Pursuing its quest to push the boundaries of fragrance creation, Amouage explores the sublime union between ‘generosity’ and ‘time’ in a quartet of four ‘Exceptional Extraits’. Concentrated at the highest industry standards and aged between three to six months at the House’s Manufacture in Oman,’Honour 43 Woman’ (First Batch), ‘Epic 56 Woman’ (First Batch), ‘Reflection 45 Man’ (First Batch) and ‘Interlude 53 Man’ (Third Batch) each reveal hidden facets and depths that unfurl across every dimension, making them richer, more potent, and gifted with extended longevity. An aesthete’s dream born from a visionary mindset that challenges contemporary practices, the Amouage Exceptional Extraits are a rarity conceived without limit or constraint, incompatible with any approach within the industry.
The Amouage Exceptional Extraits came to life from our ambition to craft the very best perfumes we could offer. They started as an instinctive experiment because, although Amouage has created Extraits in the past, none of them had been aged to this extent at such concentrations, containing between 43% and 56% pure oils. These Exceptional Extraits require both humility and patience. Humility is needed in the face of living natural materials which are the result of the work of both nature and man, with no guarantees about how they develop and what the result will be. Patience is necessary to reflect, to age and to question, to blend components, to go back and start again, to choose a better path or to wait those long hours before the perfumes see the light of day. Each Exceptional Extrait is released only when the perfumer and myself consider that it has reached a window of expression, telling us a story that is new and exciting enough to share with discerning perfume connoisseurs.
Renaud Salmon, Amouage Chief Experience Officer
The Amouage ‘Exceptional Extraits’ are the result of a succession of aging steps which progressively define their exquisite character. After five to ten weeks of Maturation, the concentrates reach a first plateau: they show promise, completeness and harmony. Everything is in place. This is when alcohol is carefully added and the slow Maceration stage starts: inimitable and irreproducible, it will last between three and sixteen weeks. The content of each tank is evaluated on a weekly basis, with every observation carefully noted. The perfumes progressively become more intense, precise and vibrant, energized by the transformation. A true metamorphosis: their universe expanded where all the components are completely integrated and the creations become more complex than ever…
For almost 40 years, Amouage has carved a renowned reputation amongst the select circle of leading high-end perfume Houses around the world. This recognition is the fruit of the House’s unwavering dedication to perfumery and a coveted portfolio of high-quality Eau de Parfum containing a generous 20% to 30% pure oils.
Amouage has a portfolio of high-quality Eaux de Parfum containing 20% to 30% pure oils. The four Exceptional Extraits, with their atypically high concentration ranging between 43% and 56%, now reveal a deeper story of some of the house’s best known perfumes. The number in the name of each new edition signifies the percentage of the perfume concentration.
Amouage Epic 56 Woman
As empowering as its name
Inspired by the legends of the Silk Road, ‘Epic Woman’ (2009) is Amouage’s iconic spicy, ambery fragrance that blooms under the mystical twilight stretching between China and Arabia. With the highly concentrated ‘Epic 56 Woman’, perfumer Cecile Zarokian displays her prowess for striking the difficult yet marvelous balance of extremes at a high dosage: 56%.
Top: Cumin, Pink Peppercorn, Cinnamon
Heart: Damascene Rose, Geranium, Jasmine Tea
Base: Amber, Musk, Oud, Frankincense, Guaiac Wood, Orris, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla
After almost five months of aging, the piquancy of the spices remains fiery and vibrant as it meets a deeper than ever ambery counterpart. Both extremes come together in a show stopping crescendo, revealing a faceted rose heart. Cold vibrancy meets golden warmth. Torn between shadow and light, ‘Epic 56 Woman’ is a synthesis of contradictions.
Amouage Reflection 45 Man
Fresh, floral and woody notes intertwine to evoke images of blossoming meadows
The quintessence of masculine refinement, ‘Reflection Man’ (2007) captures the seductive power of a man’s inner strength, expressing confident and enhanced sophistication. Given the gift of time and a generous 45% concentration of perfume oil, ‘Reflection 45 Man’ reveals an assertive character, delicate complexity and crystalline elegance.
Top: Benzoin, Pink Peppercorn, Clary Sage, Lavender, Cardamom, Juniper Berry
Heart: Neroli, Orris, Jasmine, Angelica, Tonka Bean, Vanilla
Base: Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Myrrh, Frankincense, Opoponax
Created by perfumer Lucas Sieuzac, this woody floral musk scent, aged for four months, presents an elaborate scent woven with freshness and floralcy. The composition juxtaposes bright aromatic notes, velvety orris and creamy floral notes with sensual and enveloping layers of vetiver, patchouli and sandalwood, combined with spices. Virile and unexpectedly soft at the same time. A luxurious modern classic.
Amouage Interlude 53 Man
To achieve perfect harmony, time is everything – rejoice in this elevation of the beloved aroma
A soul-gripping explosion of balsams and spices, ‘Interlude Man’ (2012) is a sublime display of a moment of harmony in the middle of the chaos. At the crossroads of extreme concentration and extended aging, ‘Interlude 53 Man’ is the exceptional extrait version of perfumer Pierre Negrin’s iconic creation. Formulated at a 53% dosage and aged for 6 months, this third batch reveals hidden facets and depths of its original form. But ‘Interlude 53 Man’ kept the same formula entirely.
Top: Bergamot, Oregano, Pimento Berry
Heart: Amber, Frankincense, Cistus, Opoponax
Base: Leather, Agarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood
Where Interlude was colourful chaos, the maturity of ‘Interlude 53 Man’ transmits completeness and more harmony. Every ‘Interlude 53 Man’ batch is ever so slightly different: the soul of batch #3 reveals subtle notes of resins in fusion, like candied honey pouring into a tumultuous flow of dark and smoky woods.
Amouage Honour 43 Woman
The opulent perfume will look remarkable in your beauty cabinet
Originally created as a Venusian ode to the fate of Madame Butterfly, ‘Honour Woman’ (2011) is a consecration of poetry, beauty and femininity. A decade later, presented in a concentration of 43%, ‘Honour 43 Woman’ is perfumer Alexandra Carlin’s elevated interpretation of Amouage’s heady white floral perfume.
Top: Pepper, Rhubarb Leaves, Coriander
Heart: Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia, Lily-of-the-Valley, Carnation
Base: Sandalwood, Labdanum, Vetiver, Frankincense, Opoponax, Leather
Taking it to new heights, the white flowers – Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia, Lily of the Valley – have been taken through a slow yet active aging process, keeping each fragile note alive and bafflingly, insolently, youthful. The four floral essences continue to evolve and be magnified: aged and richer, yet more energized. This is the confounding paradox of ‘Honour 43 Woman’ and it makes the sensorial experience totally different.
Available in limited quantities, the ‘Exceptional Extraits’ come in luxurious lacquered 100 ml flacons adorned by the House’s signature ‘Gift of Kings’ seal and can be purchased today on their website, or at Amouage boutiques and selected stores worldwide. Come into the beautiful world of Amouage.
Yakymour 