Our take
What does Ambre Impérial smell like?
Van Cleef & Arpels added Ambre Impérial to its Collection Extraordinaire in 2015. Quentin Bisch composed it as a spiced amber that focuses on materials rather than storytelling. Bergamot and pink pepper open it. The sparkle is brief and the pepper vanishes fast. Laos cinnamon then takes over, smelling of dry bark more than baking. Benzoin joins it in the heart with a resinous sweetness close to vanilla. The base is warm golden amber, rounded by tonka. Everything stays smooth and comfortable, with no smoke or leather. Picture a wool blanket left by the fireplace. Balmain’s Ambre Gris is salty, almost marine. Ambre Impérial is sweeter and more classical. It holds no surprises but does exactly what it promises. Longevity is good and the trail stays moderate.
When to wear it
A winter amber for evenings or quiet weekends. Two sprays on a sweater last the whole day.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Spicy family. Ambre Impérial is one of 20 creations by Van Cleef & Arpels in our encyclopedia.
