Amber & Roses

The Verdict

Mancera Amber & Roses, created by Pierre Montale in 2014 for the house's Wild Desire collection, is a fragrance that challenges every expectation set by its name. This is not a pretty amber-and-roses composition for gentle evenings. Instead, it is a dark, smoky, almost oud-like exploration of rose in its most gothic incarnation, shrouded in dense amber, labdanum, and incense. The result is a fragrance that inspires strong reactions and divides the community into passionate advocates and those who find it overwhelming.

Those who connect with Amber & Roses discover a powerful, long-lasting composition that generates compliments and commands attention. Those who do not may find it oppressive and monotonal. Either way, it makes an impression.

What It Smells Like

The opening presents an icy-fresh burst of Sicilian lemon that quickly yields to the darker forces within. As the citrus dissipates, a dense cloud of smoky amber and labdanum rises, creating an effect so dark and resinous that many reviewers compare it to oud, even though oud is not listed among the notes. The amber is not warm and cuddly but rather powerful, almost industrial in its smokiness.

Within this imposing amber structure, rose and Indian jasmine emerge as a gothic floral heart. The rose is not bright or fresh but rather hidden behind the dense amber cloud, revealing itself as dark, jammy, and melancholic. White musk in the base adds a creamy smoothness that tempers the intensity somewhat, but the overall impression remains one of brooding sensuality. Reviewers describe it as melancholic, gloomy, and romantically gothic, conjuring visions of gothic mansions surrounded by mysterious fog.

When to Wear It

Amber & Roses is strictly a cold-weather evening fragrance. Its massive projection and dark, smoky character would be overwhelming in warm weather or confined daytime settings. It thrives on winter nights, date evenings, and occasions where its dramatic presence can unfold without oppressing those nearby.

One spray goes a long way, and restraint in application is essential. This is a fragrance that will fill a room and linger in hallways, so it demands environments large enough to accommodate its considerable sillage.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is one of Amber & Roses' most consistent strengths. Longevity is rated 3.87 out of 5 on Fragrantica, with reviewers reporting 6-8 hours as typical and some experiencing 12 or more hours on skin. Sillage is rated 2.84 out of 4, indicating strong projection that ensures you will be noticed. Multiple reviewers confirm that one spray is genuinely sufficient for an entire day. This is a Mancera fragrance with the typical Mancera nuclear performance that the house is known for.

The Community Says

The community on Fragrantica, Maxaroma, and Luckyscent views Amber & Roses as one of Mancera's more interesting and polarizing offerings. Positive reviewers call it one of the kings from a compliment standpoint, praising its dark romantic character and exceptional projection. One reviewer described a blind buy experience that revealed a melancholic, gloomy, and romantically gothic fragrance with jammy rose and a honey touch. Critical voices find the opening green and unpleasant, the drydown overly sweet, and the overall composition not unique enough to justify its niche positioning. The consensus is that sampling before purchasing is essential.

Who Should Buy This

Amber & Roses is designed for fragrance enthusiasts who gravitate toward dark, gothic, and sensual compositions. If you love the interplay of smoky amber with deep rose and appreciate fragrances that command a room, this is a rewarding choice. Those who enjoy Montale's house style will find familiar territory here, given Pierre Montale's involvement. It also suits anyone who prioritizes longevity and projection above all other performance metrics.

The Bottom Line

Mancera Amber & Roses is a bold, unapologetic exploration of rose at its darkest and most gothic. Its powerful performance, smoky amber depth, and polarizing character make it a fragrance that you will either obsess over or actively avoid, with very little room for indifference in between.