Pursuing its quest to push the boundaries of fragrance creation, Amouage explores the sublime union between ‘generosity’ and ‘time’ in a quartet of four Exceptional Extraits. Concentrated at the highest industry standards and aged between three to six months at the House’s Manufacture in Oman, Honour 43 Woman (First Batch), Epic 56 Woman (First Batch), Reflection 45 Man (First Batch) and Interlude 53 Man (Third Batch) each reveal hidden facets and depths that unfurl across every dimension, making them richer, more potent, and gifted with extended longevity. An aesthete’s dream born from a visionary mindset that challenges contemporary practices, the Amouage Exceptional xtraits are a rarity conceived without limit or constraint, incompatible with any approach within the industry.
Renaud Salmon, Amouage’s Chief Experience Officer, said, “The Amouage Exceptional Extraits came to life from our ambition to craft the very best perfumes we could offer. They started as an instinctive experiment because, although Amouage has created Extraits in the past, none of them had been aged to this extentat such concentrations, containing between 43% and 56% pure oils. These Exceptional Extraits require both humility and patience. Humility is needed in the face of living natural materials which are the result of the work of both nature and man, with no guarantees about how they develop and what the result will be. Patience isnecessary to reflect, to age and to question, to blend components, to go back and start again, to choose a better path or to wait those long hours before the perfumes see the light of day. Each Exceptional Extrait is released only when the perfumer and myself consider that it hasreached a window of expression, telling us a story that is new and excitingenough to share with discerning perfume connoisseurs.”
The Amouage Exceptional Extraits are the result ofa succession of aging steps which progressively define their exquisite character. After five to ten weeks of Maturation, the concentrates reach a first plateau: they show promise, completeness and harmony. Everything is in place. This is when alcohol is carefully added and the slow Maceration stage starts: inimitable and irreproducible, it will last between three and sixteen weeks. The content of each tank is evaluated on a weekly basis, with every observation carefully noted. The perfumes progressively become more intense, precise and vibrant, energized by the transformation. A true metamorphosis: their universe expanded where all the components are completely integrated andthe creations become more complex than ever.
For almost 40 years, Amouage has carved out one of the most flattering reputations in the select amongst the circle of leading high-end perfume Houses around the world. This recognition is the fruit of the House’s unwavering dedication to perfumery and a coveted portfolio of high-quality Eau de Parfum containing a generous 20% to 30% pure oils. The four Exceptional Extraits, with their atypically high concentration ranging between 43% and 56%, now reveal a deeper story of the House’s most iconic creations.
Originally created as a Venusianode to the fate of Madame Butterfly, Honour Woman (2011) is a consecration of poetry, beauty and femininity. A decade later, presented in a 43% perfume oil concentration, Honour 43 Woman is perfumer Alexandra Carlin’s elevated interpretation of Amouage’s heady white floral perfume. Taking it to new heights, the white flowers - Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia, Lily of the Valley – have been taken through a slow yet active aging process, keeping each fragile note alive and bafflingly, insolently, youthful. The four floral essences continue to evolve and be magnified: aged and richer, yet more energized. This is the confounding paradox of Honour 43 Woman and it makes the sensorial experience totally different.
Inspired by the legends of the Silk Road, Epic Woman (2009) is Amouage’s iconic spicy, ambery fragrance that blooms under the mystical twilight stretching between China and Arabia. With the highly concentrated Epic 56 Woman Extrait, perfumer Cecile Zarokian displays her prowess for striking the difficult yet marvelous balance of extremes at a high dosage: 56%. After almost five months of aging, the piquancy of the spices remains fiery and vibrant as it meets a deeper than ever ambery counterpart. Both extremes come together in a show stopping crescendo, revealing a faceted rose heart. Cold vibrancy meets golden warmth. Torn between shadow and light, Epic 56 Woman is a synthesis of contradictions.
The quintessence of masculine refinement, Reflection Man (2007) captures the seductive power of a man's inner strength, expressing confident and enhanced sophistication. Given the gift of time and a generous 45% concentration of perfume oil, Reflection 45 Man reveals an assertive character, delicate complexity and crystalline elegance. Created by perfumer Lucas Sieuzac, this woody floral musk scent, aged for four months, presents an elaborate scent woven through with freshness and floralcy. The composition juxtaposes bright aromatic notes, velvety orris and creamy floral notes with more sensual and enveloping layers of vetiver, patchouli and sandalwood, combined with the spices. Virile and unexpectedly soft at the same time. A luxurious modern classic.
