American Amber
Extrait, Folkwinds (2025)

Rich, spicy, heavy... the goal, apparently, was to showcase the "Amburana accord" and, though new to me, I do feel it was mission accomplished. This legendary accord seems to me to be largely a sweetly spicy and warm combination of cinnamon, allspice, clove and nutmeg, with some vanilla and maybe ginger. It's somewhat tart and does remind me of cider. The actual Amburana wood definitely imparts a complex melange of notes and is used in creating a Brazilian liquor called Cachaca and increasingly to add character to whiskies and even beer. Overall, the smell of American Amber isn't a million miles away from the aroma of Angostura Bitters.
The fragrance is bolstered by vintage Siberian deer musk and oud but neither are especially pronounced nor is the carnation or rose especially noticable. The fragrance is largely linear and for me most evocative of autumn and winter, sitting around a fire and sipping cider and mulled wine. I'm reminded of the house of Pineward here as well. As it dries down further it becomes increasingly boozy and quite bourbon-like. I think i like it.