AMOUAGE
DECISION

2025

PERFUMER
Quentin Bisch

bergamot
pink pepper
cardamom

frankincense
juniper
myrrh

cedarwood
patchouli
vanilla

‘Starting with an olfactory bolt of lightning, Decision banishes the darkness of uncertainty – an effect achieved through a combination of the cool woodiness and citrus-mineralic sparkle of Frankincense, Bergamot, Myrrh and Juniper Berries. After this striking opening, the light spreads further, aided by the gleaming sheen of Atlas Cedarwood. Finally, a warm Vanilla in the base conveys the profoundly liberating effect of acceptance. Uncompromising, distinctive and incandescent, Decision captures the paradox that lies at the core of all of life’s most powerful decisions: it is focused on its goal while remaining open to countless possibilities. 33% oil concentration, 5 weeks ageing: 3 weeks maceration, 2 weeks maturation.’ – Amouage

I’d briefly smelled Decision before and frankly, I underestimated it. This will not be my favorite Amouage, nor my favorite Bisch creation, not even in recent memory, but it’s a lot nicer than I gave it credit for. It’s definitely brighter and sharper than I figured it would be, despite being very vanillic and it dries down to a much more familiar frankincense fragrance.

It’s very sweet and the sweetness is nice and resinous, with a spicy tinge to it. Style-wise this reminds me perhaps most of Outlands, but with that typical Bisch-twist that gives it a bit of a sparkling spicy texture. But I’m reminded of that slightly custardy, earthy Nishane Ani vanilla and aromatic combination, just with a lot more frankincense.

Because that incense is most prominent after the opening minutes to my nose. Giving it that strange, inexplicable ‘fresh and honeyed simultaneous’ sensation that only incense has. Almost fizzy, like a sparkling drink. Of course it also lists juniper for that purpose.

For a while, there is an almost daring… rubbery? suede-ish? animalic? tinge that I can neither place, nor love. Dusty, old, band-aid-esque. Only a tinge, but enough to keep me on my toes when I smell Decision up close, rather than getting fully comfortable with it. Not as much of a saffron-bandaid vibe as for example in YSL Babycat and the overall freshness helps, but it’s good to take note of if you’re looking for a ‘cozy’ scent from start to finish.

All things said and done, as mentioned, not my favorite Amouage of the past year leading up to this release (which would be Lustre), not my favorite Bisch of that year either (which would be Tubereuse Astrale), but definitely my favorite Bisch x Amouage so far. It has some overlap with Tubereuse Astrale in that vanillic, spicy tinge, but I think the Maison Crivelly is more eccentric, whereas Decision is more familiar and fitting for the Amouage house style with its focus on frankincense.

I’ve only briefly smelled the other half of this duo, Existence, but I can tell you with confidence that I didn’t like it one bit on first impression. Guidance isn’t for me, although I liked Guidance 46 a tad more. Purpose was alright to me, but sort of in between Bisch’ hits Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede & Essential Parfums Bois Imperial, which I both preferred. Decision stands on his own a bit more (than Purpose) and I definitely enjoy it the most out of Bisch’ Amouage creations up to this point. A solid release.