Amouage’s “The Essences” collection represents a novel approach to perfumery, emphasizing time as a critical element. These perfumes are crafted through a meticulous double-infusion process, which involves aging alcohol in oakwood barrels and infusing perfume concentrates with sandalwood chips. The raw materials, including Australian sandalwood and medium-toasted oakwood barrels, impart unique characteristics and elevate the fragrances with a patina-like olfactory complexity.
The collection includes three fragrances, each embodying a different temporal dimension: Reasons (past), Lustre (present), and Outlands (future). These perfumes highlight their creators’ distinct styles, from classic richness to innovative forward-thinking. The Essences all have a high concentration of 30%.
Lustre is an opulent celebration of the present, radiating with richness and depth. Composed by Julien Rasquinet and Paul Guerlain, it reveals a heart steeped in luxurious amber and creamy woods. A glowing amber accord forms the core of the fragrance, exuding warmth and sensuality, while sandalwood, infused through the innovative double-infusion process, lends a velvety smoothness. Cedarwood and patchouli provide a grounding earthiness, balancing the golden resins and adding an elegant structure. Subtle hints of spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, weave through the composition, enhancing its richness. Lustre’s ambery glow is heightened by oakwood-aged alcohol, which wraps the fragrance in a soft, toasted aura. It is a profoundly luminous and enveloping scent, embodying the refined beauty of the present moment.