AMOUAGE
ROSE AQOR
2021
PERFUMER
Cecile Zarokian
Rose
FRANKINCENSE
Sandalwood
My favorite rose of all time might be Amouage Epic 56. This Rose Aqor is very similar and arguably better…? Probably not when taking money into account (and I didn’t pay anything near retail for my bottle), but it’s a gem.
There’s a gradual scale in the DNA from Epic Woman, to Epic 56, to Rose Aqor; all done by Cecile Zarokian.
Epic Woman is arguably the best from Amouage’s regular Women’s line (followed by Sunshine Woman for me). However, the sort of herbal/aromatic green tinge that colors its first hour(s), is my least favorite part.
Epic 56 goes through that aromatic opening much quicker. It becomes denser, smoother, very oily and the performance is impeccable. Epic 56 has been in my top 10 overall since I bought it and I think it’s the best value proposition of these three.
Rose Aqor differs a bit, but still has a similar, green, sourish tinge to the rose. Almost jammy, syrupy petals. However, this skips the aromatics even quicker, in favor of a warmer scent profile, with a honeyed (frankincense) sandalwood backdrop as it dries. It dives more into the red and golden facets throughout the wear. Similar, but in my opinion better balanced, to the rose-sandalwood in Areej Le Dore Gulab attar. When zoomed in, traces of spiciness come through (cardamom, is that you?).
Of course, in this concentration it’s extremely smooth, oily and soft. It’s long lasting, but subtle, so if you prefer louder, I think Epic 56 offers more. I’m surprised by the performance of that one every time I wear it, but there’s a beauty to the intimacy of Rose Aqor that works equally well.
This was by far my favorite of the attars Amouage launched in 2021 (2023’s Santal Sohar gives it a run for its money). Pricing being the downside; as much as I love this, I would always recommend Epic 56 over it. Unless you run into a good deal and your fingers are itching of course.