Alambar Laboratorio Olfattivo 2009

Many here tend to place it in the gourmand category, and while I can't entirely disagree with this assessment, it is just one of many nuances that the fragrance has to offer, and in its expression, it is not even the strongest. Rather, this spectrum is mostly left to the after-hours, as Alambar certainly makes an impression with its bold character beforehand. And I am pleased to state: I wouldn't want to miss this part.

The opening of the fragrance is pure and intense. Unfiltered, the amber immediately takes the reins; I wouldn't classify what is presented in this phase as particularly flattering, but rather as resinous and raw. However, that doesn't matter, as Alambar conveys an undaunted zest for life, a green-soapy note paired with a hearty spiciness prevents the fragrance from slipping into the oriental.

Gradually, vanilla is added in a fine expression during the hearty and somewhat indulgent first half hour. Soft and dry, it takes away the coarseness of the fragrance and leads us into calmer waters. It is worth mentioning that Alambar does not get lost in voluminous praline tones, but rather does all this with the necessary restraint. Additionally, I also perceive a finely spicy sharpness; I would almost bet that a bit of clove is part of the mix.

In the dry down, Alambar becomes round, soft, and - now we have arrived - gourmand. The transformation that the fragrance has undergone over the hours pleases me immensely. While it was initially rich and almost designed for the immediate surroundings, in the last third it is reserved solely for the wearer. I truly appreciate a certain tension, both in terms of its content and its perceptual degree. This certainly also applies to a cocoa note that prefers to converse in whispers: after all, it is the fine nuances that make life truly interesting.