Essence Wenge

I recently bought a bottle of this, unsniffed. As I read that it was very much like Black Cashmere by Donna Karan, only softer. Now I had written a review about Black Cashmere a while ago in which I stated that I liked it, but its not for me...as I felt that the woodsy notes were very dominating and there was missing something in my opinion... I am more and more loving woodsy scents lately, so I tried the BC again on my wrist, and I really liked it.But again I felt there was missing a note...which I found in DK Essence Wenge. I totally agree that this reminds very much of BC,in fact, I believe its a little sister of BC. Its for me very much easier to wear. There is indeed something that makes it softer and a tiny bit sweet...maybe a small amount of vanilla...Woods, incense and spices are the main characters in this adventure. I did layer it with 2 different perfumes,both from YR. Tendre Jasmin and Orchidee. It gave them both a boost, TJ smellt more seductive and it gave Orchidee a more adventurous touch. Wearing it on its own is nice too, but only limited to colder weather. I must say the scent lingers for a very long time but close to the skin. I am very happy with this scent as with this I can still enjoy the nice smell of BC but in a much softer way. I am so much willing to try the Labdanum version of Essence... Overall a beautiful composition in an exclusive packaging!

This is so soft and warm, but confident rather than shy. I can imagine it as unisex, but when I wear it, I feel very feminine. It makes me feel rather like the stereotype of the sexy librarian - intelligent and strong, but lets her hair down when it's appropriate. This quality makes me feel able to wear it in almost any situation - a meeting at the kids' school, date night with the husband, or just for myself. It is sweet but not in a fruity or sugary way. Not remotely floral, either. It is warm soft woods and bits of vanilla and clove, to me. I've been searching for a fragrance like this for a long time, on the feminine side of unisex, and just...warm.

One of the most sensual fragrances I found. Very deep and relaxing. It is not screaming at all, nothing loud or overwhelming. Just simplicity and relax. I really enjoy this masterpiece. To my mind comes nice moments when I’m happy and I feel safe. The wood is warm here, extremely cozy, same as in Bois Blond by Parfumerie Generale. In my opinion Wenge for most people can be recognize as fall or winter fragrance, but I think it will work during the summer as well, especially during romantic evenings. When I’m sniffing Wenge the first what I want to do is to go to silent warm place and enjoy my book reading or listening to a beautiful cozy music.

One of my favourite frags! DK Wenge is that warm woody just-a-tad-sweet gourmand note found in Black Cashmere and it is just beautiful on it's own. If you're looking for a non-vanilla gourmand this is a great fragrance and is perfect for Fall/Winter. Dark, warm and very much a womans scent - I picked it out for evening or for days when I wear black cashmere sweaters to the office.

This is really pretty but definitely could be worn by a guy. I don't think it smells similar to Black Cashmere, yet has the same cosy vibe. The downside is that it hardly lasts at all (under 1 hr) and has pretty much no sillage after the initial spray. Maybe only good as a bedtime scent. Discontinued and very hard to find, so I wouldn't bother unless you see one dirt cheap.

The opening is by far my favorite part. Pure eggnog. I wish I could find a fragrance that stayed that way the whole time. It mellows out to a smooth, sweet, smoky, spicy scent. I really like it. Even my dog likes it -- she licks it off my wrists every time I wear it. I hope to find a bottle for decent price. I can't wait to try it out in colder weather.

found it by chance and for 70%off than the original price.identical to black cashmere.love it !sadly it has been discontinued too.exceptional woody scent!

This fragrance ticks all below vanilla woody powdery soft spicy balmy sweet the minute I got this and had my first sniff I knew I had smelled a similar scent and one I had to find from my collection and it didnt take long for me to figure out-Baldessarini's Strictly Private for men.some reviewers see that as a unisex smell so on that basis I will think this can be worn by men. This is linear,long lasting but unfortunately if oversprayed,can be unappealing.very ideal for cold nites or days.I am not wowed as I see it as not unique and am not fond of it.will gladly swap or sell but it's a good scent and will be great on a woman I will agree with those who think this will be more appealing if layered with the right scent for a desired effect.dont think I will be reaching for this again to do that experiment.

