Opus XIV - Royal Tobacco Amouage 2022

Here it is, my second 10 out of 10 rating - all in! By the way, I gave my first one to the beautiful Santal Nabataea. And I dedicate my second 10 out of 10 rating to my second review. Yes - I haven't written much so far, as I usually just quickly type a statement.

Now, to this beautiful fragrance that left me speechless spontaneously. I fell deeply in love with it on the spot and it gave me a goosebumps moment with the urge to close my eyes and embark on an absolute feel-good relaxation thought journey. Wow! I love it when fragrances manage to gain power over thoughts. Of course, preferably in a pleasant, positive direction (because fragrances can certainly do the opposite as well) ;)

This complex scent is perfection. It starts with sweet incense, celebratory, sacred, Christmassy, festive, piney-green. I don't remember ever smelling something like sweet incense before. Subtle, nose-relaxing, enveloping, hypnotic, magnetic. I perceive the anise, which is increasingly becoming a note I appreciate in perfumes. Very complex, I am wafted by alternating smoky, creamy, ethereal-piney, "wellness" notes around my nose. All the while, this subtly sweet, almost fruity note is present. The sillage is absolutely excellent. Gently caressing, not harshly clapping ;) Everything here is so coherent and harmoniously intertwined. A masterpiece!
Whether I consciously perceive basil, I cannot say, but I love it in fragrances, that much I know. The tobacco remains very much in the background, appearing quite tame here, soft & creamy. Not harshly smoky, as is the case with many tobacco scents. I really like it!

What can I say? I discovered a sharing... I MUST have it, I can't help it. It's quite rare for me to participate in a sharing so spontaneously after testing. Usually, my wish list grows steadily at first, and it can be patient until you get a fragrance for (more extensive) testing under your nose.

Royal Tobacco is by far not the first Amouage to leave a lasting impression on me, but it immediately takes the lead by a wide margin. Lilac Love and Journey Woman come to mind, for example. Journey also succeeds in creating a wonderful thought journey, here to distant lands & cultures. I haven't tested any other Amouages in depth yet. It's time for me to thoroughly take on my Amouage decants :D

Amouage's Opus XIV - Royal Tobacco - Highly recommended by me, definitely test it!