Ambre Topkapi by Parfums MDCI is an aristocratic, elegant fragrance: refined, and full of character. It’s fresh and soft, yet woody and undeniably present. Created by legendary perfumer Pierre Bourdon—known for icons like YSL’s Kouros, Davidoff’s Cool Water, and Jil Sander for Men—this fragrance stands proudly among his finest works.
Ambre Topkapi opens with a burst of green energy: aromatic lavender, thyme, and coriander make an immediate impression. As it develops, warm hints of cinnamon, green tea, and violet leaf bring complexity and balance. A subtle note of pineapple flickers in the background—unexpected, but perfectly placed.
Inspired by the refined grandeur of Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, the scent walks a fine line between strength and subtlety. It’s crisp, clean, and unmistakably present, without ever becoming overpowering.
This fragrance holds a special place in MDCI’s history. It was the very first scent launched by the house, chosen without alteration from the early trial samples sent by Bourdon. For founder Claude Marchal, it marked the beginning of a brand built on craftsmanship, artistry, and collaboration with the world’s best perfumers.
As MDCI describes it: “The challenge was to capture the layered emotions reflected in the classic bust that crowns the men's flacon—strength, power, wealth, and the tension between beauty and severity.”
Patchouli, Tea, Vanilla, Vetiver, Violet, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Sandalwood, Amber, Thyme, Raspberry, Oakmoss, Jasmine, Ginger, Lavender, Pineapple, Lily-of-the-valley, Rosewood, Musk, Absinthe
Amber
The amber fragrance family contains warm, spicy and often sensual perfume notes. Classic amber fragrances are built around an amber accord, often consisting of patchouli, benzoin, labdanum, vanilla and musk. Also, amber can refer to natural ambergris or synthetic amber, such as Ambrox or Ambroxan.
Ambre Topkapi - eau de parfum
Pierre Bourdon
Pierre Bourdon revolutionized men’s perfumery in the 1980s with Cool Water for Davidoff. He is also the nose behind Kouros for YSL and Jil Sander for Jil Sander, only to name a few. Pierre Bourdon goes by the philosophy that perfumes should be created as works of art. His creations for MDCI and Pozzo di Borgo are a great example for this belief!