Time to reach out more for the scents that cut through the cold. I wear whatever I feel like all year round, but there are a few scents that fare better in the cold. Ambra Aurea is one of them. Not necessarily because it is an amber scent, but because it is so thick and oily that it often becomes suffocating in the heat, while it envelops you like a warm cocoon during the cold Winter months. It is one of the most renowned Amber perfumes on the market, and rightfully so. Among the true amber fragrances in my collection, it is the least dynamic and unique, but it delivers in quality what it lacks in diversity. My main complaints with Profumum Roma scents are: 1) they are rather linear, and 2) too sweet for my tastes. Boy, they sure love their sweetness. However, Ambra Aurea, while it is sweet, never gets on my nerves. There is a strong bitterness from the myrrh, as well as a saltiness from the ambergris to help offset the sweetness. Surprisingly, this is an amber scent that is rather complex, going through several transitions along the way. I think it is one of the strongest creations in their line, at least for my tastes. It opens up with a strong note of myrrh that smells bitter, medicinal, and earthy to the point of feeling fungal. It has this oily texture from the get-go, almost like you're applying essential oil rather than perfume, but then these Profumum scents are very concentrated. There is also a saline quality with a hint of muskiness and tobacco-like facets, most likely attributed to the ambergris. As it settles down, it becomes sweeter, smokier, and more toffee-like. It gets significantly sweeter compared to the opening, but is kept in check by the other factors. Another thing that becomes more apparent as it evolves is the smokiness. For the first two hours or so, I wouldn’t call this a smoky amber, but in the dry-down, it gets really smoky. I like how it progresses, and I appreciate the quality of materials and the ratios used to create the perfect balance. As mentioned, it’s not a unique take on amber, but surely one of the best interpretations on the market, and of very high quality also.
