FRAGRANCE | Peruvian Ambrette EDT by Ermenegildo Zegna:

halfwhiteboy - Ermenegildo Zegna Peruvian Ambrette EDT

As with all other fragrances from the Ermenegildo Zegna Essenze line, the name of this one is clear about what to expect of its main scent profile: Peruvian Ambrette. The problem is, what in the world is this ambrette from Peru? A quick search, however, points to a type of plant whose seeds produce a musky scent.

Musky indeed this fragrance is, albeit clean. There's nary a tinge of animalic funk, far from the likes of Areej Le Doré Civet de Nuit or even the powdery pleasant Kiehl's Original Musk. It's just different, with a spiced, woody character that gives off a masculine-forward vibe. 

The opening is marked by a piercing sourness, dominating the scent for a few short minutes and then evaporates. As the spiced, woody, clean musk is revealed, a certain bitterness develops. The scent is also laced with a plasticky accord around the edges, likely from something like iris or violet, that only grows stronger over time. 

The scent doesn't progress any further although I'm okay with how it is. It's office-safe and can be worn even on warm days. Both projection and longevity are on the moderate side, so I resort to resprays to get me through the day, more so when it's cold. After some time, it needs a little heat for the scent to jump off from your skin. This, of course, can be a letdown considering the price. Overall, Peruvian Ambrette is just okay. 

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