Lavs

Reader, dear perfume enthusiast, stop! This work is an olfactory masterpiece that has no equal! Forget all the incenses you've smelled so far: Cardinal, Avignon, Full Incense, Bois d'Encens, etc. You only need Lavs! Why? I'll tell you why! After decades of wearing, testing and studying over 2500 perfumes and the world of perfumery in general, I still consider that I have a minimum expertise that certifies that what I present to you is solid information! I am a great enthusiast of resins, I have tested almost every resin that exists on this globe, both in its natural state and in its processed and implicitly perfumed state. I am familiar with all types of conifers and woods that exist on European territory, and I understand dentrology very well. What Sorcinelli has managed to do, together with his collaborator Carlo Ribero, is to create the most original incense that also has a special complexity. I have tested perhaps hundreds of eminently resinous creations, I perhaps love the resinous-balsamic genre the most. But such a complexity and such a perfect execution, I have rarely seen. Lavs deviates from the cliché that has already become, detached from what we know to be Avignon, Cardinal, Full Incense. Those are superb creations, nothing to reproach, but they have a linearity and reduced complexity. Lavs manages to cross this barrier, not only through the material qualities it has and the raw material of the best quality, but also through vision and nuances. Lavs not only transports you to a Gothic Catholic church from the early Middle Ages, but also takes you through absolutely all the decades that have passed since then, finding yourself in an absolute present. The resins chosen by Sorcinelli are multiple: Elemi, with its citrus, slightly spicy, balsamic and coniferic character; Olibanum - with its eminently coniferous, balsamic, peppery-cistrusy and slightly animalic character; Sweet myrrh or opoponax - with its balsamic, sweet-honeyed, sticky and animalic character; Labdanum - with its multifaceted balsamic, animalic and slightly fruity character; All of these open up multiple facets to you; from the incense burned and impregnated in the walls of old churches, to the freshly picked incense, from the old and varnished furniture, to the old iron of religious objects in churches! Here I also point out the unparalleled liturgical character. You will certainly find both the Orthodox and Catholic liturgical character. Smoked just right, slightly metallic and extremely balsamic, coniferous as in a coniferous forest, slightly animalic from an ambergris and labdanum base. Never too strong, but perfectly present, Lavs surprises you in waves and waves, in bursts and bursts and activates again when you thought it had already faded from the skin. For those who want more performance, you can't get a better performance than if you overdose the formula with maximum concentrations of Ambroxan, Ambermax, ISO E Super and other extremely diffusive fixatives. Which would unbalance the formula and turn the perfume into a dissonant one! So, look no further! Lavs is the incense of incenses and the resin of resins! Remarkable technical qualities, very good performance, as I was telling you, but intimate at the same time and always present. You have to love resins and this perfume won't wear you, you will wear it!

Disclaimer: The following review refers to the original Lavs with black / gold bottle (launched in 2015) as opposed to the plain black bottle re-launched in 2016, Formerly a room spray used to scent the ecclesiastic garments that Sorcinelli's atelier L.A.V.S tailored for both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis amongst several others. Now re-worked into an *extrait de parfum*, LAVS is hands down the definitive catholic liturgical incense. Forget Avignon, Cardinal, La Liturgie Des Heures and all the other similarly themed fragrances. Forget also the more *oriental* takes on the main theme such as Bois D'Encens, Sahara Noir and the plethora of others, LAVS is completely on another level. It's the opulence of a mass in the Basilica Papale, it's the whole ritual, the majesty of gold the smell of sacristy, the canonicals. It's white smoke and resins galore, it's deep and dark but never brooding or funereal...instead it's introspective, meditative and comforting. It's not a secret I'm a frankincense freak but, honestly, LAVS is a concrete step forward in its genre and a very substantial one for countless reasons. For starters, it's tremendously striking for its incredible evocative power. Its uniqueness, its ability to get so close to the main theme while skipping being too simplistically literal and, last but not least, the quality of the ingredients involved. Boatloads of resins that range from elemi to frankincense via labdanum, myrrh and opoponax concocted around what's one of the best woody bases I've experienced since Bois D'Ascese. Cloves enhances a certain medicinal vibe before settling down and give birth to a clean undertone that gets more and more remarkable as the fragrance evolves into an endless, pure-incense driven drydown which also relies on the most solid woody-ambery (as opposed to *woodyamber*) foundation I've smelt in a while. Forget the usual cedarwood, forget the typical mono-dimensionality of most incense-soliflores, forget those exhausting woodyambers. LAVS is incredibly alive, vibrating and vivid as only this biblical resin can get. Addictive, introspective, dark and deep as well as spacious, airy and yes, even epic. Saying this fragrance is compelling would honestly be reductive. My personal standout in this line and something I'll never want to be without. An instant classic. Rating: 9.5/10

