Description
Amouage presents a new luxury collection The Library Collection, which includes three scents – Opus I, Opus II and Opus III. All three fragrances are created as timeless olfactory adventures that pay no attentions to current trends. The collection is not classified by gender – these designs are intended to highlight the quality of the essences and glorify the act of creativity, skill and art.
Christopher Chong, the creative director of Amouage, is credited for creating this collection. The new fragrances represent the memories as their very names are associated with the library in which many hidden treasures that lead us to ongoing research and study are hidden. The Library Collection is essentially a poetic homage to the art of living.
The composition of Opus II fragrance is a fougere one. This fragrance is created by the perfumer Michele Saramito. The olfactory journey begins with essential oils of lavender, wormwood, pink pepper and bay leaves. In the heart are the floral aromas of jasmine and rose spiced with cinnamon and cardamom, while the base features cedar, amber, musk, incense and patchouli.
The Library Collection Opus II was launched in 2010.
Нейтралитет – :
Opus II opens with masculine lavender, wormwood, pepper, cardamom, patchouli, and cedar. It’s dry, aromatic, mildly spicy, slightly bitter, woody, cold and – I agree with the earlier posters – aloof. The drydown is dry/woody/green, with a little bit of male sweat from the spice and cedar.
If I didn’t know the listed notes I would say that the drydown contains vetiver, oakmoss, cardamom and cedar. It really does have an inky component at this stage that makes it smell like a vetiver/chypre.
Overall, the scent seems to be good quality, though the lavender and pepper topnotes burn off faster than I expected. This aromatic/fougere/chypre hybrid is just a bit too cold for this warm scent lover. Not for me – I’d love to smell it on a man’s skin though, as it might open up on warmer skin. Opus II reminds me of the friend of a friend that you meet at an event – he’s dressed elegantly but he’s a bit standoffish – you remark later to your friend that he seemed to not like you. “Oh he’s just shy. He likes books more than people”.
siniy_8181 – :
This perfume make me sad. It is no bad but very peppery incensy and cold. Elegant but Distant. Whitewashed walls. refectory.
Remembers me a bit Grigioperla Essence
Samuel123 – :
A softly invigorating, elegantly outdoors-y fragrance. Tart aromatics, woods, and a laundry-like vibe. This Opus is a very well put together but fairly conventional woodsy oriental fougere (that beautiful trademark Amouage frankincense though). Eminently wearable, if not particularly remarkable.
pseumegisee – :
بازی آکوردها …ا
در این عطر شما با آکورد بویایی روبرو میشید و تقریبا رایحه ی هیچیک از موادی رو که در هرم نتهای عطر به آن اشاره شده رو بصورت جداگانه استشمام نخواهید کرد.
در شروع اسپری؛ آکوردی از نتها که میتوان تقریبا حدس زد که مربوط به اسطوخودوس و افسنطین هست رو تشخیص خواهید داد که این دو در واقع با هم ترکیب (میکس) شده اند و با هم یک بوی جدیدی ایجاد کرده اند و در کنارش و بصورت خیلی ملایم فلفل میخواهد که به قول معروف سرش کلاه نره و عرضه اندامی داشته باشه که زیاد هم در این کار موفق نیست.
نیم ساعت که از شروع اسپری کردن میگذره؛ یه حالت ادویه ی به آکورد فوق اضافه میشه. در نتهای عطر به دارچین و هل اشاره شده؛ ولی به عقیده ی من این حالت ادویه مانند چیزی غیر از این دو هست. شاید هم مانند مرحله ی قبلی آکوردی است که چنین بوی خاصی رو ایجاد کرده.
بوی عطر بعد از این مرحله تا حذف کامل آن تقریبا تغییر محسوسی نمیکنه و از نظر پخش بو و دوام هم یکی از ضعیف ترین کارهای آمواژ هست…ا
JMustafayev – :
Humdinger! I definitely get the similarity with LP Timbuktu but there is a sort of bakery thing going on in the background. The lavender, wormwood, cardamom, incense and pepper almost knock you over on the opening. What a massive aromatic/spicey opening. Not surprisingly the lavender wains quite quickly but doesnt vanish. The wormwood is very resilient along with the spices. Ive got to say I like it more and more as it develops but I dont love it. i dont like the sort of bakery undertone. Heaven knows what creates that illusion with my chemistry.
