L'Ambre des Merveilles Hermès 2012

Can four common, simple notes create a memorable perfume? Apparently so, if L'Ambres des Merveilles contains only amber, labdanum, pathcouli and vanilla, as reported. I sniffed for hidden ingredients to account for its appeal, but all I can smell throughout is those four, which luckily are among my favorites. The result is an ambery/vanilla so warm and smooth it almost smells like caramel -- labdanum and patchouli lending interest and sophistication. During my latest perfume counter sojourn I kept returning to it, captivated by its simple beauty. I can't see wearing it if dressed to the nines, but this comfy scent is fine for the office, for a night in, for a sporting event, for roasting marshmallows around a campfire. I can picture a favorite wool sweater smelling of it. Here minimalism works. In L'Ambre des Merveilles, less is more.