Got a decant from a dear perfume pal, and I am so grateful that she introduced me to this indulgent incense fragrance. At first I get a ton of bright, sharp elemi (which is not frankincense, but it’s in the same family) combined with woods and aromatic dried coriander. Almost seems pine-y in a way because it has a green-ness about it. An elemi dream, for those who love the resin like I do. As it dries down I get some of the spice--cardamom and clove, but its beautifully blended. I also start to pick up some jasmine, but the fragrance remains dominated by balsams. The base is smoother, muskier, less intense elemi. Lavs makes me feel like I'm in an ancient church. Not a Catholic one. I grew up Catholic, and this does not smell like frankincense. Elemi smells quite different--greener and more sharp. I'm not sure what other religion this could be part of, but it just smells really ancient yet also deeply connected to nature. Had to buy it. Update 1.5 years later: I had not used my actual bottle until today, as I was slowly using up my decant. I sprayed from my brand-new full bottle for the first time, and I am so sad that it smells a bit different from the decant, probably due to the alcohol evaporating and condensing the contents of the decant. From the bottle, the scent is softer and more diffusive or not as potent. With my decant, one spray is enough. I sprayed about 5 times with my full bottle, and it's still not as potent as my decant. I am not getting as much spice as I did with the decant, and it smells quite literally like varnish. I didn't get varnish with my decant, it smelled more like my bottle of Elemi essential oil. But with it much lighter, it smells less like pure elemi (which is what I loved about it) and more like varnish. That is the only way it reminds me of church--it smells like the varnished pews, but still not like frankincense that is burnt in a censor. We will see what happens over time, but for now I don't love it the way I do my decant, which I am grateful I have not entirely used up!

I grew up Catholic and went to many churches, and this is not an abstract take on the Catholic Church scent- it's a photorealistic portrait. Quiet, cold, mostly empty space filled with the ceremonial incense. After a few minutes it develops some warmth coming from the pepper and spices, like candles being lit up by the altar. The rosewood is there too, and it also has a deeply Catholic meaning to me- my grandma had a rosewood rosary blessed by John Paul II since I was a kid, and she gifted it to me a few years ago. It's a very meaningful fragrance to me. I think it's my favourite true incense fragrance. Even though it's slightly masculine leaning it doesn't have the burnt wood smell which other strong incense fragrances have, and which makes a perfume unwearable for me. Maybe it's the resins but there is something almost citrusy about it too. I'm not sure how many occasions Lavs is suitable for, but it's definitely not unwearable, as it's simply beautiful. If you love gothic aesthetics, old churches or history, especially medieval history, you will find it magical. If you have religious trauma, you prefer contemporary aesthetic or if you're a "clean girl" (and whatever the male equivalent of that is) you might hate it.

The note list must be wrong! "Lavs" to my nose is 100% frankincense. Sharp, piney, lemony, herbal, sweet, smoky frankincense. I don't smell much oppoponax here. Perhaps in the dry down, when the sweetness really takes over, it could be perceived as such, but to me it smells more like dill, not the honeyed molasses tones which I would associate with oppoponax oil. However, palisander does have a dill-like quality to me, so perhaps this would explain it? I don't get prominent labdanum either, a note which I am normally very sensitive too. It doesn't have that tangy medicinal quality (thank god). As for jasmine, I can't pick up on anything remotely floral, at any stage. Regardless, I have to say that along with "Sahara Noir" this is probably the purest church incense I've ever experienced. It has an invigorating freshness, but unlike "Avignon" or "Cardinal", it doesn't have that transparent and synthetic 'laundry' type vibe. It feels so natural, as if you crushed the resin into powder and clapped it into the air. Who knows? Maybe the notes are correct and I've been fooled by amazing blending, but one thing is for sure, if frankincense is what you seek, you can stop here.

Lavs by Filippo Sorcinelli is a striking and evocative fragrance that begins with an unexpectedly sharp, almost gasoline and rubber mixed with raw leather-like astringency. This opening is bold and jarring, setting the stage for a scent that refuses to be ordinary. The sharpness quickly gives way to the smoky richness of frankincense and myrrh, evoking the sacred and mysterious atmosphere of a cathedral steeped in ritual. As it evolves, Lavs reveals a softer, more introspective side. The resinous heart is balanced by a balsamic warmth and subtle woody undertones, creating a harmonious interplay between sharpness and smoothness. A very faint soapy cleanliness weaves through the composition, hinting at purity without diminishing its raw, sacred intensity. In the drydown, the fragrance becomes warm and enveloping, with the resins and woods blending seamlessly into a quiet, meditative softness. Lavs is a fragrance that challenges and transforms, perfect for those who appreciate complexity and are drawn to scents with a spiritual or conceptual edge. It’s an olfactory journey—sharp, smoky, and sacred all at once.

