Amber Chocolate by The Lab

Almost no one and I mean very few enjoy BR540 clones but this is the only one I can stomach. It doesn’t quite take my fancy yet I do wear it. I’m struck by that turn towards burnt chocolate dark and seductive. At first it smells like Orientica’s Amber Rouge but less synthetic and without that toothpaste-like fluorine scent. Here the dark chocolate is strong from the outset with hints of clove and saffron that don’t smell of sweat. It evolves considerably drawing closer to the original Baccarat Rouge through its resins and spices yet never loses its identity; the resemblance is either coincidental or a refined BR540. The dry-down is akin to By The Fireplace sweeter and less woody. I find it very sexy and unisex. In heat it was a disaster; in cold a marvel. Ideal for those seeking an elegant version of the BR540 or something spiced with chocolate as the star. These perfumes make me regain faith in gourmands. I don’t see myself wearing it but I’d love to smell it on someone else. Edit: (11/25/2024) I wore it in heat and humidity and as I said it’s a disaster; it smells of synthetic chocolate with banana and cinnamon. Don’t buy it blindly if you live in a hot climate; test it in the cold because the heat ruins it. Presentation: 4/10 (nothing notable for the price) Longevity: 8/10 (lasts nearly eleven hours) Sillage: 7/10 (starts strong and fades gradually) Originality: 4/10 (too many similarities) Versatility: 6/10 (so heavy it’s only for cold nights) Season: Autumn and Winter (a nightmare in heat) Taste: 5/10. Would I buy again?: No.

This perfume is my second favourite from this beautiful niche house (the first being Neroli Noir). It is the very essence of what I understand by a seductive fragrance: fragrant and sweet without being cloying, almost like a spoon cutting through ganache, perfect for evening and seduction. My wife adores it; when I embrace her wearing this, she can’t help but press her nose closer to my chest to smell it better. I feel it has little sillage, but its longevity is remarkable.

A very well-crafted and pleasant scent, reminiscent of Baccarat Rouge 540, but where there is caramel there is dry chocolate; mixed with soft tobacco, it leans more towards the masculine side. It lasts easily for 24 hours on the skin and survives two or three washes on clothes. It’s a deceptive fragrance, like all from this house: you must test the sprays, because if you apply too little it sits close to the skin, and if you overdo it, you’ll have to wash it off yourself as it doesn’t last on you.