I think I would enjoy smelling this on my fella but I know this wouldnt be his thing.
Average sillage but lasts a good few hours.
zgw – :
A toned down Epic Man; peppery, musky, smoky…..
Amouage Opus II reminds me of a few different fragrances; L’artisan’s Timbuktu, Sandalo e The-Bois 1920 and Creed’s Tabarome.
Reminds me of Creed’s Tabarome in that it has a very quiet sweetness and tobaccoy gingerly/cinnamon aroma that gives it depth. Reminds me of Timbuktu of L’artisan from its sweetish peppery vibe, also a coconuty oily feel that I detect. Reminds me of Bois 1920 Sandalo e The with its dry down’s slight BO smell I get (don’t be taken back by this…this is not bad). Juxtaposed to this last fragrance, it does has very similar notes in the note pyramid.
A slight Epic Man feel but dries down with a layer of Sandalwood, Bergamot, and Lavender that gives it a very unique finish. When I smell Epic Man, it is more dark and leathery even dry in its dry down where as Amouage Opus II is lighter with a sweeter leathery finish!?!? Epic Man has a medicinal aura about it (same as you find in Amouage Opus V ) that lingers in the balance perhaps from the Absinthe, yet nothing to be alarmed about.
Overall, masculine with an 8 hour performance that later becomes a skin scent; a nice fragrance-with hints of Dia Man-Amouage also in the dry down!!
bondik1 – :
A bottle popped up for a great price, I thought to give it a try.
Right off the bat, I smell Epic Man sans the silky component it carries, with some added funk which to me sometimes comes across as a mix of shoe polish with rusty smelly socks which I have smelled before… They could be smelly manly feet hahaha. Opus X springs to mind. That metallic or varnish note people refer to. It feels uncomfortable but it subsides relatively quickly before I get panicked and think of hiding myself away from the public.
All in all I feel this is Epic Man which didn’t work for me personally after having tried both the old and new versions. Performance was an issue with that but this is a little more acceptable and just a little bolder and I can smell myself for a good few hours.
The sudden scare it gives you was all part of the thrill that kept me on the edge for a few moments and I enjoyed it so I think I’d like to keep this bottle. I don’t hate it and I don’t love it. I can spray it whenever I feel like scaring myself a little and without feeling guilty about the price I paid.
403 – :
My 90 old grandmum used to splash perfume on her head when she had a headache (that habit always surprised me!)
So this Opus reminds me of her, I keep a sample to sniff from time to time. And immediately I have childhood memories of my grandmum, bless her.
Once I’ve decided to wear it and I got a comment: you smell like our friend (who is in her 70’s), must be something to do with an age, I guess. Your choice really 🙂
Twitanyasyday – :
“اُپِس 2”
یه عطر با نشاط و یجورایی خنک(فِرِش)، عطر پیچیده ای نیست اما رایحه اسطوخودوس و علفهای معطر کاملا طبیعی، احساس آزادی از گرمای تابستون رو به ارمغان میاره،
من از این عطر برداشتی آیینه وار دارم،رایحه ی اُپس 2 خلاصه شده تولیدات قبلی امواج هست، سیلور ، شِل مردونه ،فِیت مردونه …، همیشه مثه این بوده برام که این عطر بازتابی از رایحه های اونهاست.
تو گرمای تابستون تا یک ساعت پس از اسپری کردن پخش خوبی داره وتا سه ساعت هم رایحش قابل احساسه، که البته در هوای بهاری یا اواخر پائیز پخش و دوام خیلی بهتری داره.
کلا عطرای خنک که در اکثر موارد نُت فِرش و خنکی دارن از دوام وپخش آنچنانی برخوردار نیستن،
تمام باحالی این عطر به رایحه اولیه ش هست که بسیار با کیفیت و شادابه اما این لذت بخشیش کوتاهه.
