Most fragrances are named after a feeling, a place or a flower. Amyris Homme is named after a wood almost no one has heard of, and that is the whole point. When Francis Kurkdjian built this quiet, woody fragrance in 2012, he was showcasing amyris, a sustainable material with a story worth telling, and in doing so created one of the more underrated gems in his house's catalogue.
The wood itself is the hero.
The wood with a Greek name
Amyris is sometimes called West Indies sandalwood, and its name comes from the Greek amyron, meaning intensely fragrant. It is prized as a sustainable alternative to true sandalwood, which has been over-harvested for generations, and that responsible sourcing is very much in keeping with Maison Francis Kurkdjian, the house Francis Kurkdjian founded in 2009 and which has always prided itself on the quality and provenance of its materials. Amyris Homme was Kurkdjian's tribute to this underappreciated wood.
Citrus, iris and creamy wood
It opens fresh and aromatic, Sicilian mandarin and rosemary with a green lift, then moves into the heart, where the amyris wood meets a powdery iris and, surprisingly, soft touches of coffee, coconut and milk chocolate that lend a creamy warmth. A base of tonka bean and a whisper of oud rounds it into something smooth and refined. The amyris-and-iris core sits somewhere between cedar and sandalwood, dry and creamy at once, which gives the fragrance its quiet sophistication.
What it actually smells like
Smooth, creamy wood with a fresh citrus opening and a soft, slightly powdery warmth. It is refined and understated rather than loud, the kind of clean, woody fragrance that works beautifully in an office or under a suit. It is unisex despite the name, leans subtle, and has a polished, expensive feel.
The £295 question
A bottle of Amyris Homme sits around £295 in the UK. For the money you get a beautifully made, understated woody fragrance from a respected house. The catch is the spend, and the fact that, as an elegant lighter-style scent, some wish it lasted longer on skin.
Which is the reason an alternative market exists. People love the creamy, refined wood of Amyris Homme without wanting to pay £295, or to reapply through the day.
Amyris Wood: the 35% interpretation
This is where we come in, and we will be straight about what we are. Our Amyris Wood is Aromara's interpretation of that creamy-wood character, not a counterfeit and not an MFK product. It carries no branding and makes no claim to be the original. It chases the part that matters: the lemon, rosemary and juniper opening, the iris and amyris-wood heart, and the tonka and amber base.
There is a particular reason concentration matters here. The original is a refined, lighter scent that some find modest in longevity. Ours is built at 35% extrait, roughly double a standard eau de parfum, so the wood holds for seven hours or more. And it costs £4.99 for a 5ml to test it properly, against £295. We guarantee the wear time in writing, with 60 days to send it back for a full refund if it does not last.
Our guide to extrait de parfum explains why a refined scent can finally last, and the strongest perfume dupes in the UK shows where our range sits. If you love a creamy, refined wood, the story behind BDK Gris Charnel is a natural next read, and our Grey Silk is another to try.
Frequently asked questions
Who created Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris Homme?
It was created by Francis Kurkdjian and launched in 2012, built around amyris, a sustainable wood sometimes called West Indies sandalwood.
What does Amyris Homme smell like?
A smooth, creamy wood: Sicilian mandarin and rosemary up top, a heart of amyris wood and iris with subtle creamy touches, and a base of tonka bean and a whisper of oud. Refined and understated.
Is Aromara's Amyris Wood the same as MFK?
No. It is an independent composition inspired by the same character, built at 35% extrait for longevity and sold at a fraction of the price. It is not affiliated with Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
Aromara is an independent UK fragrance house. Our fragrances are original compositions inspired by the character of well-known designer scents. We are not affiliated with Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and all trademarks belong to their respective owners. Every Aromara fragrance is made in the UK at 35% extrait concentration, with a 7+ hour longevity guarantee and a 60-day money-back promise.