Ashes

Cedar, green herbal notes and spices done really really well. I see the comparison with Wonderwood given the large cedar component but Ashes is a lot bolder and leans much further into the incense, cloves and green aspect (wormwood especially and patchouli) whereas WW is a lot softer, sweeter and cleaner with that cashmeran and vetiver touch. Both are very nice but go in different directions ultimately imho. I would rate Ashes much more typically masculine. I see Jaisalmer is compared too, I feel that is probably closer to this than Wonderwood. My favorite Frank Boclet to date.

The fragrance is interesting and not especially unique but nice if you like the incense-y genre. Comes off as an ashy leathery incense mixed with wonderwood from CdG, but doesn’t perform as well as that one. This is very wispy and is fairly short lasting, projecting for maybe an hour, and then just barely a skin scent for another hour or so. However, I feel like this will do better on a less humid day, with a light breeze. Orientated between Wonderwood and Encre Noire Extreme. A bit of a funeral feel, but not in an altogether bad way?

I don't have anything poetic to say about Ashes. It smells very much like the sum of its notes (and not at all like literal ashes) and it very much has a Lutensian vibe. It's dark, unisex, and fairly natural-smelling. Just my speed. Possibly full bottle worthy.

I love it to the core of my bones! It is amazing!!! Smells live funeral home but in such a pleasant way! My favourite Boclet scent!

After spending time in the sun baked, resin soaked world of Amouage’s Outlands, today’s review takes us in a far darker direction with Ashes by Franck Boclet. Where Outlands framed incense through refinement and tradition, Ashes approaches the theme with a scorched and industrial edge, leaning into destruction as atmosphere rather than elegance as comfort. This is a fragrance that promises smoke, char, and shadow, presenting itself as unapologetically heavy and deliberately provocative. Rather than aiming for balance or restraint, Ashes pushes intensity to the forefront, inviting the wearer to engage with something visceral and uncompromising. Whether that boldness translates into depth and cohesion, or simply overwhelms in pursuit of shock, is what we are here to uncover. Let us step into the smoke and begin. Opening: The opening is spicy, woody, and smoky. The primary notes that stand out are cloves, cedar, incense, and wormwood, with cloves and cedar immediately taking the lead. The fragrance opens with a burst of clove that feels warm, aromatic, and true to life, evoking the scent of freshly crushed cloves with a comforting but assertive presence. Supporting this is cedar, split between Atlas and Virginia varieties, where the Virginia cedar provides a familiar dry and lumber like woodiness, while the Atlas cedar adds a subtle resinous warmth that deepens the structure. Incense follows closely behind, introducing a pronounced smokiness that feels less church oriented and more reminiscent of burning embers, reinforcing the ash laden theme suggested by the name. Wormwood then rounds out the opening with a bitter, herbal, and slightly medicinal edge that sharpens the composition and prevents it from becoming overly cozy. There is a brief moment where the scent recalls Kilian’s Straight to Heaven, particularly in the interplay between smoke and wood, but the similarity in the opening remains fleeting. Dry Down: The dry down is aromatic, woody, and smoky, and while the same core notes remain present, the balance shifts noticeably. Wormwood and cedar now take center stage, with the wormwood becoming more pronounced and lending a stronger bitter and herbaceous character to the composition. Cedar grows drier and more dominant, emphasizing a stripped back woodiness that feels raw and uncompromising. Incense continues to play a significant role, maintaining a steady smoky presence, though it softens slightly to allow the herbal and woody facets to come forward. Finally, the cloves retreat into the background, leaving behind a faint warmth that lingers as an echo of the opening rather than a defining feature. In this stage, Ashes leans much closer to Straight to Heaven than it did initially, with the resemblance becoming more apparent as the fragrance settles into its long wearing base. Performance: Performance is a clear strength for Ashes. The opening projects very strongly within the first hour, easily filling a small room and leaving a heavy scent trail. After a few hours, projection remains solid at roughly five to six feet, while the trail softens considerably but stays noticeable. Around the seven hour mark, projection settles closer to three to four feet, with the trail becoming slightly lighter but still present. Ashes transitions into a skin scent between the ten and twelve hour mark, offering longevity that comfortably supports its bold and assertive character. When to Wear: Ashes is best suited for fall and winter evenings, where its dense woods and smoke feel most appropriate. The dark and heavily masculine profile makes it a strong choice for special occasions or formal settings that can accommodate its intensity. At the same time, its complexity and weight make it unsuitable for casual wear or office environments, where it would likely feel overpowering and out of place. Blind Buy: Ashes is not a safe blind buy. This is a fragrance clearly designed for enthusiasts of deeply masculine, smoky compositions, and its aggressive profile will not appeal to everyone. Those who enjoy challenging and uncompromising scents may find it compelling, but sampling is essential before committing to a bottle. Final Verdict: Ashes is a visceral exploration of the darker and more aggressive side of perfumery, and one I can genuinely appreciate for its artistry and intent. It delivers exactly what it promises, with a smoky, woody profile and performance that feel confident and unapologetic. While the scent profile and longevity both resonate with me, it ultimately treads too close to Kilian’s Straight to Heaven for me to easily justify owning both. The resemblance becomes especially apparent in the dry down, where the two fragrances begin to overlap in character and mood. Still, Ashes stands as a strong and well executed composition in its own right, and if I were to come across it at a significantly reduced price, I would not hesitate to add it to my collection. Scent: 8/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 7/10 Versatility: Average Mass Appeal: Low Gender: Masculine Value: Fair