Encounters

Encounters finds Francesca Bianchi stepping into the very crowded arena of oud perfumes, and in the “oud sense” it’s oud we’ve smelled many times before. With Encounters, the devil is in the details, and Bianchi’s unique voice is the star. While making my way through the brand’s discovery set, smelling the perfumes, and looking at the bottle art, a theme is not hard to notice that I interpret as highly sexual. I wouldn’t call it hypersexual, but certainly far from prudish. The press blurbs don’t hint at anything such, but I’m without a doubt. Encounters, per the brand, is an “East meets West” perfume using oud and orris to deliver the brief. I smell a sexual entanglement. The image on the bottle is of a chain link, but vaguely so; read it from left to right and it looks... penetrative, let us say. Let me explain. The bergamot and aldehydes at top provide an electric shiver down the spine. Sour and energetic, hair raising and attention grabbing. Orange and cassis come into play, providing a fruit note to accent - you guessed it - oud. Lavender and coriander go into the mix to keep everything from getting sticky, heavy, and skanky... just yet. Juicy, funky, cooly spicy and herbal - a good introduction to the engorging oud accord growing from below. The bergamot, aldehydes, and fruits dispense quite quickly to reveal orris, appearing on the scene as floral and feminine, buttery, and a bit cold and rough due to the powdery starchiness, waiting for the oud to court it. And courtship it is. They do a dance, push and pull, exchanging positions. In one minute I smell my skin and it’s oud, the next minute orris. This tango is naughty and tempting. The highly animalic red-blooded woodiness of the oud juxtaposes with the soft, silky, slinky, oily, and “inviting” orris until, finally, they are one in a tantric union. No longer separated, they create a very human, bodily warmth with ambroxan, castoreum, sandalwood, and benzoin. The oud and the orris are still there in the dry down, but the space between them has been filled by sweaty and salty skin from the ambroxan and castoreum, warm and creamy balsams, mouthwatering animalic vanilla from the benzoin - it’s a sticky union but in the way that’s hopefully unavoidable, if you catch my drift. East meets West, cultures contaminating each other, sure, you can accept that PG-13 version. When I smell Encounters, I smell a howl at the moon and yearn to ravage or be ravaged. You know how some old European and old Arabian art presented itself as very proper and decorous, but if you look closely you see the raunch and animal lust? Yeah, this perfume is that.

EN Encounters by Francesca Bianchi, launched in 2023, is an extrait de parfum that beautifully bridges the elegance of Western iris with the depth of Eastern oud, symbolizing a meeting of two distinct cultures. The top notes of bergamot, orange, cassis, lavender, and coriander create a fresh and vibrant opening. In the heart, iris butter, rose, angelica, and cinnamon lend a soft, powdery quality that feels both refined and enchanting. The base is rich and enveloping, featuring ambergris, castoreum, oud, sandalwood, cedar, and Peru balsam. These elements, particularly the oud, introduce a smoky, animalic sensuality, characteristic of Francesca Bianchi’s unique and bold compositions. This fragrance offers a sophisticated sensory journey, perfect for those who appreciate complex and culturally diverse perfumes. IT Encounters di Francesca Bianchi, lanciato nel 2023, è un extrait de parfum che unisce l’eleganza dell’iris occidentale con la profondità dell’oud orientale, creando un ponte tra due culture diverse. Le note di testa sono fresche e vibranti grazie alla presenza di bergamotto, arancia, cassis, lavanda e coriandolo, mentre il cuore si addolcisce con burro di iris, rosa, angelica e cannella, conferendo un carattere morbido e cipriato. La base del profumo, ricca e avvolgente, è composta da ambra grigia, castoreo, oud, legno di sandalo, cedro e balsamo del Perù. Questi ingredienti, soprattutto l’oud, aggiungono una sensualità fumosa e animalica, tipica dello stile di Francesca Bianchi, rendendo Encounters una fragranza intensa, lussuosa e misteriosa. Questo profumo è un’esperienza sensoriale sofisticata, perfetta per chi apprezza le fragranze complesse e multiculturali.

I'm trying to get through as many samples as I can from Sebastian’s mystery box No. 3. There are a few I am more excited about than others and one of them is Encounters. I feel like it is better for me to review a fragrance without any preconceived ideas. For that reason, I chose not to read the description on her website or anything else that would describe what I am about to experience and why notes were chosen to enhance that experience. I did that here and honestly I don't know what to say. This is not my preferred fragrance DNA. Not to say there is anything wrong. This is actually quite nice. It's very strong and balsamic, blended with iris butter. I enjoy it the most when I can smell the lavender. It gives it a bit of sweet aromatic essence. My personal hang up about it is that it does not provide a youthful or attractive aura to it. I'm sure for some people it might, but for me I imagine an older woman who is a bit standoffish. I really don't know why and it frustrates me because I can tell this is a very good fragrance. I hope I come back to this and think I sound like an idiot. ** one hour passes by ** Well that didn't take long. Lol. It smells great now! I'm an idiot. It has become this very complex aromatic oud creation. If this is the DNA everyone talks about in regards to Francesca, I understand the talk. I still get the balsamic note, but now I get a fougere dry down. Very different from the opening even though the notes are still there. I am here to say I was wrong in the beginning. This is a beautiful and complex composition and it is worth having

Pleasant surprise! This is way better than i was expected. This is why we shouldn't look at note breakdowns and descriptions. While lots of Francesca Bianchi fragrances have good names and descriptions, this one don’t. If this is a encounter, it’s encounter of two people not two notes. Anyway. This is exactly how i want a Iris base fragrance to be. Orris root or Iris butter is one of my favorite notes and one of the reasons i love this brand. And we all know Francesca Bianchi knows how to work with it. This is exceptionally good. It’s dry, woody and slightly waxy. Somewhat leathery. Slightly dirty. It’s also fresh and fruity. ( There is a powerful, smooth, fruity background ) I love it from initial spray til the very end, but first couple of hours is divine. The oud: The oud is just a supporting note but the effect that it gives to this composition is very good. Brilliant touch. But beware this fragrance is not about oud. It’s a iris fragrance. ( It’s noticeable in background ) Elegant-Sophisticated-Luxury-Noble-Vintage-Very Sexual Performance is excellent. 9/10 and i was not expecting this!

A beautiful blend of wood, warm spices, lavender and orris (iris root) - a note I absolutely love. This is a 10/10 for me. It sits in the same universe as one of my favorite perfumes - Heretic’s Dirty Violet - in terms of mood and texture rather than scent: musky, skin-like, sensual, slightly feminine, but not just “pretty”. There’s something a little off as well (castoreum/ambergris), which gives it depth and intrigue. The combination of floral notes I enjoy (rose, lavender, orris) with benzoin, woods and subtle fruity nuances is incredibly well balanced. This is also the first oud fragrance that truly works for me personally - here it adds structure rather than taking over. The concept (a meeting of West - iris - and East - oud) is executed beautifully. Warm, intimate, slightly mysterious. Also worth mentioning: I received three unsolicited compliments from customers in one day wearing this.