I have been collecting fragrances for about seven years. This is one of the highest quality fragrances I have tried on. You can really smell the difference. Perhaps I have never smelled such a high-quality ingredient before. I assume it is similar to experiencing a Michelin star meal. The flavor almost evaporates on your tongue. It is an instant burst of technicolor and then it's gone. Wiped away with a clean sweep. End credits. This is a similar experience. A parallel universe. It is art. I am certain that is what the Perfume Artist is going for. I read the history on him and am abundantly clear of his high standards. For himself most of all. This fragrant art piece plays like a symphony. Each element orchestrating its part perfectly. Nothing overshadows anything else. It’s blended beautifully into one refined, smooth, elegant experience. You can break down the notes any way you would like. I'm not going to do that here. There is no note that stands out to me. It's perfectly done. It is spice done by the hand of someone who cares. This is what I have been looking for.

Lavs is a great spicy, churchy scent, darker and more serious than Avignon and Cardinal, with a burst of ashy smoke reminiscent of both incense and extinguished candles -- more like some remnant from a smoky source lingering on your clothes than burning embers. It is much more resinous than the other fragrances I mentioned, without the laundered freshness or florals and, thankfully, lacking the synthetic mustiness I get from CdG. It seems more natural, although there is a metallic ring to it that lingers. The initial blast of smoke can be a bit off-putting for some, but this settles down. After 5 hours, the tonka surfaces to provide just a touch of sweetness as the pungency of the myrrh declines slightly, but I wouldn't classify this as sweet in any way. Also, being an extrait, the stuff leaves an oily residue on the skin that lasts for hours. If you like incense-based fragrances, definitely add this to your list and give it a try. Just keep in mind that you're going to smell like the Pope. 9/10.

A cold and marble incense, almost monolithic. A high quality fragrance by the master Sorcinelli who together with Carlo Ribero manage to create fragrances with a high evocative power and Lavs is no exception. This perfume celebrates the famous Sorcinelli company, from the homonymous name, which creates sacred vestments for the most important members of the church and the Vatican. This is in fact a perfume that was and is still vaporized on these clothes before the final packaging. In my continuous search for incense, this is certainly one of the best together with Reliqvia and Bloody Smoke, where cold, spicy, balsamic and aromatic notes blend perfectly to recreate an essence with a high evocative power, of high quality. It almost feels like entering a large Gothic cathedral steeped in smells, history and mystery. I really like this perfume very much, a perfume that is never banal, intimate, certainly not screaming and a wake, but highly emotional.

After a long period of absence, I'm going to try and fix my nose a little by delving back into Sorcinelli's collection. It starts well: this is superb. As is often the case with F.S., it's at once extremely disconcerting, familiar, disturbing and comforting. For my part, I have a very black entry, but smooth/wet black rather than resinous/thick as he often likes to do. I also have a side of light wood that's just been sawn, a side of sawdust that's still wet, shavings... The play on elemi and rockrose is very gentle this time (quite rare with him, who likes strong stuff), and really plays on the very elegant enhancement of the spices (especially clove here, indeed). I don't necessarily get the tonka on the drydown, but really a very organic, very natural woody/oak aspect. A very fine reference in its genre, then, and one that will indeed appeal to fans of Nasomatto/Lutens and company.

I recently acquired a sample of this scent and really liked it. Based on the sample, I decided to order a full bottle. It was really disappointing to see that between the sample and the full bottle the perfume was reformulated. The sample was a beautifully resinous perfume with a sparkling and rounded quality. The color of the perfume was golden yellow. The perfume in the full bottle is almost colorless and feels a bit harsh and hollow compared to the richness of the sample. I sense more vetiver-like sharpness and smokiness in the current version. It smells like at least some of the natural components were replaced with synthetic ones, leading to a thinner smell. Longevity is also reduced. Such a shame. However, even with these changes, it is still a great perfume. The beginning especially is amazing. The drydown is too much rubbery myrrh for my liking.

I didn't like sample of this perfume at the beginning, it smelled like old soapy water or maybe rather the water in which the priest's old robe was washed. It is strange that I really liked the Cdg Avignon at same time, but not Lavs. (could the sample settle over time and smell better?) Yesterday I went back to the Lavs sample and felt its depth and realized that they are very similar to Avignon and I don't understand why I didn't like Lavs at the beginning. They are very similar and in the same prize category. In terms of colors Avignon represent velvety black and Lavs are matte black in my opinion. Lavs have also more interesting dry down. But the negative thing is im affraid to wear it outside, its on the border with What will be people thinking about me, when im wearing this? Im enjoying it more at home it my sacral space.

