Amber Noir

Final Thoughts

If Amber Noir were a movie character, it would be the reliable, but slightly less charismatic, best friend of the main character from a quirky indie film.

First Impressions & Dry Down

Orientica's Amber Noir throws a decent Santal 33 impression, especially in the opening. The violet accord is more candied here, like those powdery violet candies your grandma kept in her purse, and the cardamom has a slightly fizzy ginger ale vibe. The heart diverges; where Santal 33 has that green pickle brine tang, Amber Noir leans into a drier, almost papyrus-like iris note. Ambrox gives it a slightly scratchy feel. The base is where it’s most similar, with a cedarwood note reminiscent of pencil shavings and a restrained sandalwood. Leather is present, but it's more of a sueded texture than raw hide.

Performance Reality Check

Longevity is solid, clocking in at around 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate; it projects about an arm's length for the first hour or two, then settles closer to the skin. I wore it to a casual Friday at the office. It didn't overwhelm my coworkers, and I caught whiffs of it throughout the day. I also wore it during a weekend brunch and a movie date.