Amouage Opus XII – Rose Incense

The Bottle

Opus XII – Rose Incense takes the later Library Collection style in a softer direction. Its pale blush-beige rectangular body contrasts with a dark grey-black flared cap, while a narrow gold-coloured collar gives the join a little warmth. The dark central emblem adds a clean focal point without crowding the front. I prefer this balance to some of Amouage’s louder treatments: it feels composed, slightly sombre and quietly distinctive. The body is calm and conventional, so the broad cap supplies almost all of the bottle’s personality.

Original or Clone

The credited perfumer, Bruno Jovanovic, gives this release a clear point of authorship that an interpretation cannot carry over. Its amber, rose and woody accords help explain why the fragrance has attracted attempts to reproduce it. Four interpretations from three houses are tracked here, a modest but meaningful sign of its standing. We find the original worth buying for readers who want Jovanovic’s authored work, though an interpretation remains a reasonable choice.