The king of incense fragrances. A cold, sharp, metallic fragrance with a bit of citrus in the opening as well. I am so so happy I have it in my collection next to its sibling Reliqvia. This is one of those fragrances that, to me, go well with everything. I only dress in black, so it just fits the aesthetic perfectly. But it is definitely not a crowd pleaser, but it is still very elegant. I did get one comment that it smells very sharp when I walked past someone. This also gets an idea about projection. Filippo Sorcinelli creates perfumes that mean something to him, it is his story and his memories put into a bottle. I find it to be a perfect cold incense fragrance that a pope could wear. It is spiritual, yet not as photorealistic as Reliqvia is.

The closest you will get to a Eastern Orthodox / Oriental Orthodox Church scent. Big on the candle wax, very intoxicating, literally makes you feel like you are standing there and the resins give it a deep complexity. On top of that, super long lasting, it maintains its top notes for a long long time even on the dry down. I have a hard time thinking any other fragrance can come close to the closeness this fragrance gets to an Orthodox Church. This is the most accurate dead on version of it I have smelled in a fragrance and if you are into that scent, this is really the benchmark. I respect it for lacking sweetness so it can be accurate. And you can just layer it with something sweet and its perfect to layer with a sweet scent. 5/5

cold incense, ozonic, detached, quite fresh, with greens, it's like a clean concrete church abandoned in a grove, but still being kept and taken care of, where the vines are slightly growing around and starting to cling onto the walls the incense profile reminds me of Avignon by CDG, that classic incense profile you find in Cardinal by Heeley, Encens Roi by Histoires de Parfums, and more, quite realistic, but this one is fresher, with more greens on top, not Kyoto levels of fresh though, something in between, which I really appreciate. also lasts longer than Avignon and Kyoto which is huge for me, I was looking for something like the CDG Incense lineup that actually lasted, it's also slightly more complex and evolves more

Updating my review: I bought a sample of this last year and fell head over heels in love with it and immediately bought a full bottle. After wearing it for a winter I feel like it's really not for me. It is a cold, almost sterile incense, not a warm, rich, sweet incense. It is very masculine on the dry down, which I don't particularly dislike, but after it has been worn for a few hours it takes on this generic "cologne" scent that I'm not super into, amd find a little boring. I gave it to my husband, so it won't go to waste, as it smells terrific on him, but I guess it just sadly doesn't do it for me anymore. I'm more a fan of Encens Suave, and after I smelled that, Lavs was inadequate!

Wow! The most incense I have so far sniffed in a fragrance. I'm suddenly transported to a Roman Catholic or Russian Orthodox Church. I was bit concerned that this was just going to be about incense. Elemi, clove, black pepper and oppopanax must be the accord to make power incense. I think it's a touch too heavy on the pepper at the start but it settles quickly. Thankfully the accord does ease up a bit and then the warm resins and spices get much more of a look in. I don't find it very sweet but more warm from the labdanum and amber. I wasnt sure when I first tried it but it has really grown on me and now its a love. A totally unisex beauty. Amazing silage and longevity.

It opens cold and smoky, more like cold wet stones than metallic, almost ozonic, static. It warms with wear, lightly amber. It’s easy to picture an old stone church with wooden pews, it’s cold and raining outside. The notes listed above are almost irrelevant, this is predominantly incense. But is this the definitive incense fragrance? Not ready to hand over the crown yet, but it does have more atmospheric depth and longevity than many another wispy incense fragrances (I am looking at you Avignon in particular). Performance isn’t as intense as earlier reports suggest, possible variation or dilution? It does last longer than some other incense perfumes at least.

An amazing creation from filippo sorcinelli that embodies both the perfumes and the lithurgical vestments he makes. The fragrance has a spicy cardamom and pepper opening, with the cloves, coriander and more incensy, resinous notes becoming more prominent on the drydown. Hint of iso-e super, but not very musky. As a whole, it's not very sweet, much more moody, and can for this reason be a little overwhelming for some people. Speaking of which, the scent has a good perfomance, lingers for a long time, and follows me around throughout the day. I'll have to get a full size bottle of this depending on how I feel about the other ones, 10/10 for the time being.

I love incense perfumes, and this one is the stuff of past and present popes! Filippo Sorcinelli, the founder of Unum, has made vestments for the popes. These Vatican ceremonial robes were scented with Lavs - Laboratorio Vesti Sacri ambient spray- before being worn by the pontiffs in public creating a sacred air. A testament to the celestial aroma of the frankincense! An idealized scent, clear and haunting - exactly what you dream of when you think of incense. Good sillage, it floats around you, like smoke from a holy thurible. Long lasting, purified by clean spices, Lavs is mystical incense perfume art. I'll be in good company wearing it!