Fragrance Finder Selection

The Best Amber Fragrances

Amber in perfumery is actually an accord rather than a single ingredient: traditionally composed of labdanum (cistus resin), vanilla, benzoin and sometimes marine grey amber, it creates a warm, resinous and deeply enveloping signature that is the backbone of the entire oriental family. True grey amber — an intestinal secretion of the sperm whale that ages on beaches for decades — is one of the most precious and mysterious materials in perfumery, with a unique marine and animalic sweetness. Today modern chemistry has created synthetic molecules like ambroxane or ambrette that capture certain facets of this magic at accessible prices. This selection celebrates amber in all its variations — from the traditional oriental accord to the most contemporary and refined expressions.