Amouage Unveils New Fragrance, Opus XVI Timber, and Shares Retail Expansion Plans

Omani luxury perfume house Amouage continues its artistic momentum by adding another chapter to its acclaimed Library Collection with Opus XVI Timber, a woody tribute to the profound wisdom found in nature’s most enduring creations.

“Timber opens with a bold, monolithic woody impact, like standing in front of a giant sequoia tree,” explains Renaud Salmon, chief creative officer of Amouage. “But with time, its structure reveals nuance. From the smoky depth of guaiac wood to the resinous clarity of fir balsam and the evergreen crispness of cypress, each layer evokes the lines and textures of aged bark.”

The 25 percent eau de parfum concentration fragrance will be available in Amouage boutiques in Oman and UAE starting Aug. 8, with global distribution beginning Sept. 1, he shared. The 100ml bottle will retail for $380 in the U.S.

This latest addition arrives as Amouage continues an impressive growth trajectory. The house reported 30 percent growth in 2024, with annual retail sales exceeding $260 million — approximately 2.5 times the rate of the global perfumery market.

The success reflects Amouage’s commitment to what Salmon calls a “transparent craftsmanship-driven business model.” Today all Amouage fragrances continue to be formulated, blended, macerated, and bottled by hand at the Muscat manufacturing facility. The brand’s “Exceptional Extraits” collection, a series of high-concentration, intensely crafted perfumes that showcase the brand’s mastery of fragrance and its connection to Omani heritage, grew 116 percent last year and now represents 17 percent of total sales.

Created by perfumer Alexis Grugeon, Opus XVI Timber’s architecture begins with bright, luminous facets of cypress, cardamom and lavandin, creating what Salmon describes as “forward-thinking openness.” Salmon explained it draws inspiration from an unexpected parallel between California’s giant sequoias and Oman’s frankincense trees. “Both are symbols of permanence and wisdom in their respective cultures, surviving millennia while watching over countless changes in their surroundings,” he said.

Continuity and tradition are an important guiding philosophy for the brand rooted in royal heritage. Amouage was founded in 1983 by the previous ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, based on his vision to create a perfume as a gift that represented Oman. “Back at the time, you could not buy an Amouage product. You had to be gifted an Amouage perfume by His Majesty,” explains Salmon from the company’s manufacturing facility in Muscat.

Opus XVI Timber is presented in Amouage’s signature khanjar flacon in cashmere color, with packaging designed by Belgian artist Louise Mertens. The brand’s bottle designs reflects their commitment to Omani cultural symbols — “the dome of the Grand Mosque inspires the women’s bottle, while the khanjar dagger inspires the men’s bottle,” Salmon explains.

Under Salmon’s creative direction, the brand has reduced its product portfolio from over 80 fragrances to a more curated 60 offerings. “We don’t release a fragrance until it’s absolutely perfect,” Salmon explains, embodying the brand’s commitment to artisanal quality over marketing calendars.

Retail spaces are a priority for the brand, with the creative director designing immersive storytelling environments inspired by nature. As the company prepares for continued expansion — including an ambitious plan to open 30 new boutiques over the next three years targeting key markets like Rome, Los Angeles, and South Korea — Timber represents the house’s ongoing commitment to exploring nature through olfactory artistry.