Essence N°3: Ambre by Elie Saab
Bottle Design:
Sylvie de France
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Essence N°3: Ambre 2014

8.1 / 10 268 Ratings
A popular perfume by Elie Saab for women and men, released in 2014. The scent is resinous-spicy. The longevity is above-average. It is being marketed by Shiseido Group / Beauté Prestige International.
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Main accords

Resinous
Spicy
Sweet
Oriental
Woody

Fragrance Notes

LabdanumLabdanum BenzoinBenzoin VanillaVanilla VetiverVetiver PatchouliPatchouli

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
8.1268 Ratings
Longevity
8.0231 Ratings
Sillage
7.3230 Ratings
Bottle
8.1216 Ratings
Value for money
7.543 Ratings
Submitted by Freeestyler, last update on 10/29/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Ambre Tigré by Givenchy
Ambre Tigré
Les Signes de Grès - État de Grâce by Grès
Les Signes de Grès - État de Grâce
Grand Soir (Eau de Parfum) by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Grand Soir Eau de Parfum
Bois d'Arménie by Guerlain
Bois d'Arménie
Amber Absolute by Tom Ford
Amber Absolute
Ambra Nobile (Eau de Parfum) by Nobile 1942
Ambra Nobile Eau de Parfum

Reviews

12 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Darkbeat

386 Reviews
Darkbeat
Darkbeat
Helpful Review 2  
A very refined amber
Ambre is a perfume on amber, which shows us a sweet, elegant and very powdery fragrance, somewhat feminine, but nothing worrying for a self-confident man.

The aroma of this perfume is soft, delicate and sweet at all times, although it is not cloying or excessive. It does not show us a hard or intense amber, on the contrary, it shows us the most innocent facet of this resin. At the beginning, very sweet and vanilla amber is perceived, with a quite remarkable resinous air, this vanilla is very well executed and does not have excesses of sweetness. Little by little the aroma begins to dust and you feel the amber wrapped by the vanilla and a floral note that I would not know how to define, and all this, on a background of patchouli and sandalwood. Here the amber loses some sweetness and begins to exude elegance, creating a sophisticated and sober aroma, with a very beautiful and powdery floral-woody point, something feminine, but still exquisite. This way the aroma is maintained until it dies on the skin, except for a small vaporous balsamic veil that appears in the final drying, which could be due to opoponax, but always slightly powdery.

The development of this perfume is very fast, the aforementioned is felt in the first hour of application, then the aroma remains unchanged until the end. This perfume infuses me with the image of an attractive and sophisticated woman, dressed in a suit, an executive, an enterprising woman, who knows what she wants and is not daunted by anything.

The performance of the perfume is good, about 8 or 9 hours on skin and with a very good trail in the first hours, then it goes to moderate high. It is a perfume for cold or temperate climates and to dress it, indifferently, both day and night.

For me, the aroma has a certain feminine air, which makes me not finish loving it and can only say that I like it. It is not feminine to the point of not being able to dress a man, I will continue dressing it until it runs out, but yes, it would be good a tasting before.
0 Comments
MikeMike

39 Reviews
MikeMike
MikeMike
1  
Little well-known gem
A lovely interpretation of sweet amber made by Francis Kurkdjian. True art, with quality ingredients.

A bit bitter opening, you can tell on the resinous woody side. Drying down to really nice sweet amber and vanilla notes. I saw a lot of comments that it is linear, and some point I agree. However, it has a certain deep when you smell it, giving different impressions every time.

Elegant and sexy for daily usage, perfect as well as a more formal scent. If only longevity and silage would be better.

