Perfume Review: Amouage Ciel

Ciel is “the spring fragrance” in the Amouage range of perfumes. You can find more background information on this luxurious line started in 1980s by His Highness Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud al bu Said, the Sultan of Oman, as a means of revival of Oman’s perfume tradition, in my review of Amouage Gold. As far as I understand, Guy Robert is the nose behind all Amouage fragrances, including Ciel (correct me if I am mistaken). Oman has always been the source of the best (silver) frankincense and, to honor that fact, frankincense is present in most Amouage perfumes. Ciel is no exception, however once again, the precious accord is too faint, too overwhelmed by other notes, for me to get to know and to enjoy it. Infinitely more wearable and fit for everyday life than majestic Gold, Ciel is still quite a rich and sensual floral bouquet with notes of gardenia, cyclamen, violet leaves, peach, waterlily, rose, jasmine, amber, musk, cedarwood, sandalwood, and the elusive frankincense. I rather enjoy the beginning of Ciel, it starts green (violet leaves) and creamy (gardenia), and has a vaguely tropical, happy, holiday feel to it. Peach is quite evident at the middle stage and pairs nicely with the sweet rose note, with jasmine being but a hint somewhere in the distance. My only complaint is the waterlily note, which appears just before the drydown and brings with it an unwelcome metallic and aquatic accord. It stays for a while, but when it finally disappears, the drydown of Ciel, though, to my nose, devoid of any hint of frankincense, is a rich and somehow spicy, savory almost, blend of amber, musk and cedar. Even though very beautiful, Ciel is not really my type of scent and the price is rather prohibitive, but I cannot help but again admire the bottles. Inspired by ancient Omani culture, they are made of lead crystal and ornamented with sterling silver. Ciel is available at Amouage.com, €175, and at Parfumsraffy, $75.00 – 215.00.