Oriental Essence - Victoire d'Ambre Rituals 2017

This pleasant little fragrance is unmistakably composed by Rituals. I love Rituals anyway, most of their products absolutely appeal to me, and so far I have also acquired several miniatures of their fine waters.

With this limited winter edition, however, I had to indulge on a larger scale! Unmistakably beautiful, soft, fluffy, warm, and cozy, "Victoire d'Ambre" presents itself. At the first spray, my second favorite from Rituals immediately came to mind: "Elixir d'Orient"! The two share some notes, such as the slightly smoky-pencil-like scent with a beautifully sweet-woody base. Only this one is a bit smokier and yet more pleasing. What distinguishes them is definitely the amber, which makes the Victoire much more cuddly and agreeable. The Elixir, on the other hand, has a more robust oriental note and just a touch more sweetness. That's why another great amber scent immediately came to mind: "Jade". In my opinion, the Victoire is a blend of these two treasures.

But no matter how you look at it, this fragrance simply gives me an absolute sense of well-being and satisfaction. Perfect for days like today, when it's icy outside and I have been completely distracted and overtired since I woke up. That's exactly when Victoire d'Ambre completely embraces me, wraps me in its beautiful velvet blanket, and soothes my mind. I feel like I'm in a calming massage room, immersed in the finest oils of this world.

I think this fragrance could also compete among the high-priced rivals, as it smells absolutely luxurious! The longevity is good for me at about 6 hours, and on clothing, it is even perceptible for several days. The sillage is just right, so I catch whiffs of it repeatedly, and it can bring me back down. That's exactly how I like it! Not too much and not too little.
The bottle is kept simple and, with its wooden cap and golden color, fits the fragrance very well. A total work of art that one should actually hoard!