Ambra Calabria

Ambra Calabria starts with a bright, energizing scent that feels fresh and green, like stepping outside on a dewy morning. It shifts to a warm, vanillic-amber base, creating a cohesive balance despite its dual aspects. While it shares structural similarities with Byredo's Gypsy Water, this version has better performance, which is a standout feature compared to other Nishane perfumes. The opening is invigorating—think zesty citrus, tart bergamot, and a touch of peppery spice from coriander that adds depth. The vanilla that emerges later is dry and nuanced, pairing beautifully with the citrus notes for a unique twist—one that feels almost counterseasonal, as if winter's warmth meets summer's brightness. A subtle jasmine adds softness to the floral elements, blending seamlessly with the vanilla before giving way to warm, musky amber. The scent fades into a skin-like vanilla with a hint of woodiness, leaving a moderate sillage and longevity—though it could use some improvement here, as others have noted in their reviews. Overall, Ambra Calabria is an inviting, unisex perfume that feels light and refreshing, with a clever twist of warmth. It’s a quality scent that would likely shine even more with stronger performance. 4/5.

It felt unusual to me. I enjoy each note on its own, though it didn't work for me since the scent was so sharp, almost Play-Doh-like in intensity. I was really hoping for something brighter and warmer, like the amber-driven Wulong Cha I adore.

This perfume isn’t overly complicated or strange, though I’m not too familiar with fresh amber scents. Still, Ambra Calabria feels unique and intriguing to me. It starts with a zesty, citrusy burst of green notes and fades into a light, spicy amber—nothing dark or resinous, more like vanilla-tinged warmth. The coriander adds a sharpness that’s hard to resist, and if you’re someone who loves Alexander McQueen's Kingdom (even though it’s cumin-based), this might be worth trying on. While I see similarities to Hermes' L'Ambre des Merveilles—deeper, sweeter, and saltier—it has a stronger citrus backbone that stays consistent throughout. It reminds me of an iced Russian Caravan black tea with lemon and aromatic herbs, which gives it a refreshing, sexy vibe. I’m not sure I need a full bottle, but the sample is so addictive, I don’t want to use it up either. Definitely not blind-buy safe, though—it can feel almost like a clean, slightly sweaty masculine scent, like after a quick shower. But in a good way, still smelled like something fresh and invigorating.

It’s really pretty, but it’s not something I’d typically wear. As a guy, this scent feels too soft or feminine for me. I could definitely see myself incorporating this into a room spray or candle setup.

Incredible scent! My top pick from the Nishane collection.