Ô Hira Stéphane Humbert Lucas 2013

A fragrance named after Hira, the Mountain of Light, where Mohammed is said to have received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel. It is supposed to represent the alleged pinnacle and "diamond" of the already expensive and exclusive collection by Stéphane Humbert Lucas, which is made clear to the affluent clientele by the far highest price of well over €1000 per 100ml. Resins buried underground for centuries are transformed into fossil amber - amber. There are rumors about other fragrance ingredients. Oud, saltpeter, cinnamon, earthy notes, vanilla, and tonka are being discussed, but there are no clear statements. Many hints suggest a special quality and not least a uniquely beautiful scent - it is quite predictable that reviewers can hardly contain their praise. We are talking about the ultimate amber. The reference.

I already had a rough idea of the direction Ô Hira was going, and yes, it blows me away. Only one spray was necessary, as the sillage is too much in the first hours. However, olfactorily speaking, I was less surprised.

Ô Hira presents itself as a nice amber that settles less in the sweet-gourmand direction but rather in the woody-resinous orientation of this genre. In these realms, you can also find Ambre Fétiche or the wonderful Ryder.

At the beginning, I notice a rather prominent, schnapps-like cognac note. Barrel-aged might describe it best. This is, of course, based on a dark, viscous, slightly medicinal-bitter, woody-earthy amber note that is in focus. After a while, the resinous tones shift in a slightly rotten direction, which is probably sold online under the euphemism of "earthy notes." Fortunately, this is only briefly pronounced, and otherwise, a rather monotonous, woody-resinous scent remains. There is hardly any development or transparency. The fragrance becomes quieter, and vanilla tones join in, becoming sweet-soft as is usual in the base and quickly much quieter. On the skin, I now have the association of rotting wood and a vanilla-flavored whisky.

Now one might misunderstand me and think that I completely dislike the fragrance. Ô Hira does smell good. However, I see it more as a room fragrance and find it unappealing as a perfume. Moreover, I prefer the cheaper ambers of this rather resinous-woody direction much more.

It is just like so often with legends, references, and the unbeatable. Once demystified, everything appears only half as spectacular.