Amouage Epic Woman courtesy of Amouage

 

XVIII.

Think, in this batter’d Caravanserai

Whose Doorways are alternate Night and Day,

How Sultan after Sultan with his Pomp

Abode his Hour or two and went his way. ~ The Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward Fitzgerald

Fallujah1914 caravanserai wikiwand

All along the Silk Road, caravanserai traipsed for approximately 1,400 years – through desert terrain and the vast Eurasian steppe. Intrepid adventurers and merchants risked life and limb to purchase, barter and deliver precious goods for European consumption and edification. The most well-known among these might be Marco Polo, who commenced his journey to China in 1271 A.D. and continued to travel these roads for 24 years. Silks, gems, spices; noodles (soon to be known as pasta) and the concept of paper cur Amouage Epic rency were among the discoveries he brought back with him over the decades. Amouage Epic Woman (the new extrait, Amouage Epic 56 Woman (solely created by Cecile Zarokian in 2021) is beautifully described by Senior Contributor Rachel Watson) is a brilliant olfactive illustration of the precious cargo for which we continue to be grateful: it is laden with spice, exquisite roses, tea, musk, frankincense, sandalwood and oud from the East. In fact, Amouage Epic Woman was the first Arabian perfume I ever purchased (soon to be followed by Jubilation 25 Epic Woman epitomized the creation of haute parfumerie which would satisfy exotic cravings all around the globe.

Cécile Zarokian courtesy of Cécile Zarokian

 In 2009 our youngest was in high school; I recall his passing by me as I tap-tapped, writing late into the night – and burying his inquisitive nose in my hair. “That is simply marvelous”, he astutely remarked – and of course, the fragrance in which I was enveloped was Epic Woman (this particular son has since developed a similarly good sense of smell and now is a fine cook). Its Silk Road rose from Damascus was embedded in rare woods and frankincense, and since everyone in my household appreciated cumin, there wasn’t a single complaint to be voiced. Thirteen years later and nothing has changed.

It is said that fortune favors the bold – and Amouage Epic Woman is nothing if not bold. It is, in my opinion, one of those fragrances which benefits from decanting into a small glass vial or flacon for dabbing – not spraying. Unless one lives within a culture which is not disturbed by very potent aromas, anything approaching liberal lashings of Epic Woman may be considered antisocial: it is pervasive, tenacious and imperious, taking no prisoners. Above all things, Epic is overwhelmingly beautiful, intoxicating as the first flush of passion. Regal is an accurate descriptor, I think.

 

 

Sarah Brightman Tour 2004©

Rose is the diva here, further fleshed out by the rosy/minty/herbalcy of geranium. Jasmine takes a back stage role, as does orris; considering the prominence of cumin and cinnamon and the heft of tea, amber, frankincense and woody components, this is not surprising. Both vanilla and oud are judiciously dosed, which is fortuitous – as this prevents Epic Woman from becoming overbearing to many Western noses. Why the delineation between East and West? I firmly believe that at the time this perfume was composed there existed a desire to bridge cultural differences – to maintain the beauty of an established Middle Eastern ethic in such a way that those of us living elsewhere would be seduced and curious to experience more. I perceive Amouage Epic Woman as a means of establishing a form of aromatic communication which speaks to a larger audience and engenders understanding and appreciation. Increasing familiarity with a particular palette might indeed provoke a desire to explore cuisine/custom/culture through which common ground is found. This can only bring us all closer, in my view. Heaven knows, I try to achieve this with food; why not perfume?

Notes: Cumin, Pink Bay (schinus molle), Cinnamon, Damask Rose, Geranium, Jasmine, Tea, Amber, Musk, Oud Frankincense, Guaiac Wood, Orris, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla.

Tester generously provided by Europerfumes. Many thanks!  My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Editor’s Note: Read more about Cécile Zarokian, who was still an intern when she co-created Amouage Epic Woman in her own words here

 To buy or test at Luckyscent

photo courtesy of @amouageofficial©

Thanks to the generosity of Europerfumes, the USA distributor, we have a 100 ml tester bottle of Amouage Epic Woman for one registered reader in the U.S. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what strikes you about Amouage Epic Woman based on Ida’s review and what your favorite Amouage fragrance is. Draw closes 2/11/2022

 Follow us on Instagram: @cafleurebonofficial @idameister @amouageofficial @official_europerfumes @ceciliezarokianparfumeur

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy.

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so please “like” ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed … or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.