پس از این یکم ادویه ای و در آخر هم بوی عنبری ضعیفی احساس می شه.
بهرحال قرار نیست امواج همیشه عطرهایی تولید کنه که در پخش و دوام رایحه، مثه بمب اتم عمل کنن، اینم یه سَبک ـه که البته در تولیدات اکثر برندها رواج فراوانی داره، شاید یه ضعف حساب بشه، نمی دونم !
کامنت:hotaxis
(سایت لوکس بایر (با امکان تست سمپل
kose123 – :
really ordinary perfume. not unique not huge not complex not even last longing like other amouage’s.just fine and like and don;t even think about that it worth this cost. NO WAY!!
یک عطر کاملا معمولی و ساده از برند امواج که اصلا هیچ رده ای از مانگاری خفن هم حتی ندارد. اصلا به هیچ عنوان اینقدر نمی ارزد.
pilot021077 – :
This is a fougere with a lot of punch. A massive burst of lavender and spice. Very masculine.
It’s not anything unique or different though as a lot of Amouage fragrances are.
During the drydown when this scent starts to change, a tea-like odour emerges on my skin. Now it smells like I’m smelling a cup of lavender tea with twigs infusing in it. Really weird. Not really sure about this one.
The spiky brash freshness of the opening has gone and I think it may be turning funky on me. Oh dear..I’m getting muddy petal water with a whiff of stale aftershave.
Yep..my skin sent this one wonky. Boooo!
igor Sribnyy – :
The opening of Opus II is really stunning. Bright spicy peppers emerge first, followed by a gorgeous rose and lavender peeking out next. Then the woods and greens come in to make this a true fougere fragrance. Finally in the drydown lovely amber and incense deepen the mix and jasmine softens it to make it truly unisex. This is very beautiful to my nose, wonderful ingredients and the perfect mix for a stunning year round perfume. I especially like the wormwood and cardamom notes that give this fragrance a real je ne sais quoi difference that makes me want a full bottle.
Trormakicmisa – :
the lavender is the main character in this scent, but unfortunately, there’s an unpleasant accord struck between the woods, the spices and the wormwood. there’s a weird green-fenugreek seed smell that comes through and it doesn’t work, unfortunately. i can see how this would work for a lot of people, but it doesn’t smell good for me. there’s a lot of craftsmanship in this, but it just doesn’t smell good for me…
Снайпер X – :
I have a full bottle with box, max sprayed 5 times, not too find of it. Reminds me of a sick day I had. If anyone is up for swaps I’m looking for opus I
ku4eryava – :
Very good! The fragrance shines of riches and health.
I like the opening! It is fresh, soft, a bit spicy, sophisticated.
For me it is even a bit more feminine than masculine. Why? Probably because of a treacly note. I don`t know where it comes from.
Apparently from lavendel.
kosoj458 – :
A very nice surprise in the Opus line. The opening is dominated by lavender and bay leaf. This combo gives the fragrance a masculine fougere feel. As expected, there is also a beautiful incense note in the background, and a little cedar in the late drydown. A great smelling, upscale gentlemans fragrance. Longevity is good, but it is not a loud fragrance at all. It’s quite subtle by Amouage’s standards.
SABAKAtut – :
I used to be very bitter and disappointed about Opus II, but this was when it was launched, 4 years ago, in a moment when i expected everything from Amouage to be brilliant, shocking and intense, which is not the case here. I wouldn’t say today that Opus II is my favorite Amouage, but it’s not anymore one that i dislike. There is something really comfortable about it, in it’s balance of spices, incense, lavender and woody notes. The fragrance seems, somehow, to ‘hug’ you in a smooth way and somedays, as i have learned, this is all that you need a fragrance to do. I guess that if i had less fragrances or found it for a very good price i’d own one today.
vova1970 – :
Ahhh…A nice surprise in the Opus collection.
This is reminiscent of L’artisan Perfumeur Fou D’Absinthe to me and that’s a very good thing!
Fresh with lavander and wormwood but well balanced, tiniest amount of smoked incense with spice from cardamom and a hint of cinnamon.
It’s really good…I love the opening…flip flopped a little about it…then decided it was nice again.
