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

(There are days when I stop reviewing Sorcinelli after two posts, but I'm continuing on tonight: spellbound). The music excerpt series has fascinated me since the launch, mostly because I think the bottles are beautiful. The man's relationship with both the world of religion and the world of music (he is an organist himself, according to an interview) also brings an interesting density to the project. This creation is not my favorite of the whole lot, but it is still worth a look. To me, it smells like that typical grandmother's remedy: honey-ginger-lemon tea, and synthetic jasmine home fragrances, often favored by little grannies. It's a smell I don't associate with very pleasant things, but that's partly due to a series of memory biases. Anyway, I've never been sure what to make of this blend: it's very resinous at the same time as lemony-woody-sweet. The cedar gets softer on the skin and at the end, and I like it best at that point (the dry-down is really the most pleasant part: it calms down a lot on my skin). Not necessarily the most prized accords on my side, but worth the discovery depending on affinities.

I'm getting a beautiful hay note that isn't listed. Had I known it was here this could have been my perfect fall scent for the past few months. There is an animal fur musk that I also seem to be smelling making it a farmy scent that would fit perfect in my fall collection between Paradis Perdu and New Sibet. This must be what they mean by cologne affect, but this isn't your typical designer frat boy cologne. This is a quiet masculinity that is totally wearable by someone more feminine. I can't say much about the listed notes. I can pick them out -- a hint of floral, some lovely resins, some woody scents . . . but I'm too excited smelling these unexpected favorite smells to say anything much about them right now, Upon revisiting I am getting a glowing frankincense and cedar incense brightened with lemon and ginger and floral notes. This may become a fall favorite and I am glad to rediscover it this year

The opening is very fresh and aromatic, a bit spicy The most noticeble notes being lemon, ginger and black pepper Despite these fresh notes the fragrance still comes off quite subtle and "calm" Then as it dries it develops more of an ambery woody profile with some incense of course It remains subtle with a bit of powdery hints and earthy notes such as dried patchouli and oakmoss in the base

very interesting. perhaps the most interesting of the series. this is for those who do not want to give up incense even in the hot seasons, even if they always carry with them that heaviness of the smell of church organ gears that this series represents so well. it's done really well. but for a summer incense I prefer SANCTI by LES LIQUID IMAIGINAIRES.

Im enjoying it a lot. But not enough to feel like it’s necessary. Idk what it is but I just think I’ve had moments that almost brought me to tears with scents like reve d’ossian it’s very hard to top them. But I’d love to own this. Just not in a rush.

I'll say Encense Satin Meets Clive Christian V- Sweet incense with a quality pepper note, and although quieter than V, still lasts. Seems subtle, but you have to let it come to you instead of trying to chase it.

I just sampled these and actually love them, this one in my opinion is the cleanest one of the three, no sweetness, straight forward, little bit of white smokiness, light hearted fragrance.

This one never stray too far from your typical churchy incense, but it's a little more tart, floral, spicier, and drier than Voix Humaine 8.

yes a incense cologne. very masculine. nothing special.

You walk into the cathedral in a white cotton sundress, a hand stitched lace veil obscures your face. You take to your knees to pray, frankincense fusing with your hair as a single tear rolls down your cheek. You leave to drink a martini with a twist from an ice cold glass, and then catch the eye of a man you will later fuck aggressively in one of the bar bathroom cubicles. That’s what this scent smells like to me.

softer version of Violon Basse which I didnt like. Here there's a lower dose of olibanum and fir which are still the main players. Citrus and ginger are great in the opening, cant get mimosa. Drydown reminds me of something my dad used to wear. Very masculine aftershave vibe. Not my cup of tea. It seem I cant make an opinion of this line beside the concept that I find great! result? Dont know

My love. I’ve tested a few signature Filippo Sorcinelli perfumes, all of them were good, but this one... It touched my soul. Its a smell of a varnished theater floor, art gallery with old oil paintings, smell of antique books, museum of natural history... sweet and dusty... it‘s pure and nostalgic. There‘s no evil. Sometimes I want to cry to it.

Sour balsamic ginger incense. Lemon, ginger, balsamic, black pepper, mimosa, and more sour balsamic. I guess this one is the most interesting in this line. Overall, they remain mild and very incense type, nothing special or divine or even new.

salt preserved lemon. not fresh or fragrant as in meyer lemon. mild incense next to the barn door. recent animal droppings. inoffensive.

Scent: 8/10 Quality: 10/10 Originality: 7/10 Sillage: 7/10 Projection: 7/10 Longevity: 7/10 Price VS Size: 6/10