Encens Roi

What initially seems a fiery stoke from a raging pulpit, diverges to a smooth courtly gesture fit for coronation. Encens Roi opens with a spirited thrust of olibanum and pink pepper blessed in chamomile, channeling like a ginger root floral cola, fresh and zesty; parched heartily with strong pinches of saffron, pimento, and balsamic evergreen that simmer down for a base rounded by an interesting white cacao note that anchors the accord towards the woody ambery side of the throne; refining a dry ardent heart with an added sweet salty melt to an oriental leathery dry crest of cistus and oud, and merely distinguishing itself from its incense wheelhouse with a slight press. Thankfully, this HdP release is all regency in its presence and a gallant coating for one’s inner rex... Thumbs up!

A noble incense fragrance with olibanum as the major note, but it is not simply an eau de incense stick. Histoires de Parfums is a very good house that blends their fragrances masterfully and Encens Roi falls right in line. It is a modest performer, but I think this is a good thing for a fragrance like this. It envelopes you in a long-lasting, subtle, beautiful exotic smoke that dries down to a warm embrace. Echoes of an ancient liturgy, never preaching from the pulpit. If I had a criticism it would be that I am wanting the other listed notes to play a bigger role. I wonder what nuances more saffron could have contributed? A stronger dry cacao note would have been a compelling addition. Still, as it stands, this is a beautiful frankincense that I am glad to own.

~This surprised me as it was a successful blind buy and not quite what I was expecting! ~To me this is not really a true incense frag as I think the Oud accord and woody ambers are truly the main players. ~Here the spices are intense and warm really cutting through the subtle cold incense being offered. Saffron, pimento, pink pepper are equal in tenacity and intensity. Cacao is just ever so subtle in the background giving this comp more palatability. ~To me there really isn’t any church vibe being offered here! minimal smoke, no dustyness, no wooden pews. Just pure balsams - woods and spices! ~very underrated - masterfully blended and unique! Also a decent performer. My current favorite of the house P.S.- I got a 100ml bottle for $79 on Jomashop!

It seems that all of the popular olibanum-focused fragrances have their own take on the note. Profumum Roma's Olibanum presents with a deliciously zesty lemonyness, old standby Timbuktu opts for a medicinal and strangely cold, vegetal effect. CdG Zagorsk points out the pine-yness whereas Amouage's Incense Rori (also created by genius perfumer Julien Rasquinet) pairs it with oakmoss. Encens Roi feels a warmer affair, with a cozy amber blanket within its golden glow. The smokey basenotes in the outro make you feel as if you've actually burned some precious resin when you catch a pleasant whiff off of the clothing you wore the day before. Great for frankincense heads and one of the better offers in it's field.

I bought this for a very specific purpose. I fell in love with Amouage Purpose 50 but I couldn’t justify the price tag for a full bottle. I set off looking for something that would give me the same vibe without having to settle for a cheap dupe. The smooth yet smoky frankincense, the inimitable pimento, the light spice of the saffron, the gentle vanilla base. This fragrance did just that for me. It’s my first histories fragrance and was a blind buy. This is purely gorgeous. I am absolutely enamored with this scent. While I still enjoy purpose 50 more, this fragrance transports me to the same place, and at a fraction of the cost. If all histories fragrances are this good, this is a house I need to explore.