Amouage for me are big occasion fragrances that would struggle to work as a regular scent…with some exceptions of course Jubilation XXV springs to mind. Opus II however is similar in that it’s very wearable and for me although perfectly unisex does lean toward the masculine ever so slightly.
kyzma8686 – :
Love the spicy, peppery opening to this which beautifully incorporates absinthe and lavender. Cinnamon and cardamon offer gentle spice to the woody base which seems dominated by a sweet cedar accord. Perfect fall/winter fragrance, leaning more masculine to me. One of the better offerings from the Library Collection from Amouage. (83)
jfoekoroff – :
This is so gorgeous and fresh when first splashed on! For me, it is a great unisex fragrance but I can see how its green notes could be read as ‘masculine’. There’s a hint of the powdery amongst the leaves here, though… something feminine lurking in the shadows.
I can imagine this scent keeping you warm while walking in the snow, between cedars.
I just wish it lasted longer on my skin.
genad – :
A heady mixture of of spice and flowers, Opus II is full of Eastern promise. It’s a little too heavy and emphatic for my palette, but I still appreciate the beauty and balance of Opus II.
kkkkkkaz – :
Worth every penny! I own 17 different size bottles and scents created by Amouage ans I have yet to find one I don’t like. But if I hadto pick a favorite, it would be a tie between Opus II and Lyric with Ciel coming in a close second.
getstuff – :
I had zero preconception of the nature of Amouage OPUS II, aside from the usual expectation that the ingredients would be excellent. The moment I donned this juice, the first words out of my mouth were: “This is masculine.” Was it the dollop of creamy lavender? Or the abundance of woods and green trees? Or perhaps the absinthe edge? In fact they all conspired to the same conclusion.
So, no, I personally would not classify this scent as unisex, except in the world where we altogether reject the validity of that distinction. Yes, it would be possible for women to wear this perfume, but I probably would not want to very often. I definitely would not select this among the Amouage perfumes to purchase, because to my nose, it smacks of a forest in a barbershop. Or is it a barbershop in a forest?
Looking at the notes, it becomes clear: OPUS II *is* a simulacrum of a barbershop in a forest! And it’s a nice one, to be sure: a high-class Italian barbershop which happens to have been built in the middle of a vast forest of tall evergreen trees. It combines the suave appeal of the well-scented gent with the rugged appeal of Paul Bunyan in the woods. I am sure that this would work well for many men, but it’s definitely not for me. Would I like to smell it on the men around me? Sure, why not?
ceyhun – :
I can’t exactly say that Opus II is disappointing but at the same time it’s neither completely satisfying. I’ve grown fonder and fonder of this stuff, yet I’m still quite on the fance when it comes to commit to a full bottle. The fragrance strikes as a cardamom driven composition built around a woody-incense base and characterized by a fougere-y facet. It opens with a blast of citruses and lavander immediately joined by cardamom slowly taking over during the middle phase. The typical Amouage frankincense note is quite remarkable throughout but it plays its main role during the drydown where Opus II turns into a discreet and well refined spicy-woody skin scent.
Overall Opus II is a superbly crafted composition that will appeal to fans of modern fougeres (aka “nugere”) such as Invasion Barbare or 1725. Don’t get me wrong, these fragrances don’t share many objective similarities with the Amouage but, somewhat, they play in the same ballpark. Easy to wear yet luxurious, restrained yet with personality, versatile yet not dull. A perfect everyday’s fragrance for anyone into understated elegance and for those who prefer “refined details” to straight in the face ostentation. Maybe not as distinctive or unique as one would expect at these price tags but still pretty enjoyable.
Rating: 7.5/10
karamelka1410 – :
Absolutely gorgeous. Stunning woodsy concoction. Incense, woods, cardamom, and absinthe notes linger on and on. Not as loud as Opus I. But still strong and long lasting. Buy this fragrance for its ultimate masculine woodsy smell than buying any other new woody fragrance out there marketed for men. There is a sparkling effect here with the worm-woods. I really really like it. A man wearing this will smell like a Gentleman but yet stand out from the rest of the Gentle-men-iac. Wear it all seasons. Great chances to become a one’s signature perfume.
