Opus XVI Timber

Opus XVI Timber

A towering woody incense composition where bright cypress, juniper and cardamom cut through like fresh timber, before Hojari frankincense, fir balsam and dense woods of palo santo, sandalwood and patchouli form a dry, nuanced column softened only by a restrained Bourbon vanilla.

Scent Development and Character

Opus XVI Timber opens in a blaze of coniferous brightness, with dry cypress, brisk juniper and cardamom sharpened by pink pepper and a dusting of bitter cocoa for a cool, aromatic snap. Within minutes, lavandin and fir balsam rise through curls of Hojari frankincense, weaving resinous smoke into the green, almost camphoraceous woods and adding a luminous, slightly herbal lift. As it settles, the fragrance sinks into a dense, vertical column of woods: creamy palo santo and sandalwood, steady cedarwood and earthy patchouli, rounded by a measured Bourbon vanilla that softens the edges without turning the composition sweet. The overall impression is of towering, sunlit timber and incense-laden air—woody, nuanced and quietly powerful rather than lush or gourmand.

Who It Is For and When to Wear It

Opus XVI Timber wears as a dry, vertical woody incense that begins with assertive projection and gradually folds into a more contained aura, making it suited to cool to mild weather, contemplative indoor settings and polished yet unostentatious evening wear. Its coniferous, resinous profile and restrained sweetness lean slightly masculine in traditional terms, but the composition remains structurally unisex; a few sprays go a long way, and on skin it can feel meditative and grounding rather than overtly luxurious or decorative. Best suited to autumn and winter, when its dry woods and incense feel most comfortable, with enough clarity to also work in cooler spring or temperate summer evenings rather than hot, humid conditions. Sillage is Projection starts out assertive and diffusive, then settles after the first hour into a moderate, steady sillage that creates a perceptible aura without becoming overwhelming. Longevity is On most skin, Opus XVI Timber behaves as a long-lasting Eau de Parfum, often remaining perceptible for eight hours or more, with the woody–resinous base lingering well into the late drydown. These are editorial estimates derived from the official composition and concentration and will vary with skin and climate.

Perfumer and Bottle

Released in 2025, this is presented as Eau de Parfum and credited to Alexis Grugeon. Opus XVI Timber is presented in Amouage’s Library Collection flacon, here in a deep, earthy brown lacquer that suggests aged timber and polished wood grain, topped with the signature magnetic cap and housed in a matching book-like coffret.