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Fath's Essentials

Bel Ambre Jacques Fath 2016

7.7 / 10 164 Ratings

A popular perfume by Jacques Fath for women and men, released in 2016. The scent is spicy-oriental. It is being marketed by Panouge.
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Main accords

Spicy

Oriental

Sweet

Resinous

Woody

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Black pepper

Juniper berry

Bergamot

Lemon

Heart Notes

Orris butter

White blossoms Caraway

Caraway

Base Notes

Amber

Musk

Leather

Vetiver

Perfumer

Cécile Zarokian

Ratings

Scent

7.7164 Ratings

Longevity

7.5140 Ratings

Sillage

6.8137 Ratings

Bottle

7.5121 Ratings

Value for money

6.933 Ratings

Submitted by Franfan20, last update on 11/02/2025.

Interesting Facts

The fragrance is part of the Fath's Essentials collection.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Grand Soir Eau de Parfum

Musc Ravageur Eau de Parfum

Amber

Shalimar Parfum Initial L'Eau

Lagerfeld Classic / Lagerfeld (1978) (Eau de Toilette) by Karl Lagerfeld

Lagerfeld Classic Eau de Toilette

Kensington Amber

Reviews

7 in-depth fragrance descriptions

07/20/2024

6.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Jomas
32 Reviews

Jomas

2

Rather iris than amber

Bel Ambre is not exactly an amber, or at least not what I mean by amber. According to my nose, the main character here is a powdery-balsamic, violet leaning iris. Not pencil shavings, nor lipstick or powder makeup, but talcum powder in combination with some baby wipes.

Some say it’s similar to Guerlain's Parfum Initial. I haven’t smelled any of the Initial versions, but the comparison may be justified, because Bel Ambre strongly reminds me of Ibisco (L'Erbolario), which is massively voted as similar to Parfum Initial. Twisted are the ways of perfumery! :)) Although Ibisco has a fresher opening and Bel Ambre seems to attack directly with the middle notes, the latter is less sweet and more airy, the benzoin here is lighter than the elemi resins in Ibisco, and the lack of ylang is welcome.

As time goes by, the amber (more vanillic than resinous) gains more and more power. It’s not overwhelming, but still enough for someone whose relationship with vanilla goes from bad to worse to step aside.

06/07/2016

9.5Scent 9Longevity 7Sillage

ParfumAholic
257 Reviews

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ParfumAholic

Top Review 46

When the World Seems to Stand Still…

Like every year in May, we spent a few days on our favorite relaxation island, Ibiza, this year as well. Usually, no one can get me out of bed before 8 AM while on vacation, but sometimes my inner alarm clock goes off at the usual wake-up time of 6, and I can't fall back asleep. This also happened during this vacation.

So I got up (unlike at home, there was no trace of tiredness at this hour), made myself a big cup of coffee, put on my sweat jacket, and sat outside on the balcony.
It was quite fresh, not really bright yet, the sky was gray and overcast, and the surroundings were very quiet, still, and peaceful. In the bay, a yacht gently rocked in the waves, and the whole scene almost had a surreal quality to it.
I snuggled deep into my jacket, enjoyed the hot coffee, and felt completely at one with myself and the incredibly calm and decelerated world around me. One could almost believe that the world was standing still, and everything mundane was far away and forgotten.

As I sat there, other notes mixed with the scent of the hot coffee that I couldn't initially identify. But then it became clear to me that it was the residual scent of "Bel Ambre."
I had taken my leftover sample on vacation and worn it the night before. Since it was quite fresh in the evening, one always needed a jacket; in this case, it was my sweat jacket, which now revealed the last traces of the scent.
"Bel Ambre" starts just as the still young morning presented itself to me: fresh. A hint of fine pepper mixes with a splash of bergamot, creating a pleasantly citrusy-spicy impression that, however, does not bite the nose. The listed juniper berries may be present, but I didn't notice them.
After this successful opening, I can no longer distinguish between heart and base notes. An exceedingly soft-creamy iris note mingles with (white) flowers that I cannot name, as they form a kind of "flower carpet" that never becomes "flowery" or overwhelming. This scent constellation alone makes me appreciate and love the fragrance immensely.
Golden-yellow and finely spicy amber threads, clean musk (more from the clean scent faction), and very soft and finest leather nuances are elegantly complemented or rounded off by vetiver.

This scent mélange is simply a feast for the senses. Warm, soft, and sporty-elegant, it envelops me but does not feel static, as the gentle spiciness of the amber continually provides lively sprinkles.
And somehow "Bel Ambre" felt strangely familiar to me, reminding me a bit of "Aura Sublime" by Bijon, just not quite as super smooth as the aforementioned fragrance.
When I then read that Cécile Zarokian composed both "Bel Ambre" and "Aura Sublime," much became clearer to me. The signature is unmistakable; however, "Bel Ambre" is not a clumsy copy of "Aura Sublime," as "Bel Ambre" is (in the best and most positive sense) distinctly more "down-to-earth" and less playful.
If "Aura Sublime" seems a tad too elegant and too "evening-like," then "Bel Ambre" could be a suitable and very long-lasting companion for all seasons, at any time of day, and for any occasion.

Could a day start more beautifully?

07/22/2018

8Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Serenissima
1222 Reviews

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Serenissima

Top Review 16

Here the spark can jump!

