Our take
What does Ambre smell like?
Reminiscence was founded in 1970 in Juan-les-Pins by Zoé Coste and Nino Amaddeo. Ambre is dated to that same year and remains the house’s emblem, what the brand calls a “solinote”. No perfumer is credited. The opening is surprisingly spicy. Zanzibar clove and Moroccan geranium give it an almost medicinal feel for a few minutes. Then the heart darkens. Patchouli, sandalwood, guaiac and Virginia cedar form a dry block of wood. The base finally delivers the amber on the label: benzoin, vanilla, cistus and musk. An ambergris note recalls market stalls in Provence. It is warm, resinous and fairly sweet. Compared with Serge Lutens’ Ambre Sultan, which is darker and more herbal, the Reminiscence is softer and more vanilla-led. Delicate it is not, but it does exactly what it promises.
When to wear it
A winter scent to wear under a wool scarf where the benzoin can bloom. One spray is enough given how far it carries.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. Ambre is one of 20 creations by Reminiscence in our encyclopedia.
