Amber Australia

Ambergris Cacao was my first gourmand-leaning blend.

Once it ran out, I received a number of inquiries asking whether there would be another composition in that direction. Here it is.

The roots of this blend trace back to a small experimental batch I once sent out as samples, labeled Ambergris Tangerine. I was exploring the pairing of citrus—specifically tangerine—with cacao. That sample sparked a surprising number of messages asking where it had gone, helping me gauge real interest in this style.

But this time, I wanted to steer away from anything centered around that fruity-sweet profile. I was after something more resinous. Around the time of Ambergris Tangerine was out, I received a batch of Assam Dark Oud, carrying just the touch of bitterness I’d been searching for—perfect to contrast and anchor the brightness of tangerine and cacao. To temper that brightness, I introduced Amber: warm, soft, and subtly spicy. Its golden glow hinted at something I’d later come to associate with Boronia.

The blend was left to mature. But when I revisited it, something still felt missing. It needed a gentle gourmand floral with a thread of spice—something only my small reserve of Kashmiri saffron could offer. Once added, filtered, and left to rest again, the blend came alive—ready to unfold in every direction.

Around the same time, I sourced a remarkable Boronia oil from Essentially Australia—about as close as you’ll get to “from farm to bottle.” Greg, the owner, shared that every step—from cultivation to harvest to distillation—is done in-house. No middlemen. No dilution. No question of origin. Boronia’s tangy richness pushed the composition further, inspiring the final additions: Australian Sandalwood, White Rose, and two ouds—Trat and Paracin. This is the backstory of the blend.

I didn’t want to overdo the oud here—I wanted to keep the formula accessible. Boronia, as some of you know, isn’t the kind of flower you can throw in by the handful. And oud—especially the kind I use—isn’t exactly budget-friendly either.