Boswellia Scotia

Upon the first application, it feels as if you are floating above endless primeval coniferous forests, shrouded in mist, with glimpses of stone fortresses, castles, and temples reaching skyward. Silvery-green lichens have taken over this place. The scent evokes their presence, along with pine branches, slightly sweetened and touched by the first frosts, as well as fir balsam. At a certain point, vibrant coppery saffron needles emerge, stitching together the intricate lace of forest notes, resins, and damp stone, threading through the composition tart, tangy pink beads of “Christmas Berries” (Schinus), and droplets of yellowish-white olibanum that resemble a mineral. The mist thickens into dense smoke from burning resins of frankincense trees, enveloping everything and transporting you from the open air into the interiors of ancient structures. Hidden here is a waxed wooden chest, adorned with oxidized metal, lined with glossy Muga silk, once imbued with the balsamic, mineral, and simultaneously leathery-resinous facets of olibanum. Its contents are clumps of earth from a distant forgotten land. When touched, the relic crumbles, releasing into the air the warmth of patchouli, faint hints of spicy nuances, the creaminess of Mysore sandalwood, and the texture of “groundnut” shells (peanuts). As the perfume begins to fade, it transitions into ambery-woody materials, occasionally bringing back the imagination to coniferous-green frankincense and the dense, stagnant air often found in gothic cathedrals or high-altitude mountains. I adore frankincense in perfumery, so my collection always includes a variety of fragrances that explore this note. Boswellia Scotia by Jorum Studio is a wonderful example of a naturalistic portrayal of olibanum in its many facets, beautifully and modernly composed. Euan McCall has expertly placed accents throughout, making the fragrance impossible to grow accustomed to—it constantly sparks with tiny, stimulating nuances. I highly recommend it to those who share my love for fragrant resin. On my “cool” skin, the fragrance lasts up to 8 hours (and for a full day on a blotter) in America humid and windy climate, leaving a trail of about 2 meters, which is quite comfortable for those around. It is entirely gender-neutral and easy to wear. In terms of mood, it reminds me of my beloved Mandala by Masque Milano, though they are entirely different creations. At the moment, Boswellia Scotia is the latest addition to the “Time” collection, and it is still available for purchase. #perfume #jorumstudio #boswelliascotia #nicheperfume #artisanfragrance #fragrance

Limited seasonal release - only 597 bottles available. I ordered my bottle yesterday whoohoooo. From Jorum's website: ------------------------------------- Impression: Royal Green Hojari Frankincense, Pink Pepper, Saffron Fade: Cistus, Sandalwood Mysore, Cypriol, Patchouli, Black Hemlock, Fir Balsam, Olibanum Absolute Perfumer’s notes: Behold! A gift of boundless riches, eternal vessel for citrine treasures. As Autumn approaches, many will reach for their heaviest perfumes. Personally, I like to reserve the denser profiles for the deep winter months that feel eternal here in Scotland. When leaves turn gold, I crave something atmospheric to complement the crisp air – with enough richness to provoke a nuzzling action. As such, I reach for frankincense-centric fragrances. I collect frankincense tears and enjoy the inherent undulating freshness, marvelling at the subtle but perceivable differences between qualities. Boswellia Scotia is a personal formulation that I use throughout the Autumn here in crispy Edinburgh. It attempts to capture the ethereal facet of finest Hojari Frankincense in all its weightless splendour, presented as purely as possible. I must note that Boswellia Scotia is not a ceremonial incense style perfume. It doesn't smell like a place of worship. This TIME fragrance is a purer presentation of exceptional quality frankincense (olibanum). For me, this type of profile is so befitting of the Autumn season. Harvesting of Frankincense in Oman varies by location, but it typically concludes by August resulting in a perfect partner as we move towards Autumn. Closer to home, Scottish botanist William Roxburgh gave the Frankincense plant the genus name Boswellia, in honour of his friend Dr. John Boswell. Roxburgh, known as the 'founding father of Indian botany', was superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden and is responsible for discovering, documenting and naming countless plants. This unlikely connection between Scotland and the Frankincense plant (and botany in general) has captured my imagination since childhood. Made in Scotland. ------------------------------------------------

This is absolutely not the kind of incense fragrance that wraps olibanum in a warm, spicy, vanilla-amber accord. It is an intensely, austerely pure and cold distillation of frankincense, terpenic and coniferous like a snowy, frost-bitten forest clearing. (Given that this scent highlights Hojari frankincense from Oman, it’s curious that its effect feels so distinctly Northern—perhaps owing to the accompanying notes of hemlock, fir, and cypriol). It is neither churchy nor smoky but its unburnt sharpness suggests the cleansing power and latent combustibility contained in the precious resin. In some other incense fragrances (Encens Roi, for example), I’ve encountered the nose-tickling sharpness that takes centre stage in Boswellia Scotia but I’ve never smelled it foregrounded quite like this—it’s actually not entirely removed from the harsh rubbing-alcohol or paint-thinner smell I associate with certain aggressively “masculine” fragrances, but Euan McCall has refined it into something noble, even mystical. Rather than a formal ritual, it evokes a kind of natural magic, something untamed and possibly threatening. Instead of a burnt offering that humans present to a deity, it’s the pure, pitiless white light of an ancient and holy being: a vision you might encounter while lost in the pines, right before you lose consciousness from hypothermia. Will you be blessed and resurrected, or your mortal form obliterated, disappeared without a trace? In other words, a magnificent fragrance, tragic that it’s already sold out. I’ll be using my sample sparingly—thankfully, it’s an extrait that goes a long way, a few dabs on the wrist last all day.

Boswellia Scotia by Jorum Studio is a cold, almost glacial incense, layered with dry aromatic and floral nuances. Beneath it lies a damp, somber undertone that paradoxically carries a hidden warmth, while the light shining through the composition feels sharp and frosty. It’s like gazing at a black-and-white photograph: a vast, essential landscape, shaped by stark contrasts and extreme chiaroscuro, veiled in smoke. I first smelled it in front of Chloe, the brand’s co-founder. My eyes widened in surprise, while she, fully aware of the reason behind my reaction, simply nodded in silence.

stunning, between spice dense incense and a cold plunge into coniferous forest tree tops on a frozen winter day. wet fragrant patchouli dry down. this is what the forest ivan and marichka play in as children in shadows of the forgotten ancestors smells like. edit : if you are pining for this, jorum made this part of their mainline line up back in october :~)