Opening of amber and clove, dry and dusty, with a hint of orange. Clean woody incense dry down, and about that dry down: this perfume lasted less than an hour on my skin. It was very pretty but went so quickly I could imagine it lifting off of my wrist in sweet little vaporous waves, catching in the air like mist, gone before you have a chance to see it clearly. Even on fabric, so short-lived it's more a comment than a story.

I am currently testing this perfum from a sample. It is a simple, linear scent, nevertheless very beautiful. On my skin on top of woodsy notes, there is some vanilla nad dark chocolate, too. It is very comfortable, zen scent that makes you relax, lay back and enjoy its simplicity. Perfect for cold season to give comfort and wrap you in its subtle warmth, like cashmere.

From what I can tell, Essence Wenge is the big favourite from this series. I can certainly see why. This is a lovely interpretation of wenge, an African wood. It comes across as a beautiful, soft and creamy blend of sandalwood, spices and soothing vanilla. I do believe that the whole series is intended to be unisex, so I'm a little unsure as to why it is listed as a feminine scent here. This fragrance reminded me of Woodhue by Ava Luxe in some ways. They are both delicate woody scents with a subtle, sweet creaminess and a hint of smoke. Some people vehemently state that Essence Wenge is very much like a softer Black Cashmere, however I find this fragrance less dark and more vanillary. I have also heard people likening this fragrance to being gourmand, mostly vanilla and hot chocolate. I get dusty woods, a hint of smoky incense and the slightest touch of vanilla. As strange as it may sound, Essence Wenge, for me, is a refreshing woodsy scent. The lasting power is fairly good and the same could be said for the sillage. I haven't had the chance to layer this fragrance with anything as of yet, but I am eager to.

Enticing. This smells almost exactly like Black Cashmere. I recieved a small sample from a generous swapper and sprayed it immediatley, only because I had never heard of it "Wenge". I thought, "oh she must've meant black cashmere". It is a tad more creamy and feminine then Black Cashmere, I get more amber and incense then dry spices. It is so comforting and warm. I like it alot. Where Black Cashmere is an Arabian Nights fragrance, this one is more of a City Gal on the prowl. Great for cold city nights and of course, snuggling.

Wenge opens like eggnog as others have mentioned, but the boozy vanillic nutmeg quickly gives way to a slightly salty and smooth balmy dark wood. This is a very dry and airy scent slightly sweet wood scent. Meditative and subtle. Maybe like a highly polished antique ebony wood that you can only smell when you put your nose close. Dries down into a natural and very expensive wood scent. Unusual but definitely wearable and welcoming. Thanks to Vie Cafe for the chance to try this dark and spicy, understated beauty.

I agree with missk, this reminds one of an Ava Luxe wood (she does woods so beautifully.) I get No. 23 without the florals. This is comforting and lovely on it's own. I imagine wearing on a day when I am in the mood to feel clean and relaxed. I could also get into layering with some heavy florals to lighten them up (Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia comes to mind) or a wonderful simple vanilla like L'Aromarine Vanille to make an interesting cosy combo. Simply lovely and FB worthy!

If you don't like sandalwood, steer clear. Warm vanilla and of course Wenge, which is a form of Sandalwood, I understand, in a dark powerful scent. Since there are a few sandalwoods I can't bear, I had to scrub this one in the end, as the wood notes crawl up my nose and hurt. If you like Chaos or DKs other woody vanillas, you might light this a lot. But sandalwood haters, steer clear!

Wenge is lovely, enticing, beautiful - and just as discontinued as Black Cashmere, its twin sister. They are both of the delectable, (think Morticia Addams)sinister frankincense variety, mysterious and alluring. And worlds away from any variety of the Be Delicious, which to my mind lack personality. Bring back the mystery, Donna Karan, please!