A soul-gripping explosion of balsams and spices, Interlude Man (2012) is a sublime display of a moment of harmony in the middle of the chaos. At the crossroads of extreme concentration and extended aging, Interlude 53 Man is the exceptional extrait version of perfumer Pierre Negrin’s iconic creation. Formulated at a 53% dosage and aged for 6 months in Amouage’s factory in Muscat, this third batch reveals hidden facets and depths of its original form. Where Interlude was colourful chaos, the maturity of Interlude 53 Man transmits completeness and more harmony. Every Interlude 53 Man batch is ever so slightly different: the soul of batch #3 reveals subtle notes of resins infusion, like candied honey pouring into a tumultuous flow of dark and smoky woods.
Available in limited quantities, the Amouage Exceptional Extraits come in luxurious lacquered 100 ml flacons adorned by the House’s signature ‘Gift of Kings’ seal and can be purchased online and instore at Harrods starting October 2021.
Extrait 43%
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: White Floral.
TOP: Pepper, Rhubarb Leaves, Coriander.
HEART: Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia, Lily of the Valley, Carnation.
BASE: Sandalwood, Labdanum, Vetiver, Frankincense, Opoponax, Leather.
BATCH INFO: Batch #1, Maturation 5 weeks + Maceration 3 weeks, Made in Oman.
PERFUMER: Alexandra Carlin
Since graduating from ISIPCA in 2002, Alexandra Carlin has delivered highly personal,
intimate and modern creations. An avid reader, her nuanced and multi layered perfumes are
always an invitation to travel and introspection.
Extrait 56%
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Spicy Amber.
TOP: Pink Peppercorn, Cinnamon, Cumin
HEART: Rose Centifolia, Geranium, Jasmine Tea.
BASE: Amber, Musk, Oud, Frankincense, Guaiac Wood, Orris, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla.
BATCH INFO: Batch #1, Maturation 8 weeks + Maceration 10 weeks, Made in Oman.
PERFUMER: Cécile Zarokian
An ISIPCA alumnus, Cécile Zarokian trod her own path by becoming at 27 the youngest
independent woman perfumer of our age. Her humility, curiosity and panartistic vision of her craft
results in fragrances often a certain grandiloquence and Armenian homeliness.
Extrait 45%
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Woody Floral Musk.
TOP: Benzoin, Pink Peppercorn, Clary Sage, Lavender, Cardamom, Juniper Berry.
HEART: Neroli, Orris, Jasmine, Angelica, Tonka Bean, Vanilla.
BASE: Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Myrrh, Frankincense, Opoponax.
BATCH INFO: Batch #1, Maturation 10 weeks + Maceration 6 weeks, Made in Oman.
PERFUMER: Lucas Sieuzac
The third generation of a line of perfumers, Lucas Sieuzac was still young when he created Reflection Man for Amouage. Lucas had the opportunity to learn from many master perfumers, Jean Claude Ellena, Maurice Roucel, Emilie Copperman to name a few. Lucas has retained a style marked by delicacy and transparency, allowing the sensitivity of each ingredient to shine through his perfumes.
Extrait 53%
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Spicy Woody.
TOP: Bergamot, Oregano, Pimento Berry.
HEART: Amber, Frankincense, Cistus, Opoponax.
BASE: Leather, Agarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood.
BATCH INFO: Batch #3, Maturation 8 weeks + Maceration 16 weeks, Made in Oman.
PERFUMER: Pierre Negrin
The son of scent traders, Pierre Négrin learned his art in a laboratory rather than a school. His
years spent in Mexico and New York influenced his work for Amouage, which tends to be
cosmopolitan and pragmatic, capturing the complexity of the densest balsams and absolutes.
The Exceptional Extraits can be purchased online or instore at Harrods.
For more information, samples and hi-res imagery please contact christina@agergroup.co.uk or maya@agergroup.co.uk
10, Bridgegate Centre
Welwyn Garden City
Herts,
AL7 1JG
United Kingdom
