Amouage: where to start? 7 perfumes to discover the house

Amouage is the house people talk about in hushed tones in niche boutiques. Rich perfumes, built in layers, often with incense somewhere in the formula. So when you're starting out, it's hard to know which bottle to reach for first. And since these aren't impulse buys, you might as well get it right.

Here are seven Amouage perfumes from our catalogue, from the brightest to the most intense. The notes we mention are the ones on our product pages, nothing more.

The easiest to wear: Reflection Man

Released in 2007, Reflection Man opens on rosemary, pink pepper and petitgrain. The heart is floral, with neroli, jasmine and iris. The base brings sandalwood, cedar, vetiver and patchouli. It's clean and elegant, and works at the office as well as at night. If you want a safe first Amouage, this is it. See Reflection Man.

The amber classic: Interlude Man

Interlude Man (2010) starts on oregano, pimento and bergamot. In the heart, amber, frankincense, opoponax and labdanum. At the base, leather, oud, sandalwood and patchouli. It's dense, smoky and resinous: the kind of perfume people notice in a room. For winter, and for the days you feel like taking up some space. See Interlude Man.

The fruity resin: Jubilation XXV

Jubilation XXV (2007) opens on orange, coriander, blackberry, davana and tarragon. The heart blends frankincense, rose, honey and orchid. The base runs deep: myrrh, oud, patchouli, labdanum, musk and ambergris. The fruit up top makes the incense feel welcoming. A great bridge between easy-going perfumes and the darker Amouages. See Jubilation XXV.

The white flowers: Honour Woman

Honour Woman (2011) begins on pepper, rhubarb leaf and coriander. In the heart, a white bouquet: jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, lily of the valley and carnation. At the base, vetiver, frankincense, amber, opoponax and leather. The flowers are bright and the base anchors them. For you if you love big florals with character. See Honour Woman.

Rose and incense: Opus XII Rose Incense

The name says it all. Opus XII Rose Incense opens on elemi, frankincense and a black ink accord. The heart pairs Damask rose with more frankincense and Suederal. The base brings myrrh, vanilla, cedar and sandalwood. A dark, smoky rose, softened by vanilla at the end. See Opus XII Rose Incense.

The woody citrus: Search

Search is the Amouage for sunny days. It opens on lemon, lime and mandarin, moves through Hojari frankincense, black pepper and elemi, then finishes on cade, vetiver and guaiac wood. Fresh at first, smoky and woody later. Ideal if you want incense, but in a lighter version. See Search.

The powdery gourmand: Lilac Love

Lilac Love starts on a lilac accord, heliotrope, peony and gardenia. In the heart, iris, cocoa bean and tonka bean. At the base, sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla. A soft, gourmand floral, with no incense on our page. A good way in if you're after a tender Amouage. See Lilac Love.

How to choose your first Amouage

• You want an all-rounder: Reflection Man.
• You love amber and smoke: Interlude Man.
• You want incense with fruit: Jubilation XXV.
• You love white flowers: Honour Woman.
• You love a dark rose: Opus XII Rose Incense.
• You want freshness: Search.
• You prefer softness: Lilac Love.

Take your time testing on skin: Amouage perfumes change a lot between the first minute and the end of the day. On every product page you can see the shops that sell the perfume, compare offers and set a price alert to hear when it drops.