The Library Collection Opus VII

This is MY FIRST AMOUAGE PURCHASE (despite several pangs of urge to buy Epic Man, Fate Man, Journey Man and Myths Man). I can't help but to revel in this cologne's olfactory beauty. To my nose, Opus VII opens with this inexplicably green, resinous acridity (perhaps it's the galbanum and fenugreek notes) that gradually morphs into a nice leathery trail at the dry down! It's inimitably woody, spicy, laced with some wimpy dose of Orientalism. Tho' marketed as "unisex", this won't work for all ladies (and gents) except, of course, you enjoy esoteric, dark, green, Leather-themed fragrances! A sui generis olfactory work! Nice one Messrs Morillas, Messrs Negrin and Messrs Chong! IG: @mr_cornells

Opus VII is a rich spicy-amber scent with a good dose of aromatic green herbal notes. The spices are peppery and reminiscent of Indian cooking - delicious in context, but not what I typically look for in a perfume. However, Opus VII pulls it off - it is a luxurious, masculine-leaning spicy leather scent with a herbal-woody edge. OVII opens with strong, aromatic spicy notes, green and savoury, like a spice market. Peppery cardamom is very prominent here. The balsamic amber base develops from the beginning, melding beautifully with the rich spices. Herbal notes add to the food-like portion of this scent. The galbanum adds hazy greenness, while warm, peppery spice and patchouli make for a earthy, dark accord, offset by some smoky incense. The amber accord becomes increasingly leathery as it develops, musky and just the right amount of animalic. The patchouli becomes more balsamic as it progresses. Smooth sandalwood grounds things as it dries down, complementing the rich amber accord beautifully. The spices and earthiness remain - it is very well-blended throughout. In a nutshell, the leather accord develops as the spices mellow, with the smoky-woody-herbal-earthy notes rounding it out. Sillage is strong and longevity is long-lasting, and it is best worn in autumn/winter. A rich, high-quality scent, OVII is multifaceted yet cohesive. It is one of the best of the Library Collection scents - a relic of Christopher Chong's time at the helm of Amouage. I would love this on a man. 4.5/5.

@cheekycheek In my review I indeed mentioned that I would consider this to be a masculine scent. I just have trouble envisioning a situation(like a date or some ballroom dancing event) for a female to wear this masterpiece. But you are right, anytime, male or female, anyone that needs a boost to feel good and confident this perfume is ideal. Kudos to you. Best, CH

I didn't realize how much I loved this until I spilled my 3ml sample in my work bag and was sad about it. On the upside I have the best smelling work bag around. It's really good. I will have to get some more for sure.

Peppery, hard, very dry, spice is what hits you first and like a freight train! The cardamom and fenugreek is huge and borderline unpleasant. The theme with these fragrances are the top notes of dry spice exist as a thin veil which mellows and thins out further but never quite completely goes away until deep, deep into the drydown. Somehow yet again Amouage have created something that conjures up all the imagery and feeling of the Middle East and yet again when the spice subsides a little after an hour or so the heart and base of the fragrance are revealed and it's wonderful!!!! The Oud is lovely and works well in this composition. Unfortunately this is the first and only one I've tried from the library collection but it seems like an educating and thoroughly worthwhile spin on the Amouage carousel. Need more samples of the others. Update: Having worn this again since my first review I have to say although I would never accuse any Amouage fragrance of being linear and not possessing depth, I couldn't get past that heavy cardamom opening. As this thing changes though you start to pick up on a creamy, Oud, sandalwood, definite leather coming through after the first hour or so and smoke it's really really really good!!! There's almost a sweetness coming from something deep under all that dark dark heaviness and it's also quite green too. Very complex, completely bonkers, almost satanic in its darkness I can just imagine Al Pacino wearing this in that devils advocate movie!