Byzantine Amber

Byzantine Amber is exactly what its name suggests: a resinous amber from Francesca Bianchi, who composed it for her own house in 2023. Everyone who describes it calls it amber; most add resinous, and about a third find spice, floral, leather or citrus in it as well.

The notes are given as one list. Bergamot provides a brief citrus lift at the start, and geranium a green, rosy sharpness that keeps the early stages from being too heavy. Cinnamon adds warm spice. The heart of the matter is the resin trio of labdanum, benzoin and styrax, which together smell sweet, balsamic and slightly smoky, with incense adding a dry, churchy haze. Leather gives it a darker, animalic edge, and ambergris leaves a salty, skin-like warmth at the end.

Worn by anyone, Byzantine Amber is a cold-weather fragrance by nature, dense and enveloping, suited to evenings and to people who like their ambers dark and resinous rather than vanilla-sweet.

Byzantine Amber — unisex fragrance by Francesca Bianchi (released 2023). Notes: Ambergris, Benzoin, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Geranium, Incense, Labdanum, Leather, Styrax. — Parfica open fragrance database