AMOUAGE
REMAIN
2025
PERFUMER
Pierre Negrin
mandarin
pimento
bergamot
frankincense
lily
ylang-ylang
juniper
jasmine
ambergris
guaiac wood
patchouli
tonka bean
vanilla
‘An olfactory expression of the value of time. Crafted through a revolutionary process: a double-infusion with sandalwood and artisanal oakwood barrels. Each fragrance is highly concentrated, containing 30% pure perfume oils, and underwent a meticulous six-month aging process, including a double infusion with sandalwood chips and oakwood barrels, resulting in a deep, layered scent experience. Housed in a new bottle – the first new design introduced by Amouage in 15 years – the Essences represent a pinnacle of olfactory artisanship. A single dot – the origin, the pure potential, the spark from which creation bursts forth. Spices ignite the composition with green aromatic freshness, while carrot and bergamot add a golden glow. At the heart of this creation, vanilla emerges as a paradox, both raw and refined, primal yet velvety. Wrapped in the floral warmth of ylang-ylang and jasmine, it takes on a luminous, almost celestial quality. The base is a foundation of sacred frankincense, deep sandalwood, and castoreum, anchoring the fragrance in the very roots of perfumery’s history.’ – Amouage
Part of The Essences Act II (consisting of Line 618, Remain & Sequence). After 6 of these (including Act I: Lustre, Reasons & Outlands). In Act I Lustre felt like it was ‘made for the Essences’ the most to my nose and for Act II, that is the case for Remain. it seems like a great use of the barrel aging and sandalwood infusion, which borders on feeling like a gimmick with some of the other Essences in my experience.
Sweet and smooth, I feel like Remain suits the whole barrel aged theme well. And in this case, it makes for a great, softly textured wear. While definitely my favorite on first wear, it is also the most familiar smelling and arguably safest release of Act II.
Specifically, this is a very sweet amber, that sets out smelling like older batches of Shalimar. Ambery, vanilla, tonka bean, but with a good dose of retro-smelling citrus-bergamot up top. Initially, I found the comparisons a bit overdone, as the opening hour of Remain is less sweet and brighter.
It opens like a handsoap or lotion version of Shalimar (or Musc Ravageur, as is always often referenced). The vanilla-tonka bean sweetness is only half there and it reminded me as well of a sweet candle, where you have a cleaner, almost soapy tinge to the sweetness. And that citrus, which cuts through it quite nicely. It gave me a similar sentiment and feeling as Roja Lost In Paris did for example.
However, as time goes by, while remaining buttery smooth and still more on the lotion-side of a Shalimar, the sweetness does completely overtake alongside a woodier base. It borders on sugary, with brown sugar and honeyed facets. Still, beautiful and pleasant, but I kind of liked the more subtle, less sweet opening better. The way it develops makes it feel more generic and contemporary/trendy; just done in one of the best possible ways. I was actually reminded of one of my favorite Amouage’s at this stage, which is the Santal Sohar attar. There’s a remnant of fruitiness, or at least some sort of tangy twist left, perhaps just from the incense, which as in almost all recent Amouage releases, has been utilized prominenty again.
Ultimately, this is a stand out for me. Not ground breaking in scent profile, but super comfortable and well-executed.