Verdict: 9/10
forerunner – :
Its definitely a masculine mix. I see no unisex quality. If you want to smell like Quorum go ahead that is what it reminds me of. My father back in the 80’s wore that fragrance night and day even to bed at night. I can recognize that aroma anywhere and you mean it will cost $325. Uhh, really! What’s really the buzz here?
almaz777 – :
I get masses of the cardamom, cinnamon and incense at the opening – so much so it brought to mind an inferior version of Tauer’s Incense Extreme! But give it a little time to settle – or grow which is more the case – and I am being assaulted by a very masculine (for want of a better word) and heady lavender, bay and cedar mix – this does smell excellent but for me this stage is just too masculine! I would just love to smell this on a man providing he was judicious with application as I have only a little on but it is incredibly strong for my nose – almost like a good cold remedy!
As the base notes hit and the woodyness and patchouli come to the fore this just reminds me so much of the Middle-East and almost every Middle-Eastern businessman I came across smelt (to a heavy degree) like this! To my nose it is not unique and very Middle Eastern! Maybe that is just the underlying incense running throughout the whole thing?
I really can’t see how this is unisex – to me it is way too masculine and a tad overpowering at that! I think gentle care in application is needed here!
Again, it is a cleverly crafted perfume by the Amouage house but in my opinion not quite unique enough to warrant such a huge price tag! Saying that though there is good value for money here as a little goes a very, very long way!
Silage – massive. Longevity is very good!
If you want to smell like a Middle Eastern businessman then this is for you! Add a thobe, ghutra and an igal and you can even look like one as well !!!!!!!
alegovka – :
After what I would consider a disappointment in OPUS I, I consider this second offering as a standing ovation of a pine tree orchestra.
As if a cool winter wind whirls through a pine forest, bringing with it a warm breeze of pink pepper from the spicy south.
Accompanied by the smouldering scents of aromatic glowing warm/ wormwood (which is the first time EVER I have noticeably smelled this ingredient)the green flavours of bay and lavender thrush through.
Jasmine and rose only take a background vocal in this orchestra dominated by spices and woods.
There is a lovely soft piney scent from L’Occitane en Provence which I love, but THIS HERE is the London Philharmonic Orchestra version of it.
NATURE and CLASSIC MUSIC LOVERS alike, I think you would adore this scent!
I will deffo add this to my AUTUMN/ WINTER wardrobe for I LOVE IT!
ilya8080 – :
This is the best one from all that group 1,2,3 . Really like that
evgenix2011 – :
edit 6/2/11
My chemical sensitivities have passed (these were negatively affecting my interpretation of MANY scents, with some chemicals bothering me more than others), and Opus II no longer irritates my throat or sinuses. Needless to say, I once again love this scent and stand by the first review I posted of this far below.
edit: 11/15/10
I’ve done a 180 on this (see my earlier reviews below).
I still like the opening and I find that the composition has a lot of potential, but I find that the dry down becomes too muted and one dimensional far too quickly on me now, and even worse, it is chock full of some synthetic that really irritates my throat. I think it’s the same chemical that provides the mineral notes to TdH, as it has the same effect on me. I used to think this was iso e super, but it’s not, as other iso e heavy scents don’t bother me in this way.
So:
opening and first hour or so = 5 stars
drydown = 2 stars
average = 3.5, truncating to 3 stars.
Unfortunately, due to the actual physical pain it causes me, I’m going to have to rate it “dislike” now.
bosak64 – :
I WAS not a lover of the Amouage line but…I ve discovered recently some really exciting beauties here: Ubar and this one Opus II.. It s so gorgeous, so rich so silky all the notes complementing each other so perfectly I cannot stop sniffing my arm..and I know my decant must replace …they are alas very pricey so please sample before you buy! I think that even if you cannot wear it you ll still recognize it as the masterpiece it is!
ksandrilian – :
Excuse me if I don’t go into more of the over-the-top raptures that this scent generates in others, but it just didn’t do that for me. It’s well crafted, well-mannered, and nice enough, but it doesn’t make me want to rush out and rob a bank so that I can buy a big bottle of it.
