AMOUAGE
SEQUENCE
2025
PERFUMER
Julien Rasquinet
lychee
raspberry
saffron
osmanthus
rose
tonka bean
leather
oud
amber woods
‘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. Time moves in cycles, and the circle embodies the sublime return of all things. Lush lychee and raspberry capture the sweetness of life, while saffron adds a red touch. In the heart, osmanthus and rose bloom anew, their richness deepened by tonka bean. The base is a profound embrace of leather, oud, and ambery woods, evoking the endless passage of time, where endings are merely beginnings.’ – Amouage
Part of The Essences Act II (consisting of Line 618, Remain & Sequence). After 6 of these (including Act I: Lustre, Reasons & Outlands), I think I can say that I generally like this line, with some standouts, but also that the barrel aging with sandalwood chips, as beautiful as it looks, doesn’t make for a significantly different or elevated end-result, at least not in all of them. In fact, I prefer the overall feeling of the Exceptional Extraits.
Sequence is one of the more complex Amouages in a while to my nose, but not as refined as I’d ideally see. And it’s hard to say how I feel about it, as the scent goes through some phases and depending on what I put the emphasis on, I like it more or less. Overall, it’s a thumbs up, but it may be one that needs to grow on me more.
The opening especially, was not really what I would hope for in an Amouage. Very clear cues taken from popular ‘fruity-ouds’ such as Maison Crivelli Oud Maracuja, with the same harsh intensity. I do really like the execution here, with a slightly softer, but still acidic fruit (however not as acidic as Provenzano Guanabana, nor as prominent and lasting fruitiness as Pernoire Oudian). From Amouage’s own stable, the closest connection is King Blue.
Underneath that fruit, you get an earthy, cypriol-esque oudy base that’s on the harsh side initially. But here is where Sequence starts to change.
The scent profile balances between Oud Maracuja and a raspberry-leather scent, with the leather becoming more and more prominent. I also get a citrussy rose quite prominently when smelling my skin up close. And it’s a good take on a sweet woody leathery with some fruity hints. In particular because it does get a more creamy, smooth texture over time; almost mushroomy. I think this is where comparisons to Rasquinet’s other work, Frederic Malle The Moon, arise. And it’s not hard to see the connection. Although I feel that Sequence is a tad less classy and more in the shouty ‘Crivelli extrait’ genre. I also think it ends up more in a common leather direction than any of the aforementioned comparisons.
Overall, a stellar fragrance, albeit one that I don’t love equally from start to finish and as a whole, it feels like it’s a bit too much. Amouage has been targetting this bold direction quite a bit and while I like it at times, I wouldn’t mind seeing more refined, subtle releases next.
