Amouage has just released information on its new annual duo, which will be called Journey and which will come in the usual Men and Women‘s pairing. I have received samples of both, thanks to the kindness of Amouage’s Creative Director, Christopher Chong, so you can expect reviews as soon as I’ve tested the fragrances properly.
[UPDATE 5/8/14 — my reviews for both fragrances are now posted: Journey Man and Journey Woman.]
Journey Duo. Source: Amouage Facebook.
In the meantime, here is the information released by Amouage on its Facebook page this morning concerning each fragrance and its notes:
JOURNEY WOMAN:
Floral, Fruity, Leather
Top: Apricot, Jasmine Tea, Osmanthus, Nutmeg, Cardamom
Heart: Jasmine Sambac, Mimosa, Honey, Cedarwood
Base: Pipe Tobacco, Saffron, Vanilla, Cypriol, Musk
JOURNEY MAN:
Woody Spicy
Top: Sichuan Pepper, Bergamot, Cardamom, Neroli Bigarade
Heart: Juniper Berries, Incense, Pure Geraniol, Tobacco Leaves
Base: Tonka Beans, Cypriol, Leather, Ambrox
On Twitter, Mr. Chong posted a photo of a magazine article in which he talked very briefly about the new releases.
If you look very closely at the text at the very bottom, he says:
I’m drawing on my Chinese heritage and culture — I’m really inspired by the underground society of Shanghai in the 1920s. I’ve set myself the challenge to create the type of osmanthus that people haven’t smelt before, blended with white florals, vanilla, and leather.
I think that description applies to Journey Woman, as the men’s version doesn’t contain osmanthus.
As a side note, and if you’ll forgive the tangent, I found Mr. Chong’s interview with Glass magazine to be extremely interesting with regard to a very different matter. If you look closely, you’ll see that he talks about changes in perfume culture in Hong Kong and how the typical stereotype image of Asians disliking strong perfumery is untrue in his (recent) experience. I tried to find the full article online to share with you, but failed. So, if you’ll forgive the brief digression away from the new Journey perfumes, this is the text of one portion of his interview, as best as I can make it out from the photo:
It’s a myth that women in Asia want delicate scents. When I was over there, I presented them with some light, citrus options. They said, “that’s nice.” Then I presented them with the stronger ones, and they were transfixed, as if they had been transported to a different world. Chinese people are realistic — if they’re going to spend a lot of money on a perfume, they want something that is going to last. And ours do last.
Returning to the subject of Journey, according to Mr. Chong, the perfumers who worked under his direction were Alberto Morillas and Pierre Negrin. I didn’t ask if both gentlemen worked on each fragrance, because, frankly, I’ve really pestered Mr. Chong enough with questions, he’s been incredibly patient with me, and I hate feeling like a nuisance.
He did say, however, that Journey will be released in most countries in June. If I learn any additional details, I will update this post.