To me, Opus II starts out smelling like a typical high-end “man’s cologne” with lots of lavender and woody notes. Lavender is right up there with lily-of-the-valley as one of my least favorite notes to wear. It’s funny, because I think lavender smells just beautiful on plants, but it’s not something I particularly want to smell like myself. After 15 minutes or so the lavender calms down and some low-key spices start to come through, cinnamon and cardamom along with the bay leaf and artemesia and what is probably vetiver, even though it’s not listed in the notes. At that point the scent takes on a culinary herbs & spices tone, exciting perhaps for those who’ve grown up on a diet of bland foods, but not impressive to this reviewer who is forbidden to make Thanksgiving stuffing for the in-laws’ get-togethers because it’s “too spicy”.
This is not to say that Opus II is a wimpy perfume. It’s not. It’s strong, with a woody sharpness that persists for far too long. It’s got good sillage, and lasts for the better part of a day, with traces of the sweetish clean-musky drydown still lingering on clothing the next day. Maybe I was expecting something different, but I have to say that I was a bit disappointed by this one.
даня – :
WARNING ****
Do not test this magnificent perfume unless you are prepared for the resulting dilemma when you realise that you simply must have this perfume no matter what.
Any description from me cannot add to the previous posts, other than to say I totally concur. Opus II is a beautifully crafted perfume with a perfect blend of spices and excellent use of cardamon and cinnamon. The magic of this perfume though is the delivery of such notes. It is delicate yet not lacking in strength.
Unlike many other unisex fragrances,
it hasn’t lost it soul to cater to the broader market. This would be equally appealling on both women and men, and best enjoyed during the day.
The dilemma is, can one justify the cost of acquiring this perfume given the hefty price tag?
Well, for me, the answer is YES…now, the question is HOW?
scrsnseabrookxto1 – :
For me, Opus II is like having listened to someone outstanding recite a poem or deliver a monologue with utter eloquence that its left me enraptured…wanting more…On my skin, the cardemom is divine–the pink pepper & wormwood intertwine with the cinnamon & jasmine…The cedar & amber close this verse ever so gently…Encore! Encore!
ura272 – :
I agree with the previous poster, as soon as I smelled Opus II, I knew I had to have it in my life. Before that, I wasn’t even really a perfume person. I was sticker shocked when I saw the price, but my lovely husband did get it for my birthday after about a month of me raving how good it smelled. Whilst I can’t describe it in any way close to the aforementioned, it is a divine fragrance that lasts and lasts. When I wear Opus II, I actually find myself smelling myself because it’s just that good!
slavik79 – :
I must say that I am overwhelmed after having tested Opus II. It is a magnificent, beautiful fougere. In short, it smells something like a cross between Rive Gauche PH and Fou d’Absinthe, the two not blended together but instead a new formula inspired by the two, created with an unlimited budget and blended by God himself.
The notes of Opus II may sound generic but are woven together with such careful precision and subtlety that they literally dance on the skin in an olfactory equivalent of the glimmering iridescent display of light dancing across a most exquisite piece of abalone. This is a fragrance that is definitely greater than the sum of its parts.
You know that feeling of magic that sometimes washes over you during the winter season? There is an utter, almost eerie, stillness in the air, and all the earth is asleep, and the quiet and solitude do not leave you feeling alone so much as they magnify your own sense of self, your own awareness of life and existence? The way we rush from the car into the houses of friends and families to escape the bitter cold, and are met with the wonderful scent of chai tea, cinnamon sticks and apple cider, christmas trees, bay leaves and mistletoe. The warmth of friendship. All of that; all of the wonderful and beautiful elements of winter have seemingly been distilled. That is Opus II.
