My second review of Amouage's latest collection "The Essences". Review written off one in-doors test off samples purchased directly from Amouage.
Very much like
Lustre,
Reasons borrows heavily from Amouage's existing catalogue. However, unlike Lustre, Reasons doesn't feel like it brings anything new by itself. The somewhat intense opening features significant accord overlap with
Lineage with the spiciness contrasting against green-vegetal type notes. This is perfectly captured by the peruvian pepper tree top note which is also there in Lineage, but it also features patchouli while having some fenugreek-like qualities as well. The mild sweetness is a mix of the cardamom top and a fairly mild benzoin.
When smelling the scent up-close, my initial impression is that it is a more wearable version of
Lineage. There is a nuance of "spoiled fruitiness" somewhere in the top, likely coming from the davana, albeit it does come off somewhat similarly to the fruitiness in "Guidance | Amouage" (which Q. Bisch took from his preceding release with Maison Crivelli). Shortly thereafter, you again begin to notice the inclusion of notes reminiscent of
Jubilation XXV Man, just like
Lustre. However, the drydown appears to be structured primarily as a woody-aromatic scent, mainly giving off the scent of "sweetened pine". Not comparable to sweetened fougère scents nor Serge Lutens'
Fille en aiguilles, but perhaps contrasting the J25 ambers against the aromatic tones featured in Amouage's top summer scent, that being
Beach Hut Man. Ultimately, it is a fairly plain combination of pine, musk, vanilla/benzoin and some apricotty nuances as the opening blast of Lineage-like notes fades and the scent mainly features accords from Guidance, J25 and Beach Hut in the drydown.
Drydown accords: green-woody-spicy-creamy-sweet
Conclusion. As a scent,
Reasons is another scent in "The Essences" collection that features prominent overlap with Amouage's already-released product, primarily borrowing from
Lineage in the top as well as a mix and match of accords from
Beach Hut Man,
Jubilation XXV Man and "Guidance | Amouage" in the drydown. I would have an easier time justifying €420/100ml for this one than
Reasons were it not for the incredibly light performance. Ultimately, I arrive at the same conclusion as the preceding review in stating that the bish-bosh around double infusion and oak barrels is empty marketing speak, but as other brands (e.g. Atelier des Ors) are now entering the market using the same trickery as well, I predict this will be a new lane for brands to milk the consumer.
Top Notes 
Peruvian pepper tree
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Hazelnut
Heart Notes 
Cashmeran
Davana
Amber
Cypriol
Patchouli
Pine
Base Notes 
Palo Santo
Sandalwood
Benzoin
Cedarwood
Cistus
Musk
Myrrh
Oakmoss
Vetiver
Merlotsupern
Wusubi
BertolucciK
DNSB
Omnipotato
ManCam
ScentFan
NicheOnly
AlexD76
