Purpose by Amouage

A distinct incense scent with a fresh twist, making it suitable for any season or occasion. It feels mystical and spiritual, leaving me incredibly comfortable. Even though it features incense, I think it’s perfect for younger audiences. It’s like Interlude but tailored for a younger crowd that’s less sensitive to incense. Like many Amouage fragrances, the longevity and projection are spectacular.

If you like incense, there’s plenty here. Incense and resins strong enough to stop four Japanese bullet trains, wow. For me, it’s too much. The other notes are there, but I’m knocked out by the incense. It’s a fantastic perfume, I won’t deny that, and its longevity is nuclear. But if you’re like me and prefer incense in just the right measure and well-blended, this isn’t for you.

You can tell this is a quality fragrance; it lasts and projects a lot. I see it for autumn and winter nights, because of the sheer amount of incense that hits you and keeps hitting you for hours. Either you love it or don’t buy it, because it’s not an easy or pleasant perfume. Don’t buy it blindly. I acknowledge its quality, but it’s not for me.

An interesting and intense fragrance, a bit challenging for those not used to this style. It opens with a squad of incense, black pepper, a base of sweet woods and resins. To me, it’s spectacular; this is the kind of scent that makes a difference compared to typical oud, dark, animalic, or oud-rose combos. This is different, leaning more towards balsamic and leather, thanks to a very worked-up suede that gives it balance and consistency. As it dries down, you notice sandalwood, rose, and saffron, all with a synergy that creates a dark, woody, sweet, and balsamic composition that blows your mind. I confess I’m a fan of the brand and had moved on from their recent compositions, which were good but not exceptional to my taste. Purpose brings back the mystique of the earlier ones after the rebrand and perfumer change. In conclusion, if you like these aromas, it’s more masculine than feminine, suited for cool climates, perhaps spring nights. Great for formal or semi-formal wear, for men over thirty with experience in complex scents. Sillage and projection are moderate for the first two hours, then drop to cling to the skin for ten hours, which is my performance. Highly recommended. Scent: 9.5/10 Sillage: 8.5/10 Longevity: 8.5/10 Projection: 8/10

Amouage Purpose is balsamic, woody, and spicy. It opens with lots of incense and pepper, reminiscent of papyrus. The scent is stable; only the incense gains strength, much like in Loewe 7. It works all year round, for casual or formal occasions, office or parties. It lasted over 12 hours with an insane trail for the first 3 hours, then stayed present. Don’t buy blindly: it’s pricey and not for everyone. Try it first, as Loewe 7 is a similar and good alternative.

I saw it was by Quentin and personally I quite like his perfumes, but when I sprayed it on my wrist, ouch, like opening a chest stored away since 1800 in a cathedral. A massive ecclesiastical incense scent isn’t bad in itself because I like challenging perfumes, but I can’t see an occasion to wear it. Besides, I know perfumes are a matter of taste and are enjoyed, but some occasions are well-deserved for someone to give you a compliment, knowing you’re projecting a beast of a perfume and everyone around you is impressed. But with this one, I guarantee you’ll be asked what you’re wearing in a bad way; people won’t associate it with a perfume scent but with burning incense. Longevity is otherworldly, but very, very hard to be accepted by society, even in the niche world.

Very spicy, dense, and lasts forever. It’s not easy to handle at first, but once you get used to it, it’s addictive. That incense is beastly; three sprays are enough. I think Mystical, the sibling of the acidic labdanum, offers more incense and longevity. Akigalawood is found in Valaya and other scents by Quentin Bisch. For me, it’s challenging, rich, with great longevity and projection, but it hasn’t earned me many compliments.

It smelled amazing on paper, but on my skin it’s terrible—like old caraway and someone without deodorant.

A complete masterpiece. For me, it’s special and genuine. It smells of distinction and nobility. Not everyone can pull it off. I think it looks much better after 40. It’s refreshing to find such an original fragrance among designer scents worn by the youth, which tend to fill places with synthetics. BRAVO AMOUAGE, again. This Purpose is an exquisite treat for refined noses.

Innovative and classy, truly elegant. It gives incense a fresh twist, stripping away the church or incense burner vibe to bring it closer to classic perfumery. It’s not hard to wear; it could easily be a signature scent for a man with character—nothing cowardly. It lasts just enough for the day without bothering you the next morning. I don’t know if others find it appealing, but I keep telling myself how good I smell. After three months, it’s fair to say it might start smelling a bit like an intruder. For me, it’s not overwhelming, but I see it disturbs others more than Interlude did before. It all depends on how people perceive it. To me, it reminded me of Álvarez Gómez, but to others, it felt like a biological weapon.

I have an on-again, off-again relationship with Amouage. Some blow my mind, and others, like ‘Purpose,’ are unbearable. I sprayed a decant and smelled like church incense all night. It’s a canonical incense, damp and closed-off cellar style, with a green cedar touch that makes it poisonous and weird. Horrible, I didn’t like it at all. Plus the price. Others also noted the negative impact. It’s super potent and long-lasting; you have to be bold to wear it. Some might see it as a work of art, but for me, it’s a resounding no.