly what I find there. And in these days of ebooks, I’m still clinging to the tactile charms of the old-fashioned printed book.
My favorite Amouage is Memoir Man as it was the one that got me hooked on Amouage. To me it was the perfect balance of uniqueness and wearability. It was love at first sniff! A close 2nd is Opus VII. Absolutely amazing drydown!
Great review! And I see that we see this perfume a little bit different.
My press sample from Amouage offices arrived yesterday, my review is agreed with mr Chong to be published on Monday
Sounds neat. My favorite Amouage so far is Gold Man, with Epic Woman coming in second.
Hi dear Musette, hope you are staying warm! I haven’t tried many Amouages but so far Interlude Woman is a favorite, so dense and spicy. And I’m team carnation, too.
I would like so much to try this one…
I liked Opus VI a lot and had the chance to try on skin Opus VII which I admired
Thanks for the draw
I only tried Gold long time ago when I was living in Middle East. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much about it… the only thing I remember was civet… It was the time I was soooo fed up with the overwhelming amount of incense everywhere! My olfactory system was close to the shut down mode from the daily assault…
Opus VIII sounds interesting. Being a bookworm, I’m drawn to literature & library theme.
I’ve tried two or three from the Opus line. Can’t remember their numbers though, or which one I found interesting enough.
My favourite Amouage is Memoir woman, so far…
My favorite is Fate woman. But this one sounds very interesting!
I have only tried Reflection Man and I love it. I spend pretty much 10 hours a day in a library and I love it.
I haven’t tried any Amouage but I’ve been lusting over the notes for Memoir Woman for a while. The library theme of this Amouage offering pleases the book-nerd in me. I love the feeling of being in a library….so calming.
My favourite Amouages (this week, at least) are Fate Woman and Majan
Lyric Woman is my favorite so far, but I think Jubilation is next on my list to try.
I’ve never tried Amouage! The Fate Woman sounds lovely, as does Opus VIII. Thanks for the chance to try it. Cheers!
Gold is my favorite, but I have only tried Dia, Lyric, and Epic other than that. They are really all beautifully crafted and intriguing, it is probably the house that I am most impressed by. I would really love to try this, I think I would like it, but mostly because it’s hard for me to imagine how it all comes together! Resins plus ylang ylang plus calone/aquatic sounds like a hot mess, but I have no doubt that it sings.
two embarrassing admissions: #1 i’ve never smelled anything by Amouage (which i constantly call Amourage. so maybe that’s three admissions.)
#2 i used to go to libraries for the boys as much as the books. i mean, COME ON… a boy who reads??? this was of course, long before the interwebs.
ok, let’s make this 5 admissions and then given the last comment i made i will stand against the wall for the firing squad. 😉
#4 i adore carnation. love it love it love it!!! carnation absolute is just… * le sigh*
#5 i also think the idea of a perfume lasting almost 12 hours is a bit frightening. yes, i understand for many this represents money well spent, but for me it represents the frightening idea of chemicals which have been calculated to rest on my skin all day… leeching into my body. well, at least it smells good. *Laugh* as Maude in ‘Harold & Maude’ says, “…consistency is not really a human trait.” besides, the ritual of the spritz is one of the most addictive, wonderful, spiritual, magical, delightful moments i have in a day.
ok, i’m going to the wall now… for pity’s sake… AIM. 😉
I will line up right next to you. I have never sampled Amouage either and, for a different reason, find 12 hours of scent daunting. My problem is that I might get a headache at hour 2 and spend the next 10 wishing I didn’t smell good. I have also haunted libraries for boys (long, long ago) and love carnation.
awww! you’d really stand with me in front of a firing squad? i LIKE you Liz. 😉 luckily for us, this posse is a pretty accepting bunch! now i suppose we owe it to ourselves to find someone with a spritz of Amou(r)age anything and at least smell it.
Have a Jubilation sample which I need to revisit, and based on the notes, would like to try Dia. Don’t usually care for calone, but am curious about this one because of the carnation.
So far I’ve only tried Amouage Fate for women and I love it. Very comfortable to wear and so beautiful…
Thanks for the draw!
I’ve tried Interlude Woman and Lyric and wasn’t a huge fan of either. However, I’ve always been curious about their library line and would love to try this based on the notes you’ve listed. Thanks for the opportunity!
I keep trying to like Lyric Woman, but I’m just not a rose fan. I love Memoir Woman, though. Something about it just works for me.
I haven’t tried any of the Library Collection, so I’d love to be entered in the draw.
I haven’t tried the Opus Vlll. As a book lover, I loved your description of walking through the library. There is nothing like the feel, smell, heft of a real book. Thanks for the draw.
My favorite amouage is Memoir man. I love how it goes from vibrant and very alive greens to ash and smoke, from life to death, all in a single wearing. Very memento mori.
Hey, darling! Hope you are doing well, feeling better and staying warm. I am luxuriating today in Memoir Woman. As Magmat above said, it really makes you feel sexy and mysterious. This Opus sounds lovely, from your description and the notes. Alas, the Opus series so far has not agreed with my skin, but that’s OK. Am hoping this one will be the charm. Of course, no draw for me. Thanks!
Of the ones I’ve tried, Jubilation 25 for women is definitely my favorite. But then I’m a sucker for fruity chypre. It’s a love at first sniff.
I love Amouage fragrances, but one of my most favorite is Amouage Memoir – something about it just makes me feel so beautiful and sexy! The notes for Opus VIII sound fascinating!!
You had me at carnation. I haven’t tried many of the Amouage perfumes. I do like Fate Woman and both of the Interludes have grown on me.
I hope you and the chickens are staying warm.
Im an Amouage lover. My faves are Homage, Opus V, and Gold Man. Havent tried any new ones for a while as i am also a niche fumehead on a beerbelly pocketbook. Thanks for the drawing luring me from the shadows.
This sounds interesting. I have not tried many things by Amouage, except Lyric Woman which sadly did not work for me. I am dying to try Gold Woman, though. The notes of Opus VIIII are stunning. I love them all specially saffron.