7 Best Amber Colognes (2023) Full Review – All High Quality
Amber.
One of the most popular notes in perfumery.
This review will describe the seven best amber colognes for men. I will describe their smell, performance, and anything else you need to know. This list was difficult to rank as there are so many great amber colognes.
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Table of Contents
#7 – Paco Rabanne Invictus Victory
The opening can be characterized by its general warmth. A decent dose of lemon leads and soon dissipates. It grabs attention but doesn’t add much to the scent. A peppery kick follows; this will last longer, emphasizing warmth.
Early on, a smoky resin sits under the top notes. In this case, it is attributed to a mixture of olibanum and incense. The resins are smooth, woody accords yet generic. Incense sits on top of the resins and oozes the smokiness that is so alluring.
As the mid progresses, it gets smoother. Vanilla and Amber become more present every moment until the dry down when they dominate. Vanilla and Amber have a boxing match for the rest of the wear. While subtle lavender and a woody accord linger behind.
Invictus Victory lasts 12 hours on the skin. The projection is intense around you but doesn’t push out far. Invictus Victory is mainly fall, winter, and early spring wear. As for occasions, it is all.
#6 – Histories de Parfum Ambre 114
The opening is led by equal parts subtle spice and powder. At first, I smell the spicy nutmeg followed by powdery vanilla and warm amber. At this point, amber is prominent but not as good as it will be near the end.
As the scent progresses, spices are not in the limelight anymore. Florals come in and push nutmeg to the backseat. The white florals do not become prominent but add an additional dynamic. The mid is still all about the amber and vanilla duo.
Heading into the dry down, fleeting hits of resinous sweetness appear. And it only becomes more prevalent as the base develops.
The dry-down is where Ambre 114 shines. There are additions of creamy sandalwood nuances. But the best part is the dominant, rich, and warm amber. Blended perfectly with slightly powdery vanilla.
For the rest of the wear, it is all about this duo. Through this review, Ambre 114 seems complex. Yet, the entire wear was always about amber and vanilla with the supporting nuances.
It lasts eight hours on the skin with moderate but consistent projection. In the first few hours, there’s a pleasant ambiance of a couple of feet before receding. This is exclusively fall and winter wear but for all occasions.
#5 – Tom Ford Noir Extreme
Upon the first spray is an immediate sweet vanilla accord with a mix of well-blended spices and florals. The spices encase the vanilla and showcase it like a prize. They are strong at first, but in 10-15 minutes, they give way to sweeter vanilla and a unique note.
The top notes of florals were the least prevalent but gave the opening a light juicy citric nature. At the same time as the spices transition to vanilla, the florals combine with ambery warmth. It’s an outstanding balance and gives the scent depth.
This all happens in about 15 minutes. Now you’re in the mid of the fragrance with sweet vanilla and kulfi, while ambery florals rest in the background. If you are unfamiliar with kulfi, it is an Indian dessert. In this case, it comes across as a nutty vanilla ice cream. The nuttiness is similar to pistachio.
Into the dry down, the scent simplifies even further. It is all about the warm vanilla and amber with prevalent woody notes. The base isn’t anything crazy, but its more straightforward nature is delightful. Creamy and mature for the rest of the wear.
Noir Extreme lasts 12+ hours on the skin with above-average projection. The first three to four hours push out an arm’s length or more. After this period it recedes to a softer ambiance.
It is simply too strong in the warmer months, limiting your wear to fall and winter. Now for situations, it is not everyday wear. Though it is the perfect show-stopping fragrance for a date or formal occasion.
#4 – Dior Ambre Nuit
Ambre Nuit’s opening is all about fruity and woody accords. A bright and welcoming dose of grapefruit leads, blending with light rose and warm spices. There is an amazing sensual balance that envelops. Yet, now or never, will this become obtrusive.
Slightly sweet and powdery amber is a pleasant addition to the mid. Spices continue to support in the background. While woody notes come out to play.
At first, I mainly get fresh and smooth cedar. But after a while, I pick up darker, earthy touches of guaiac wood. The non-dirty earthiness mixes with the reserved rose. Together the mix is exceptionally sensual. The same type of blend is used in Tom Ford Black Orchid.
The scent remains woody and warm for the rest of the wear, with spices mixed throughout.
The longevity is in the eight to ten-hour range, and the projection is just right. After a few hours, it settles closer to the skin. Take this into consideration when spraying. Ambre Nuit is subtle by nature, so overspraying doesn’t help. You’re just wasting sprays and thus money. As for seasons, it can be worn all year round. Just take it lightly in the summer.
#3 – MFK Grand Soir
Grand Soir doesn’t mess around. A strong amber note is present right away. It’s powerful and dominant but still smooth. In the background, there are pleasant spices and ever-fainter smokiness. Neither are big players, but they add a nice contrast.
Early on, vanilla is introduced and brings benzoin with it. Both emphasize the warmth of amber and pair perfectly with the spices. Benzoin, in this case, is slightly medicinal. However, I don’t get the vibes of waiting in a doctor’s office for anything that extreme.
Spices fade as the scent progresses, and tonka bean fills the void. It carries a slightly powdery and creamy tone, but it amplifies the vanillic accord for the most part. The dry down gets lighter. A smooth mixture of amber and vanilla are still the stars of the show, but the “density” from the opening has let up.
Talk about excellent performance. I won’t go into too many details, but it lasts 12+ hours and fills a room while it does it. This is the type of scent you use one spray the first time you wear it, then add more if you need to.
#2 – Prada Luna Rossa Black
The opening begins with a fleeting and fresh aromatic warmth. The bergamot is momentarily present but quickly falls away. Warm amber and woody Tonka Bean soon take over. In the beginning, the tonka bean has a sweet and vanillic accent. The first five minutes of the wear are a very alluring combination of notes.
Amber and Tonka Bean dominate more as the scent develops. The amber is warm and deep, giving the scent depth. The vanillic tonka bean amplifies the depth of the fragrance but is more pronounced than the amber in the mid.
There is a drastic change in the fragrance as it dries down. An intense musk note lingers in and works in equal parts with the warm amber. It pushes the woody tonka bean to the background, and the vanillic accords are powdery.
The rest of the wear is the dominant rich, dark, and sexy musk and amber combination with the woody and vanillic nuances in the background.
Prada Black lasts six to eight hours on the skin with an intimate projection of one foot for the first couple of hours. This is good for all occasions but shines on dates. It is exclusively cool weather wear: Late fall, winter, and early spring wear.
#1 – Dolce & Gabbana The One EDP
The opening is a fleeting citrus hit but is quickly overpowered by a tidal wave of warm spices. For the first two hours, spices dominate. Nuances of amber and tobacco are peaking in from the base but aren’t prevalent.
After two hours, the dry-down starts and is the best part of the fragrance. At this point, you’ll understand why it’s a sexy fragrance.
The spices tone down, and amber and tobacco are in equal parts. There is some sweetness, but it is primarily warm and inviting. This trio dominates for the rest of wear and is why Dolce and Gabbana The One EDP is so popular.
The performance is not great. It lasts six to seven hours on the skin with intimate projection, but it’s incredibly wearable. On a date, you don’t want a fragrance to be announced. It should be discovered. Allow her to get faint whiffs of the sexy smell and want to come closer.
Final Words
Even if you only have a few fragrances, it’s almost inevitable that you own an ambery fragrance. This note is really that good as it gives fragrances warmth and depth. Any of these fragrances are great amber colognes, but also fragrances in general.
After you try an amber cologne, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.