J’s image of Parfums Artimíque Philtre D’Ambre

Philtre D’Ambre is Parfums Artimíque’s latest release and continues their journey with perfumer Cristiano Canali of Mane. With Philtre D’Ambre they take us by the hand and lead us into the night through the alleys and streets of old Venice. It’s also a move separating itself from the light playful summery trilogy of the first releases, Jasmin Gyokuro, Coconut Blanket and Shower & Smoke. This is signified by the design too, with Parfums Artimíque Philtre D’Ambre coming in a new matte black box, maybe this is the start of a new trilogy of perfumes? Philtre D’Ambre is a marvelous entrance into Parfums Artimíque’s enigmatic side.

 

Parfums Artimique founder/creative director Sara Marzocchini and Perfumer Cristiano Canali of MANE

Rich spices fill the air with a slightly charred smoke give Philtre D’Ambre a seductive dark opening. A deep rich honeyed rose blossoms in this spiced darkness with sweet citruses flickering like lights from candles on old city walls. A dusting of nutmeg gives age to this scene that unfolds around you as the perfume like the rose, blooms from your skin. Cristiano Canali has created a stunning Venetian lagoon accord that sketches out these old Venetian walls lapped and aged by salty sea water; you can smell this mineralic cool watery stone which plays as a beautiful counterpoint to the warm honey spiced rose. It’s both warm and cooling, like a soft sea breeze making you hold your lover closer as you walk through the small passages and cobbled streets of Venice as this scented adventure into the night unfolds.

Street night scene by a canal. Venice, Italy 2009, PONTE DE LA MALVASIA, Castello, By Jorge Royan via Wikipedia creative commons.

There’s a quiet wildness from Mane’s Red Seaweed pure Jungle Essence, it’s feels prominent yet controlled, giving that little hint of mystery and excitement lingering at the edges of Parfums Artimíque Philtre D’Ambre like a glimmer of danger in your lovers eye. It’s also delicious, feeling like a sea-salted gourmand, I’m not sure quite what, but I want to taste it to know it fully. It makes Philtre D’Ambre addictive for me to smell. A subtle dry hay facet brings you back on the paths, with a hint of dankness in the dark again transporting you into the past. Yet those subtle delicious gourmand facets make it feel very contemporary; Cristiano Canali has cleverly composed Philtre D’Ambre with contrasting elements that intertwine in a stunning way. The rose grows dark with an alluring warmth from clove, it’s a sizzling dark spice that teases out more subtle and complex nuances. A soft smokiness rises from this spiced warmth with labdanum and myrrh forming a balsamic rich amber incense, that weaves and teases its way through the rose making its petals feel like soft velvet. Myrrh candies the rose, making it feel like a dark gem that you have stumbled upon as you wind through the dark alleys as your lover draws closer.

 

Parfums Artimíque Philtre D’Ambre PR and bottle images courtesy of the brand.

Philtre D’Ambre’s lush incense dry down wraps around you like a lover’s arms, its honey rose petals drape over you as this swirl of sweet kisses ranging from rich chocolate to playful fruity ones tease you in an intoxicating haze of incense smoke, feeling smooth yet packed full of complexity that pops out giving subtle variations through the wear. This perfume feels darkly luxurious, as deep chocolaty patchouli merges with a warm glow of tonka bean, giving the incense a delicious velvety sensation. Again, more of the beautiful Mane materials are on show with Orcanox©, Mane’s newest ambroxan variation, creating this super diffusive aura with gentle sweet musky almost furry warmth still humming with a light spice. Philtre D’Ambre is already packed with well-balanced rich materials. I love the soft fizz of the resins with a gentle vanillic sweetness giving a subtle allure to the dark, soft smoke haze. You can still feel the salt-licked stone of  the watery city, mise-en-scène, which smells addictive and alluring. It’s sexy and refined yet with incense smokiness, Philtre D’Ambre creates a mysterious dream-like feel of infinite space as new love unfolds around you lost in old city walls of Venice with the water lapping the stone beneath.

This new perfume from Parfums Artimíque is a beautiful and unique take on amber, the salty mineralic Venice Lagoon accord with the rich spiced resinous incense smoke feels addictive and luxurious, its warmth to feels enveloping yet airy making it a prefect amber incense to wear on a warm summer’s night. I’m excited to test this more in the cooler weather to see how it changes but Philtre D’Ambre is one not to miss.

Notes: Red Mandarin, Turkish Rose, Venice Lagoon inspired accord, Myrrh, Red Algae, Nutmeg, Cloves, Patchouli, Benzoin JE, Labdanum, Peru’ Balsam, Venetian Churches inspired accord.

Disclaimer: A tester bottle of Parfums Artimique Philtre D’Ambre was kindly sent by Parfums Artimique. Thoughts and nose are my own.

J Wearescentient – Senior Editor, artist and olfactive writer.

Philtre D’Ambre bottle image courtesy of the brand.

Thanks to the generosity of Parfums Artimique we have a draw for one 50ml bottle of Philtre D’Ambre for one registered reader in the US, UK or EU. To be eligible, please leave a comment about what appealed to you about J Wearescentient’s review and where you live. Giveaway closes 5/26/2025

You can read my pieces on two of Parfums Artimique’s  perfumes, including the 2024 Art and Olfaction finalist, Jasmin Gyokuro and Shower and Smoke.  Parfums Artimique was my Best in Scent 2023 favourite new house.

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