Despite my preference for the world of "high fashion" and the luck of being able to accompany many of the well-known couturiers since the sixties, I must admit that Jacques Fath was only known to me on the periphery.
That had to change, because alongside Christian Dior (who doesn't know him?) and Pierre Balmain, Jacques Fath is also one of the most influential designers of post-war Haute Couture.
So I started to dig around and was well rewarded for it:
As a self-taught individual, Jacques Fath had developed his extraordinary eye as the foundation for his later success through regular visits to museums and exhibitions and studying contemporary literature and magazines.
I can imagine that this "food for the eyes and senses" surely brought him much joy.
He certainly did not suspect at the time that he was laying the groundwork for receiving the "Fashion Oscar" in 1949.

This man impressed throughout his life with his elegant appearance, was full of temperament and charm.
Very generous, full of life, and equipped with an infallible sense of beauty and luxury, he knew what women dreamed of and implemented this knowledge in his eponymous company.

This company later employed leading designers as students and employees, such as Hubert de Givenchy (just think of the wardrobe for the ethereal Audrey Hepburn), Guy Laroche, and Valentino Garavani.
Names that are also known to us through their dreamy fragrance creations.
The beautiful Margaretha Ley, the later founder of the label "Escada," was one of the top models of the house of Jacques Fath.
It is certainly worthwhile to delve deeper into the life and work of this true artist.

"Chasuble," his first perfume, was released in 1945, and by 1950 the company "Parfums Jacques Fath" was founded. Thus, even today, his name stands for beauty and sophistication in the realm of perfumes and guarantees continuous new creations in this field.

"Fath's Essentials - Bel Ambre" carries so much classic elegance and grace that I initially estimated it to be much older; I would place it at the latest in the "heyday" of radiant fragrances, the seventies and eighties.
My surprise was complete when I read the year of release.

"Bel Ambre" opens with a very beautiful bergamot nuance, underlined by the freshness of lemon.
Black pepper, not too sparingly dosed, immediately brings a certain fire to the fragrance; the juniper berry adds an attractive spiciness. - Everything complements each other very well already here!
Iris butter - aha, what there is! - adds the fine scent of a surely brightly blooming iris.
Caraway spices with a slight glow, and a bit of jasmine and tuberose surely also belong to the so-called "white flowers" in the local pyramid.
The light fire evoked by the top note is already flickering quite vividly in my senses.
The famous "spark" has already jumped: "Bel Ambre" is now beginning to shine!
Thus, the leather note (which is usually a bit critical for me) harmonizes well with the previous scent progression; it is refined and "spiced up," gaining depth.
Vetiver grounds pleasantly, and a musk-laden embrace leads to the radiance of the golden amber; the climax of this fragrance creation.

Even I can enjoy this for several hours; I would gladly wish that the fire that "Fath's Essentials - Bel Ambre" has ignited in my senses would last longer.
Unfortunately, "the Spark in my Bonfire Heart" (to quote the latest song by James Blunt that has been swirling in my head for hours) fades rather quickly.
That is a real shame!

And yet, the acquaintance with this fragrance is one that I do not want to miss.
It is so beautiful, so vibrant for me; I would be sorry if this beauty had passed me by!
So I thank Angelliese here for the generous sample.

----
A quick note on my own behalf:
I had to read today that the perfume comments here are intended for the analysis and representation of personal scent perceptions and not to share anecdotes and "little stories."
Serafina asked some time ago, even in a blog, for tolerance; I would like to join her request.

04/09/2021

9Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Leimbacher
2871 Reviews

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Leimbacher

Top Review 17

Butter Soft Beer Shower

"Bel Ambre" by J. Fath is a butter-soft iris scent that leaves me wavering between positive speechlessness and a bit of boredom. A little malty, very creamy and powdery, but without any makeup associations. Simply delicious. Almost praline-like. Unisex all the way. Worthy of being a signature scent if you love iris. A sympathetic fragrance.

For a long time, it was almost too round and perfect. Caraway and leather in the later stages give it a few edges. But still soft to the end. A perfect softie. I want to swim in it. This is high quality. It melts on the tongue. Comfortingly good. Niche yet made for everyone. Simple. Beautiful. Juicy. You don’t have to be an alcoholic to want to drink this scent...

Bottle: royal!
Sillage: delicately strong!
Longevity: expanding! (8 hours)

Conclusion: a creamy-edged iris satisfaction. Calorie-rich and comet-like. Soft and rich in feel-good factor.

05/20/2025

8Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Taurus
1164 Reviews

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Taurus

Very helpful Review 15

Rough Lagerfeld with Suede

Although Bel Ambre is a typical autumn/winter fragrance, I felt like testing it on a sunny spring day. You can do that, especially since this amber is not too heavy and by no means sweet and cloying. Additionally, the top notes feature lemon and bergamot, promising a citrusy start.

Right after spraying, immediately behind the lemon and a hint of pepper, I was reminded of two different creations: on one hand, "Lagerfeld Classic / Lagerfeld (1978) (Eau de Toilette) | Karl Lagerfeld," just without sandalwood and less smooth, and on the other hand, even more intensely, "Cuir Ottoman | Parfum d'Empire," which also contains leather like "Bel Ambre," but does without lemon.

What dominates, as the name suggests, is definitely amber combined with musk and powdery notes, particularly the complex iris butter. This creates warmth and coziness, making it a typical cold-weather or rainy-day scent, but also thanks to the leather with a slight animalic and rough edge. It’s actually an interesting duality between culture and wildness, which can even be worn well in the evenings during summer.

Anyone who can imagine a rougher #lagerfeld classic with a bit of suede should consider trying Bel Ambre. It may be anything but ordinary - but beautiful.

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