Mxxx. Eris Parfums 2019

Mxxx. is said to contain high doses of ambergris and hyraceum, both from natural resources. One would expect a certain level of animalic funk, but there is no sign of that at all. However, there is this unmistakable fresh-warm ambergris glow. Contrary to ambergris in synthetic form, which can be all too linear or even deteriorating over time, this just keeps evolving and getting better by the hour.

To get to this sweet ambergris glow, one will have to sit through a few meaningless stages. The opening may be somewhat interesting with its chocolate-tobacco notes, but these soon fade into a bland greyness of saffron, ginger and a faint resin. Pale and hollow is how I described it in my testing notes. It appears it is a true waiting game for the ambergris to take an active role. By the time it has finally warmed up, things stay in a more comfortable state of cocoa-powdered patina. If there is any hyraceum in here, it does a good job staying hidden.

Mxxx. is not Antoine Lie's best work with ambergris. It feels nice in the end, but a little uninspiring overall. For an unforgettable ambergris experience from Lie's hand, I would recommend Ambre Suprême instead.