Royale Ambree by Legrain

I adore it; it brings back memories of ancient kings, smelling exactly like a king’s cologne.

The Eau de Cologne Royale Ambree by Legrain is a classic of men’s perfumery, very popular in Spain and Europe. The Legrain house proudly displays ‘Since 1943’ (wish it were, during the full Second World War and France occupied by the Nazis; that’s something, kids). We’ve heard it a thousand times from our grandparents or parents. It’s charming, fresh, and super economical. It brings a sense of cleanliness, freshness, and good vibes to the mature man. I recommend the retro glass bottle version of 200ml, or the plastic one with a spray nozzle of 240ml, very comfortable for travelling, for just 5-6 euros (or less in local chemists) if you’re new, hate the splash, or don’t want to spend more than 5 quid on a cologne that smells like ‘uncle uncle’. Due to its intrinsic lavender touch that gives it strength, masculinity, and some longevity (about 20-30 minutes on the skin, with a trail of 20 cm for 5 minutes), it distances itself from typical unisex citrus and herbal waters and becomes an essential in every serious man over 40’s bathroom cabinet. Good health and light a fire with joy.

I don’t know what’s going on with this cologne; I see a mushroom-like finish that scares me. It must be that ‘ambered’ note. If it were among woods, like pu-erh tea, it would be exquisite to me. But with the freshness of lemon and rosemary, it’s like tasting chocolate with mayonnaise.

Magnificent!

A very pleasant surprise. I didn’t know it and was quite surprised when I tried it. @Maeva’s description is very informative and accurate regarding the aromatic notes, so I refer you to her. I see it as a pleasant alternative for mild and summer seasons. I agree that its opening is harsh and dry, but it has a very pleasant and suitable effect for moments requiring a revitalising rest. It’s a classic eau de cologne for personal enjoyment. Although it doesn’t last long and projects little, the quality/price ratio is excellent; I highly recommend it.

It reminds me a lot of Acqua di Parma.

Royale Ambrée definitely doesn’t carry amber as its name suggests, but rather it’s a wonderfully masculine citrus EDT, incredibly refreshing, with a longevity of about two hours, and sold at the price of a sandwich. It’s an excellent idea if you want to start a diet and at the same time smell like a lemon tree under the Mediterranean sun: avoid the bakery section and go straight to the supermarket perfume. Simple and discreet, but noticeable during its life. The lavender is barely perceptible and brings a pleasant bitter note that adds depth. Ideal for hot days, it’s surprising its goodness if you look at the price. An evergreen that has survived decades, a timeless and beautiful proposal in its simplicity.

Has been around since 1943 and has been a classic in Spain since the 60s, used by my grandparents, parents, and me in childhood, although I soon moved on to more ‘sophisticated’ national EDTs like Estivalia, Azur by Puig, Alada, or Don Algodón. I lost it in the 90s, but I spotted it in a chemist liquidating antiques and simply couldn’t resist. It wasn’t my favourite, but it’s a fragrant piece of my country’s and my own history. I remember Legrain’s adverts: this Royale Ambrée, marketed as a fresh unisex cologne; the Petit Cheri children’s line; and the famous Moussel gel, the first of its kind to replace soap tablets. In the 80s, Sara Lee absorbed Legrain and stripped away its Parisian ‘charme’ by merging it with Cruz Verde. My bottle reads ‘Cruz Verde – Legrain’. Another short-sighted move was selling Moussel to Unilever, who relaunched it in 2014 and made it a best-seller again. Royale Ambrée is a typical citrus Eau de Cologne: fresh, slightly herbaceous, and not long-lasting. On my skin, it lasts about 1.5 hours. It develops in two phases: 45 minutes of lemon with a faint rosemary base, followed by another 45 minutes of ambered lemon with rosemary almost imperceptible (you have to press your nose to it). I don’t detect lavender, perhaps due to the deterioration of my 90s bottle. I’ll wait for another user to review it so as not to do them an injustice. It’s very pleasant, simpler and less sweet/floral than 1916 or 4711, which feel cloying to me. At first, it smells dry and rough, but there’s a warm accord I think is amber (or sandalwood) that dominates the lemon as it dries. I like remembering those years of instant pleasure, prolonging the freshness of a bath or heading out on a Sunday morning, when longevity didn’t matter and I appreciated that freshness, simplicity, and joy.