AMOUAGE
JUBILATION XXV
2008
PERFUMER
Bertrand Duchaufour
Blackberry
frankincense
Orange
Labdanum
Coriander
Tarragon
Honey
Cinnamon
Guaiac Wood
Bay Leaf
Clove
Rose
Orchid
Celery Seed
Opoponax
Oud
Myrrh
Patchouli
CedarWOOD
Ambergris
Immortelle
Musk
Oakmoss
Jubilation XXV was the first Amouage fragrance that I ever tried. During my first impression, I wasn’t immediately charmed by it, but I did love the drydown. The second time around, I could appreciate it much more. Since then, it’s become one of the very best one from Amouage for me. Among the best fragrances on the market in general.
A nice dose of blackberry leads the way, joined by what I perceive as mainly earthy, mildly sweetened spices. At its heart Jubilation XXV smells like a heavy rich opaque blackberry tea that I’m drinking in a mossy forest setting. It’s dense and opulent.
I prefer the drydown, because it gets a woodier, heavier and darker. What surprises me the most about this fragrance is the lasting power of the slight fruitiness, as it’s present from start to finish on my skin.
Definitely one for the colder weather for me, but a true gem.
Sidenote: Fragrance Du Bois New York Intense is pretty much identical to this. The later released Jubilation 40 is a great, slightly different take on the DNA, that I may even prefer over the original.