Amouage Interlude Man made its way into my list of top perfumes for 2012. It's time I told you why. While I certainly enjoy its feminine companion, Amouage Interlude Woman, it's chaotic nature can be a bit much at times: it's like dealing with a peppy morning person at 7 AM when you're still trying to figure out your toothbrush or the tea kettle. Interlude Man, on the other hand, has more inner peace while keeping the complexity.
The opening of Amouage Interlude Man is bright and zesty though not quite as much as Woman's. It has its own quirks, such as a very strong and clear oregano note- I can smell both the dried flakes and the sharp green leaves I grow in my backyard, and they bring an almost foody quality to a fragrance that's otherwise very serene. Interlude Man beyond the spice is about wood, leather and very smoky incense. These three elements chase each other in circles. Just when I think I fully get it another facet emerges and rearrange my perception of the fragrance. The incense and smoke send you to a meditative place, maybe in a mountain retreat. But no, it's not quite ready to renounce worldly pleasures and sins, so you take a deep breath of a sensual woody amber and enjoy your surroundings: all of a sudden you're in a very plush and ornate oriental palace. The sensuality of leather and patchouli, velvety fabrics and golden brocades is enveloping. You're willing to surrender to the pleasures they promise and to their opulence when someone opens a window and you feel the bitter chill of mountain air that carries whiffs and smoke from somewhere near. You leave the palace and go exploring in the woods...
Notes: Bergamot, Oregano, Pimento Berry Oil, Amber, Frankincense, Cistus, Opoponax, Leather, Agarwood Smoke, Patchouli, Sandalwood.
Amouage Interlude Man ($225, 50ml) is available from Oswald, Luckyscent, MiNNY and Bergdorf Goodman. The sample for this review was sent by Oswald.
Art: Slide by Pamela Sukhum.
I'm with you on (mostly) preferring Interlude Man to Woman. It's not as "noisy" or chaotic, and has that edgy, slightly dangerous smoky incense. Great review!
ReplyDeleteGreat description, Gaia. This is also a fantastic "scarf scent". Got some on the sweater I use as a jacket (VA is so disappointingly warm in January) and it's magnificent. Even the hubby loves it, which may make this the first full bottle of Amouage to make it into the house!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever come across oregano in a perfume before. Along with the leather, incense, smoke, patchouli, sandalwood - this sounds so tempting. And, as a side note, I personally prefer the men's Jubilation fragrance to the women's version, so I'm not surprised by your preference. I hope to try the two Interludes very soon and compare them myself!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed when reading blogs that lots of gals love men's stuffs and some men love the gals stuffs. I, a guy myself, usually prefers woman's perfume. i have both Jubilation XXV and 25 but the 25 is the one that makes my eyes roll back and toes curl.
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