Ambre Narguile

Ambre Narguile, inspired by Hermès Ambre Narguilé (2004)

Hermès lists only two notes for Ambre Narguilé, perfumer's amber and roasted sesame seeds, and the composition is built tightly around that pairing. The amber is resinous and honeyed, while the sesame adds a toasted, nutty grain that keeps the sweetness from going flat. Early on it can read almost like baked fruit dusted with spice. Later it calms into a smooth amber with a faint tobacco-like shade.

About the original

Jean-Claude Ellena created Ambre Narguilé in 2004 as one of the first four Hermessence fragrances. Its theme is the smoke of a narguilé, or hookah, perfumed with fruit, honey and spices. Hermès states that it suits both men and women, and still sells it in the lacquered Hermessence bottle with a refill.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Hermès stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Its natural setting is cold weather, when honey and resin feel comforting rather than heavy. Sweetness is its defining trait, so lovers of dry or smoky ambers may find it too close to dessert.

Related scents

• Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan
• Hermes Vanille Galante Hermessence

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Notes: Perfumer's Amber, Roasted Sesame Seeds

The opening is spiced and syrupy. One detailed review picks out impressions of cinnamon, apple pie and rum-soaked raisins, although Hermès itself names only amber and sesame.

Roasted sesame comes forward as it settles, adding an almost savoury, toasted facet beneath the honeyed amber.

The drydown is smooth amber with a slight tobacco-like quality and enough resin to hold the sugar in check.

Is Ambre Narguilé a men's or women's fragrance?

Hermès says it suits both men and women. Our store files it with women's scents, but the original is sold as unisex.

Does it actually smell of smoke?

Not in an ashy way. The hookah idea comes through as sweet, fruited and spiced amber, with a tobacco-like shade later on, rather than as burnt wood.

What does roasted sesame add?

A toasted, nutty facet under the honeyed amber, which keeps the scent from smelling purely sugary.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Hermès and Ambre Narguilé are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Hermès in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.