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Post by Sister Mary Magdalen, Patron Saint of Perfumers
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Peace APJ,
Tis the season: for the upward curl of incense, for journeys and visitors from afar, for the exchange of gifts, peak season no vacancies and the occasional unplanned pregnancy. Whatever is going on at your place I hope it’s fragrant. It certainly is here with the sisters. Both a busy and reflective time of year, the cloisters are shrouded from matins to vespers with billowing frankincense. What better to focus my meditations in this holy time than Amouage Library Collection Opus IV.
Amouage Library Collection: Opus IV by Jacques Flori for Amouage 2010
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Coriander, grapefruit, amalfi lemon, mandarin orange
Heart: Cardamom, caraway, elemi, rose, rosehip, violet
Base: Incense, French labdanum, musk
This was unknown to me until a generous benefactor aware of my love of resinous fragrances bestowed a small sample upon me.
Immediately I understood I was no longer in the mystical cool veil of an ecclesiastical resin, this fragrance is an immediate jumble of sweetness, citrus oils and spices, as though the scent of someone’s pre-dinner lime cordial has lingered through until the arrival of pudding. And what a pudding! Laden with cinnamon and clove brandied fruits, boozy sweet and rich. The feasting is most certainly wrapped around by the scent of a piney Tannenbaum.
Photo Stolen Flickr
Then, like a miracle, incense rises. It is a smoky, earthy olibanum as though from the burning of darker, lower grade tears that can give almost a urinous aroma. Wonderful stuff, it gathers strength and becomes the soul of the scent.
The other elements remain and mellow joined by rose and labdanum in becoming the harmonious choir to this soloist, a warm and sonorous tenor.
I am a humble woman of modest good works, and I confess I feel somewhat of an imposter wearing this as it smells like the sweat of a hardworking angel on my skin.
Photo Stolen WikiCommons
Now I read that the aim of the Library Collection is to “defy categorisation, transcend gender, and allow the wearer to create their own unique narrative”. Oh, that’s just what happened, isn’t it?
Opus IV pulsed off my skin for half the day and received several favourable comments, so the sillage is admirable. Some may find it too intimate or distracting for professional settings, but I found it easy and comfortable to wear.
Photo Stolen GTArcade (Problem using image please get in touch)
Further reading: Perfume Shrine and The Non Blonde
LuckyScent has $355/100ml
Surrender To chance has samples starting at $4/.5ml
Pray tell, ye faithful, what books have you taken from the Amouage Library? Is there more I should know?
My fond prayer is that you have all rested well and can greet this new year refreshed and reinspired.
Sister Mary Magdalen, Patron Saint of Perfumers
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Sister,
I have sinned! I have committed the deadly sin of greed (and pride, perhaps). I do not own all of the Opus collection in a literal sense, however I was kindly given a coffret of the collection from I to VI from the man up top; I also have number VI in sample form! My absolute favourite is VI, with III next.
As always, your writing is such a pleasure to read – a mix of descriptivism with a bit of naughty and sinful fun!
Bless you.
Liam
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I have sinned again! I meant to write I have VII in sample form!
Forgive me, for I have sinned.
Liam
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My dear Liam, there is most certainly no sin in a gift from one talented young man to another. A sin it would surely be to waste such beauty and I feel sure that will not happen.
I do know III and enjoy very much the surprising sweet confection of it, and VI I understand is an amber? I must hasten to sample – amber is so often comfortable and delightful.
Many thanks for your kind comments.
Blessings upon you child,
Sister Mary
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Hey there Sister,
As always your writing is so readable and engaging, you make Opus IV sound positively delicious.
Nice work. I find the Library series a bit over my head to be honest. One day I will spend some serious time in their company.
Portia x
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Mother Superior, your praise is too kind.
Like you I have been awed by this Library series, unsure if I could get my hand around those large curved bottles, let alone wrap my head around the compositions. But spending some time in prayerful adoration has as ever been rewarding. Perhaps you will enjoy this Opus IV?
Sister Mary
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You tempt me utterly Sister. I will seek out some IV juice at my earliest convenience.
Portia xx
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From a brief glance at the notes, I never would have guessed at the journey contained within. What a fabulous read! I’m so intrigued 🙂
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Erica, Of course Amouage are known for running a very long suit in frankincense, and despite having a lot else in play, it is at heart a blissful hymn to the holy resin. If you seek it I do pray that you enjoy.
Bless,
Sister Mary
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Dear Sister,
I have not tried any of the Library series, although I am a fan of other Amouage frags, with Lyric Woman being my current go-to. Your description of Opus IV is so compelling that I am writing to my fave parfumerie today for a sample! I pray that your kind prayers for all of us will be answered abundantly!
Warm aloha,
Fifi
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Fifi, I thank you for your greeting that I must guess comes from tropical paradise? You are blessed.
Lyric is a wonder, I have worn it enjoying the richness and complexity of the fragrance when suddenly a simple holographic rose will command my attention.
I shall be interested to hear what you make of Opus IV.
Yours in faith,
Sister Mary
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I loved the line “it smells like the sweat of a hardworking angel on my skin.” That alone makes me want to try it. I have not had good luck with Amouage. I haven’t tried the Library Series however, and several of them sound intriguing. I guess I may need to try a few of them after all. Thanks for the review!
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Kandice I must say the effect of a scent blooming beautiful and intimate yet not of myself, was unsettling and very pleasing.
Pray tell us if you do try this or another Library scent, I am curious to know if others will share this perception.
Bless,
Sister Mary
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Salutations Sister. I have not spend time with many of these, although I had planned to.
I tried Opus VIII when it was newly available and it was a death-by-jasmine experience. Really quite unpleasant. Amouages are strange though. You think you can´t stand it and then it creeps up on you. I have not tried it again though and don’t plan to in the near future. With the exception of Opus III. Violet, mimosa, creamy caramel, I love this. Not enough to buy a bottle, but I have about 20 mls of it which is enough. Any chance of making Reverend Mother this year?
Hugs. xxxx
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How divine to see you CQ, you are blessed amongst treat-makers.
I wonder if I can still find VIII to sniff, an overload of jasmine is something I might quite enjoy.
You are right, the III smells almost edible, reminds me of the violet buttercream cupcakes I have made as a treat for the Sisters on feast days.
We have a very capable Reverend Mother here for whom I pray long life and continued lack of curiosity regarding my fragrant adventures. For myself I harbour no ambition other than to continue with modest good works as long as the Lord allows.
As ever you are in my prayers,
Sister Mary
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I haven’t tried this one but now I want to. I have tried VIII which I quite liked. When I was in NY I was coaxed into trying VII which almost everyone there said smelled like panther pee but my skin seemed to tame the beast. It was actually not bad on me but I could imagine it being a love it or hate it scent.
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Funny isn’t it Poodle how people will coax you to try things in the oddest of ways: “Come on, it smells like panther pee” is not entirely enticing!
I am impressed that your skin tamed VII, for me there was something rather *ahem* assertive about it.
Now I really do hope I can find VIII to try. I have a feeling there is a tester nearby.
Bless,
Sister Mary
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Hello Sister, thank you for a wonderful review! I don’t know the Library Collection very well, having only given VII a run through, and it’s a stunner on my skin, just love it. IV had been recommended, so I’ll seek it out further next time I’m in arms reach of the range.
xx Tina
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Lovely to see you Tina G, and please do let me know what you make of Opus IV, I’ll be keen to hear your impressions. I know you appreciate a good frankincense and I think this one is, if also unusual.
Sister Mary
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