Plein Jeu III-V

I've been competing in the Incense Olympiad. After several forays into the sicklier end of the spectrum (hands up, Erbario Toscana's Gocce di Resina) and the dark, dry depths of patchouli and vetiver - related versions (SS. Jousset's Rituel À l’Encens Noir and Farmacia SS. Annunziata's Vetiver Incenso respectively), I can confirm that my heart belongs to the two great modern masters: James Heeley (Cardinal and Eau Sacree) and Filippo Sorcinelli. They succeed in striking the perfect balance between the contradictory smoky yet sweet aspects of incense-based perfumery. This fragrance takes its name from the organ stop "Plein Jeu" (translated as "Full Chorus"), with which Sorcinelli the musician is well familiar. According to connoisseurs, Plein Jeu is the richest tone in the organ and in the Classical period was synonymous with the most majestic and solemn parts of the liturgy. Like a seventeenth-century master of the organ, Sorcinelli loves to improvise around a basic theme and ornament what could be a solemn and heavy incense accord with the lightness and brilliance of floral and woody notes. We are back in the Sunday rituals of Sorcinelli's Italian boyhood: Solemn High Mass in the Cathedral is followed by a delicious treat of fragrant, spicy and sugary pastries ("dolci della domenica"). In Plein Jeu, as in LAVS, Sorcinelli succeeds in putting introspection and restraint behind him, with a full-throated incense base lifted by citrus, ginger and honey, unashamedly sweet and full-bodied, but woven, through improvisation, into a coherent whole. Bravo, Maestro!

Plein Jeu III-V,. The name is a mouth-full. It's a very nice, soft frankincense with the citrus aspect played up with lemon, coupled with cedary woody notes. Wafts to my nose throughout the day without effort on my part and is very pleasant. I like the little bit of bitterness I get from the frankincense. It’s great if you want a fresh-style frankincense as it’s not like church incense; it’s more effervescent and cheery instead of oppressive and ceremonial. I just realized it reminds me of Relique d’Amour, probably the frankincense/lemon combo and they are both more fresh than heavy. Plein Jeu is happier, where as Relique d'Amour has a melancholy feel to it. But if you like either one of these perfumes, you should try the other. Relique d'Amour is like cold, damp stones, leftover frankincense from mass, and some old flowers withering in a vase. Plein Jeu reminds me of sunlight filtering through a spectacular stained glass rosette and onto the leftover frankincense vapors still floating around the cathedral. Edit: Now that I have a full bottle, I can see why it seems more happy than other incense fragrances that I find similar. The lemon is sweet rather than fresh, and I think that changes the mood a lot.

A true work of art and what niche perfumery is all about... When I die and they decide to bring me back to life, they can look into my Fragrantica account and start with this fragrance. The second I lay my nose on this olfactory masterpiece, I will awaken to the memories of my early childhood: Three layers intertwine like a braid: fresh cedarwood from the workshop in my grandpa's basement, a cup of tea with many drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice- the lemon is warm and mellow, not the acidic citrus smell it usually has- and the third layer: a smoky nuance that runs throughout; the whole scent feels like a dream. I feel like this is a unisex fragrance because it's an entity of its own. I am in awe of its beauty, and it feels degrading to call it a perfume; it's an experience and a trip down memory lane and raw emotions. I could cry because of it as well, like somebody mentioned, and it also reminds me of Relique- not smell-wise, but because of the power and beauty it possesses, on a level that only a few can reach. Thank you for bringing this into the world.

Incredible combination of freshly cut woods and cut green leaves. I was hypnotized at first sniff as I tried it in the perfume shop and eversince it became my indispensable. The powdery mimose on top notes balances out the citrus opening magnifiiently. The smokey and jamy fir balsam collaborates beautifully with oak moss and oatchouli in top notes and gives the entire recipee tgat sensous, evocative and unforgettable sexiness. Just 3 sniff in ghe morning and I carry this exclusive wonderful smelling nebula around me until evening.

Lemon/pepper/ginger bomb on opening, quickly calming down to a nice wood pencil scent and dry down to a delicious lemony cedar / sandalwood. Really digging this one, sweet, elegant and the spicy notes are just enough