New Niche Fragrance Review: A Dozen Roses Amber Queen – A Golden Floribunda + Rollerball Draw

When I heard the name of the new perfume from A Dozen Roses, and saw the pretty bottle design, I immediately thought it would be a nice warm, woody fragrance with some rose notes in the heart, perfect for autumn. I really need to start looking at notes lists before I jump to conclusions about a perfume, because Amber Queen isn’t like that. I forgot that A Dozen Roses names their perfumes after actual roses, and that the names don’t necessarily reflect the scents. The Amber Queen Rose is a lovely floribunda rose in deep golden yellow. The perfume opens with fruit that also comes in lovely golden-orange colors: apricot and clementine. To say I was surprised by the fruit is an understatement; a bit disappointed, I had to regroup and re-try the scent on its own merits.

On my second testing, I applied lavishly. This is the kind of perfume that can take a heavy hand, and the aroma is better for it. Amber Queen is a fruity floral, with the above-mentioned apricot and clementine creating the golden glow on the rose accord that is a signature component of the line. The complexities of the fruit, with some subtle ginger, combine well with the rose heart. The notes list says there is amber and myrrh in the base, but it is too subtle to me, even after some time. The press materials describe this as a skin scent. I don’t completely agree; it doesn’t have the soft radiance a good skin scent has once it has settled in. It does have decent sillage, and average longevity.

There are many fruity florals on the market, to the point where it is has become a term of derision. It can be hard to remember that there are some nice ones, and that there are so many because the mass market consumer showed a preference for them at some point.  In the scheme of things, Amber Queen does a good job of lifting itself above the fray. Perhaps it is because apricot is such a juicy, aromatic choice of notes that it helps the scent to stand apart. Also, there is no ubiquitous pink pepper, pink peony, or anything pink in the mix, which is welcome (not that there aren’t some good pink perfumes out there, just so many ho-hum ones). Fans of apricots and roses who enjoy a pretty bottle would be wise to seek this one out.

Notes: Apricot, Clementine, Ginger, Bengal Rose, Signature Rose Absolute, Amber, Myrrh

My sample was graciously provided by the nice folks at A Dozen Roses, who have also given us a lovely 8.5 ml rollerball to give away. Do you have a favorite rose breed you might like to see as perfume? I have always been partial to Cecile Brunner and Joseph’s Coat. Draw ends on September 1, 2012.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume.

-Tama Blough, Senior Editor

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51 comments

  • Well, I wish I knew roses well enough to name a breed. I do not. I can however name a color, yellow. I also love an apricot note. So Amber Queen sounds like a scent that might be just lovely for me.

  • Brother Cadfael is a gorgeous pink English Rose with an intoxicating scent 🙂 Thanks for the draw!

  • I’ve always loved the Ta’if rose and although it’s used in a few scents(Amouage and Ormonde Jayne) ,I wish it were used more-such a beautiful scent.Thanks for the draw!

  • I tried this at NM and found it quite lovely – surprising, since I usually shy away from ambery scents. I wish I could crawl into a bower of rosa rugosa..except they are thorny as the dickens!

    xoxoxoA

  • Tama, thanks for the review! This really is a pretty rose and a pretty bottle. Apricot in the top sounds nice, too, I think rose and apricot is a good idea. One of the Rosines did that – I think, it was Pousserie – but I did not like that scent. Thought it was a great idea though!

    I would’ve loved to have perfume based on Gloria Dei, it is my mother’s favorite rose. Every year her father will buy her a bunch for her midsummer birthday. I would love that to be captured in a fragrance.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • What about an heirloom rose that could be a nod to a great vintage rose fragrance like Ombré Rose

  • I haven’t met a rose yet that I don’t like, so I’m willing to try any and all 🙂 Thanks so much for the draw entry! I’m usually not a big fruity floral fan, but the apricot note does intrigue me, and I would definitely like to try this.

  • I have no idea what it is called, but I once smelled a really old vine of tea roses in the Northeast and that should be bottled!

  • There are so many beauties out there. As a college student, I attended the Rose parade every year in Pasadena and was always amazed at how many were used for the event. I love some of the new hybrids out there that have 2-toned effects.

  • Well I love yellow and lialc roses they have a subtle smell i’d likr to see – sniff in a fragrance!

  • Tourbillion says:

    I don’t know the name of it, but there is an amazing purple rose around the corner from my house that smells amazing. I like yellow roses too, but I see that they already have one.

  • I like the bourbon indian roses ^^

    The boyfriend grew up with them, and introduced me to them last year, and they have such a spicy potent fragrance that is unlike the soft lady like Damascus rose I also love.

  • I don’t know my rose breeds to name one, but I do love an old fashioned rose with spicy undertones. This sounds lovely.

  • I am ignorant as to rose names (see also Art: I know what I like) but this perfume sounds lovely.

  • I don’t know about rose hybrid names, but there’s a lavender-blue rose in my garden with a wonderful scent of candied rose petals. I don’t think I would want it as a soliflore, but it would go nicely with other notes. Thanks for the draw.

  • I do not know names or rose breeds and till ” Une Rose Chypree” I thought I do not like rose containing perfumes- things changed so much
    Thanks for the draw

  • I’ve always loved the Peace Rose — a classic and beautiful to look at, at that. And we could use a little more peace these days!

  • well, if anything i would like to see the common “by the side of the path” rose as a perfume.
    i don’t know what these are called — dog-rose, maybe?
    the now d/c-ed l’occitan jasmine rose (that was only rose to my nose) had something of this.

    i must say that the apricot sounds absolutely mouthwatering in the review.
    i’d love to try it.

  • I like a lot’s of roses. I don’t know the tea rose Double Delight in scents. Maybe that’s an interesting one? Thanks for the draw.

  • There’s a breed called “Burgundy Iceberg” which has a great spicy, clovey note. Thanks for the draw!

  • I don’t know enough about rose breeds, but I loved the scent of the ones my Mommom grew, and am very interested in rose fragrances now. Thanks for the draw!

  • I have always liked tea roses. I would love to try Amber Queen, it sounds just lovely. Thanks for the draw.

  • So many amazing real rose scents to choose from! But I do think that there ought to be a rose perfume called Souvenir de la Malmaison. Not only does the rose smell amazing but it would also be fitting, as Malmaison was the home of Josephine Bonaparte, a true rose lover.

  • I do not have a favourite rose breed, but I am always opened for trying new and interesting things. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • I’ve been curious about this brand for awhile. Thanks for the draw!

    My favourite rose breed is the Red Etoile de Hollande Climbing Rose. My mother used to grow this in her garden, and the aroma was spectacular.

  • Borko Boris says:

    Really hard to choose just one rose. They all have something special, different but yet similar. I would like to smell a perfume that has as many rose breeds in it as possible.

  • Farawayspices says:

    I would love to see the plump yellow roses in our backyard when I was a little girl made into a perfume.

  • I do not know any other rose breeds except those that are used in perfumes to my shame. I wonder if there’s a rose breed that has my favourite colour: the undefinned colour of the water when the moon reflects it’s light on it. That one I would like to see in a perfume.

  • I like the sweet or spicy roses, Think something with the Burgundy Iceberg with it’s sweet honey scent. Great job Tama. Thanks for the draw.

  • I wish I could tell you a name. Usually I love yellow roses and small ones with many layers. This golden-orange sounds really stunning.