Yes, truly a wonderful fougere that shimmers and floats above the skin, and will remind you, if you are so inclined to listen, that magic really does still exist.
cesseMeewsvof – :
Now, for a less poetic breakdown:
The scent opens with a big dose of bay laurel and pepper, although even these have an airiness about them as they are lifted by a translucent lavender note that is not immediately detectable. Soon the lavender weaves its way into the opening accord but it’s unlike any lavender note I’ve ever experienced, it is so ethereal and again, translucent; perhaps the best word for it is crystalline. It is not herbal or overly aromatic like the lavender note in Oxford and Cambridge, it is not heavy and thick and stuffy like it is in the opening of so many 80s men’s scents. It is just.. crystalline. Underneath this is a note that is not fully discernable but it adds a bit of darkness and greenness and ups the aromatic factor of the opening: I am quite sure this is the absinthe note at play, which I think may be a combination of actual wormwood oil (which is aromatic, slightly minty, and very green) and a star anise note. The opening is simultaneously spicy and smooth, filled with a number of heavy essences that are rendered in such an airy and translucent way that it really does, for me at least, evoke the sensation of cool winter wind against the skin.
Cardamom soon becomes apparent and it is rendered smoothly and very natural, akin to the cardamom note in Invasion Barbare. Yes, Amouage has, at least in Opus II, really upped the quality and natural factor of their ingredients. While I’ve always loved Amouage, I have to admit that some of their scents are more synthetic than some/most of the offerings of other ultra high end houses like Xerjoff or MCDI. Amouage though, always had the ultra-lush and luxurious factor, and always put their synthetics to good use and hid them quite well amongst the naturals. Still, this scent feels like a step up in quality from the other Amouages, although it is not as lush or luxe as some of them, but that is due solely to the genre of scent. It definitely feels as high quality and natural as any of the Xerjoffs, not something I could say about many/any of the previous Amouages. If Rive Gauche were a Lexus, Opus II is an Aston Martin.
The usage of cinnamon here is absolutely the best I’ve ever smelled – it is so real and even a bit woody (this is the whole cinnamon stick), but it feels as if the scent was merely dusted with this freshly ground cinnamon stick. Again, a very ethereal usage of a note that really helps keep the shimmering, magical effect of the fragrance alive. At the same time that the cinnamon becomes more prominent, the anisey note of the absinthe accord becomes stronger and joins with a very muted jasmine and rose and perhaps some labdanum and a hint of vanilla from the base to create a very natural smelling rendition of the ‘shaving cream accord’ in Rive Gauche. I always loved the idea of Rive Gauche but found it a bit synthetic, especially that cream accord. I didn’t know you could make such a natural smelling cream accord. I should mention that here it is not quite so upfront and center as it is in RG – it is present and definitely is a large contributor to the texture during the middle phase, but it stands far enough back to still let the cardamom, lingering bay, dusty hints of cinnamon, and lingering lavender (now joined by a lavender absolute note) to lead the play.
This continues down into the base where the woods pick up with intensity slightly. It’s hard to pick out exactly what is going on as the whole of it is so carefully blended that no notes really stand out at this point. The opening and heart have such extreme clarity and separation of the notes (and yet, when taken together as a whole, they all work perfectly, too) and in the base they begin to meld together the way that it’s hard to pick out the individual spices that go into a great chai tea. It is a soft base, the creamy aspect is still present, and there is a hint of spices still but they are completely smooth by now, no piquancy left. The lavender absolute note (a sweeter, softer, more coumarinic lavender note than the essential oil) is detectable, and the anise is too, slightly, and there is a hint of smoke from the incense. It is so peaceful – this is the warmth I alluded to in the poetic review, escaping the bitter cold of the outside (which was magical in its own way) and cherishing the newfound warmth and comfort of the sanctuary of home.
I should add that the anise note is never so strong or out in the open that I think it would render the scent unenjoyable by those who don’t like anise. It’s truly a background player and, while noticeable if you are really looking for it, does not jump out and scream or misbehave in any way.
Fans of Rive Gauche or Fou d’Absinthe absolutely need to check this out.
edit: It’s been a long time since I’ve been so moved by a fragrance. It’s also been a long time since I knew, so quickly, that I absolutely would have to own a scent after testing it just once. I have no idea how I’m going to afford this! Santa, all I want for Christmas this year is a bottle of Opus II. I’ll be really really good, I promise!! Please?!