Great price range. I highly recommend to all amber fans.
0 Comments
Meggi

1018 Reviews
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Meggi
Meggi
Top Review 27  
Twofold Meaning
I became acquainted with Mr. Kurkdjian's works even before my time at Parfumo. When my wife and I entered a perfumery for the first time after nearly a ten-year fragrance hiatus, one or another Kurkdjian quickly wafted onto the test strips. A brochure about his 'Maison' came home with us. My impression from the pictures back then, later confirmed with a bit more experience through the fragrances: Despite his robust beard (far beyond, for example, my own capabilities in that regard), the gentleman demonstratively maintains a feminine side. His fragrances with gender-specific designations in the name are all universally wearable. Yes, yes, I know. I mean, of course: Also for people who attribute significance to such classifications. Obviously, he seems to enjoy a certain duality.

It was only at Parfumo that I discovered what else the good man is responsible for. Among other things, he is behind Elie Saab's Essence N°3: Ambre. Ambre can apparently (I don't speak French) also mean two things, even if an attached 'gris' is missing. Amber or Ambra? In fact, I think Mr. Kurkdjian refers to both here. And both are derived from vanilla.

At the beginning, it is quite subtly and hardly perceptibly hinted at, and thus can indeed remind one of amber for a good one to two hours. After that, a roughened note settles over the fragrance, like fine, white leather. However, this is by no means so intensely processed that it would be stripped of any original scent. I am surprised by its presence, even though it is overall used in a restrained manner.

And from this airy veil, with the help of the resin, an amber note develops during the third hour, initially more of a hint, but becoming increasingly noticeable over time. It is velvety and ethereal.

The real surprise is, of course, that I perceive the fragrance as not very sweet despite the friendly vanilla emphasis. Mr. Kurkdjian has managed to keep the vanilla consistently delicate and fragrant; it neither drifts towards pudding nor is it held on the right, i.e., unsweetened path with a leather/smoke whip like Mona di Orio. For fans of refined vanilla fragrances, this is certainly a celebration!

Throughout the afternoon, the fragrance gradually darkens. A greenish vetiver note emerges, which I would have had quite a bit to nibble on without prior notice. Additionally, the fragrance becomes resinous; from the eighth hour on, the amber can almost be described as dusty. Patchouli is completely plausible. Slightly grounded. At the last moment, more than ten hours have passed and the fragrance is entirely on the skin, the amber finally takes on a dark, creaky twist. But those are just the final twitches.

Conclusion: A subtly elegant vanilla fragrance that can easily be worn even on a hot summer day.

I thank Gerdi for the sample and join her appeal: The fragrance would be worth reviving.
15 Comments
DaveGahan101

535 Reviews
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DaveGahan101
DaveGahan101
Top Review 22  
Not for Hombre of Ambre
Elie Saab is stored in my mind as very valuable, noble, and feminine. Unfortunately, you don't come across her fragrances very often, so you can't test them in detail. Therefore, my thanks go to Rustcole for the lovely sample. The Oud was a bit too strict and sharp for me, let's see if the Ambre does better.
I'll let the cat out of the bag right away... Ambre is beautiful and wonderfully crafted. A velvety carpet with endless melt... buttery soft, gentle with an extra large portion of warmth. So far, only one amber fragrance has pleased me, Dior's Ambre Nuit - a wonderful women's scent, but Ellie's creation might just be on par with it. This mix of balsamic notes and vanilla-benzoin is very enchanting, the minimal spicy freshness in the background I attribute to the soft vetiver, and I also perceive the bright, slightly ethereal note... could this be labdanum... hmm difficult... it doesn't matter anyway... I don't want to dissect the scent... as the fragrance carpet is simply too beautiful as a whole. Nothing slips into the sweaty or slightly animalistic realm, not a gram... everything has exactly the right dosage, which once again speaks for Kurkdjian... I can simply relate to his style the most. At times, Ambre fleetingly reminds me of Double Vanille by Guerlain... here too, the warm-spicy mix makes your heart glow. I believe you can't really explore the amber theme much better... even though I am absolutely not a big fan of this note... as I said, with the exception of Ambre Nuit. Both share the fact that I prefer to "see" them on a woman; of course, men can wear it too, but it's not exactly the ideal fit, as I believe only on a woman does this scent spark. On men's skin, it develops a bit more ruggedly, bringing out the herb-animalistic aspect of amber more. The only small downside I must note is that the scent basically "stands still"... meaning it doesn't change significantly, which can quickly lead to boredom for me. However, this is analytically speaking... emotionally, it is simply fantastic, full of sensuality and romance.
The longevity is clearly above average at 8 hours, the sillage is strong in the first hour, then a tad above mediocre... in plain English... just right!
Clear recommendation to all romantic, sensual, cuddly, jubilant, indulgent women!
10 Comments
Jas0N

