Spicy Amber

Is it Worth It?

It captures the essence of the original . The slight synthetic feel might bother some hardcore fragrance snobs, but it’s hard to complain. If you want a daily driver that captures that incense and coffee profile then this is a good bet. If you value ultra-refined ingredients and a smoother blend, then yes. Otherwise, Spicy Amber delivers enough of the experience.

Olfactory Experience

Spicy Amber opens with a blast of dark roasted coffee, not a sweet latte type. The incense kicks in pretty fast, a smoky, almost church-like vibe that’s not overpowering. I get vanilla in the heart, but it's dry, not sugary. The drydown is where the benzoin and labdanum ground it with a slightly resinous, ambery feel.

Compared to Matiere Premiere's Encens Suave? I'd say it's about 81% there. Encens Suave has a smoother, more refined feel and richer vanilla. Spicy Amber has slightly sharper edges, that more pronounced coffee, and lacks that super-high-end natural quality. It's not bad, just not quite as seamlessly blended.

Performance Reality Check

Projection is moderate for the first hour, leaving a nice scent bubble. After that, it settles closer to the skin. Longevity is decent; I get about 6-7 hours on my skin. It will probably last longer on clothes.