Amber and spice perfumes

Ember Enigma is an independent UK fragrance guide. We do the legwork on the top ranked fragrances, checking notes and prices, so you don't have to.

The glow of a winter evening.

Amber in perfume is not the fossil stone. It is a warm blend, usually of resins, vanilla and labdanum, that smells golden, slightly sweet and enveloping.

Add cinnamon, clove, cardamom or incense and you have the scent of mulled wine and church candles. These are the fragrances people reach for on Christmas Eve.

Bottles on Ember Enigma: Outlands by Amouage; Tango by Masque Milano; Glow by Akro; Jubilation XXV by Amouage; Bentley for Men Intense by Bentley; X Masculine Edition by Clive Christian; Opera Infernal by Fabrica Della Musa; Parisian by Fragrance du Bois; Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle; Fifty Four by Jusbox; Jungle L'Elephant by Kenzo; Tonkade by Laboratorio Olfattivo; Akkad by Lubin; Red Tobacco by Mancera; Prodigy by Mind Games; Dejan by Omar Luxury; Kashmir by Ormonde Jayne; Nawab of Oudh by Ormonde Jayne; Ambre Russe by Parfum d'Empire; Yuma by Pernoire; Amber Aoud by Roja Dove; Queen of the Night by The Merchant of Venice; Turath by The Spirit of Dubai; Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford; Vendetta Uomo by Valentino; Camel by Zoologist; Marrakech Intense by Aesop; 9PM by Afnan; Interlude Man by Amouage; Material by Amouage; Remain by Amouage; Wet Stone by Amouroud; Rouge Malachite by Armani Privé; The Most Wanted by Azzaro; Carbone de Balmain by Balmain; Dasman by Boadicea The Victorious; 403 Myrrh Shadow by Bon Parfumeur; Greenpoint by Bond No 9; Drunk Lovers Extrait Extreme by BORNTOSTANDOUT; Gypsy Water by Byredo.

What is amber in perfume? A warm accord built from resins such as labdanum and benzoin, often with vanilla. It smells golden and soft rather than like the stone.

Are amber fragrances too heavy for the day? Some are. Look for amber paired with citrus or tea for daytime, and keep the incense and spice versions for evenings.