61 Reviews
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Jas0N
Jas0N
Top Review 19  
Friday Evening, 6:47 PM
He stood in front of his mirror. Restless. What should he wear? Shirt? Polo shirt? Jeans? And what kind of weather was it anyway? Mid-September, 22 degrees, humid, drizzling, the sun peeks through now and then, but it’s mostly cloudy.
Not only does he not know what to wear, but he also struggles with choosing his perfume.
He is usually someone who has the right scent for every occasion and every season, but today, he is simply not satisfied with any of his options.

“It couldn’t have come at a worse time,” he thought. Today is the date he has been looking forward to for so long, and he can’t find either the right jeans or the suitable fragrance to accompany him.

Panic set in, and while he frantically rummaged through his samples and decants, he paused. Well, it seemed to him that some scents had been forgotten. He spotted Essence N*3 and vague memories surfaced. Wasn’t that a Kurkdijan? And didn’t he like it very much during the first testing? The rising panic gradually subsided.
Carefully, he brought his nose to the spray head. “Hmpf,” went through his mind. This is good, how could this be forgotten?

An immensely sensual and beautiful amber, soft, gourmand, warm, captivating. Sweet vanilla, well balanced within the overall structure. Sweet, but not too sweet. Over time, a slight fresh note joins in - just on the edge, hardly discernible.
Sensual still, without becoming harsh, unbalanced, or dirty.
N*3 fades out with a balsamic touch.
At first, he noticed a slight reference to Tauer’s No. 2.
Amber in perfection, even better than in Ambre Orient.
A fantastic scent, without needing to name a reason for an occasion.

As he was able to fully organize the impressions and memories from his thoughts and returned to the present, he caught himself smiling.
How quickly it could happen. He had found his fragrance.

And now just hold the fabric to his nose. Maybe this will help too...

7 Comments
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Statements

55 short views on the fragrance
2
really enjoyable to wear: in Kurkdjian We Trust! interesting to see others describing this as sweet, though- to my nose this is a dry amber.
0 Comments
1
Initially more patch than amber, but a lovely warm, woody patch with soft vanilla tones in between. Later it becomes golden-amber-resinous.
0 Comments
15
2
Amber of arrogance: smiling, but with disdain in her eyes, she whispers to the other Ambers: if I was you, I'd wanna be me too...
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2 Comments
12
A warm amber-colored gourmand, sweet and cozy scent. Wonderful for the cold days.
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12
2
Sweet, resinous, creamy labdanum reveals a gourmand vanilla, milk chocolate-infused, subtly earthy sweet warmth.
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2 Comments
12
Wrapped in warmth - enveloped by dark vanilla, resinous notes, and slightly earthy patchouli, I drift away. Beautiful amber scent!
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12
2
Amber as an expensive lover: sensual and seductive, but not pleasing. The hours together are not a pastime, but the culmination.
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2 Comments
10
4
Dense smoke envelops me,
enchants, delights me.
Soft vanilla embraces,
warms, caresses me.
And I let myself fall...
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4 Comments
9
6
The opening with labdanum is spicy/creamy; the next player is the patch, which complements harmoniously; after 2 hours...
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6 Comments
9
For me, it's unsweetened, dry-woody amber. Reminds me of the smell of old book pages :) Beautiful, atmospheric scent.
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