Encre Noire A L'Extreme

This is the third of five of my Encre Noir reviews. Encre Noir A L'Extreme is, like Encre Noir Sport, a variation on the original Encre Noir, managing to stay different enough to be really interesting but true enough to the original DNA to be identifiable as a member of the series. From the off, this was a bit more challenging than the original and the Sport version. On the testing strip it is harsh and very balsamic, and like the other other two I've reviewed only really comes alive on the skin after it starts to dry down, so you'll need to give this one a couple of minutes. When it does start to settle though the effect is dramatic. The smokiness from the nearly-burned sandalwood is heavy and immediately reminds me of Ebene Fume which is another one I enjoy and actually the comparisons to that fragrance are well made as there is a similar heart and feel here, but for 15% of the retail price. The classic EN inky vetiver is immediately recognisable here and runs through this fragrance from top to bottom like a mineral seam in a Klondike mine. It is more medicinal than the original and the Sport. It feels more ageless. The way it works off the sandalwood, itself not pure but smoky and aged, but a little burned as I mentioned, is absolutely brilliant. Star of the show here though for me is the very clever benzoin in the base and the incense in the heart, adding richness and just enough sweetness to stop this going too bitter from the vetiver and smoke. The orris is subtle but makes the incense and benzoin a little powdery which works incredibly well here. Again, it is really well balanced. I'm a big fan of Nathalie Lorson's work and this is every bit as good as the first two in the series, even if it has a much warmer feel. Is it less moody? Maybe, but certainly it retains the ageless, timeless feel of the original. I love how the vetiver and resinous accords work with the wood here. The smell all together evokes similar pictures that Ebene Fume does: log cabins, pristine wilderness, pine trees, plaid-shirt-boots-and-jeans, and cold, clean air. Performance is great - 7 hours give or take and it does project very nicely. As it dries down the smoke sits in balance with the resinous, woody, earthy, soily accords in a way that again does evoke Ebene Fume to me, the two smell quite similar to me. For me, this is the least unisex of the three I've tried so far and I struggle to imagine a woman wearing this. It is more linear than the first two. Like Ebene Fume, I really enjoy this one and love how it smells on my skin. In fact I would say I think this one has more complexity and "nose interest" than Ebene Fume. But, also like Ebene Fume I find its wearability a little limited as it isn't formal enough to wear to on formal occasions, not appealing/alluring enough to wear on a night out to the pub, but is too heavy and smoky to really carry it off in casual settings, so it sort of falls between the stones if that makes sense. I don't think that is a criticism. This is/was never going to be a mass market daily driver and nobody (?) is buying this bottle to do that. But, as another highly refined, niche quality study on vetiver and wood, it is outstanding. Encre Noir A L'Extreme is a respectable office wearer I would say, and would be a nice choice if you're going out for dinner as it is gentlemanly in the way it projects but has the staying power and richness you want. I reach for Ebene Fume for nights out but layer it with something that moves it sweeter (typically Myrrhe Mystere or Amber Intrigue) and I have a feeling both these would work amazingly well with Encre Noir A L'Extreme as well for the same reason, though I would use less of both. One spray only, Vasily. Three Word Summary: Woody, Vetiver Wildnerness Scent - 8/10 Sillage - 7/10 Drydown - 6/10 Bottle/packaging - 9/10 Performance - 8/10 38/50

I promise you, my original intention was to leave a bad review. I am, just now, reaching about nine months of purposely acquiring fragrances, as opposed to before, when I'd just so happen to make a fragrance purchase, once every 10 years or so. Lalique Encre Noire A L'Extreme was one of my very first purchases, probably because the price looked right, and,...can't imagine why else, but, it was a total blind buy, to say the least. I don't know what is the difference, then to now, but, I can say that, when I first tried it, Encre Noire A L'Extreme was offensively horrendous to me! I couldn't, for the life of me, comprehend that anyone would want to walk around smelling like that. As I do with all my fragrance purchases, I let it sit for a month, hoping that macerating might do it some good. No such luck, though. I tried it, was still disgusted about it, and, I put it away, unable to imagine any occasion that it might see the light of day again. Fast forward to today, and, I was going to write the negative review, get it out the way. I don't like being negative, so, it took me awhile to muster up the initiative to do the deed. Fortunately, though, being as I'm off today, and only around the house, I figured that I'd, at least, give it one last wearing, so that, while I'm writing the negative review, my thoughts would be fresh. Suddenly, I GET IT! And, not a moment too soon, either! Six, seven month later, MANY purchases later, middle of summer even (but, inside, air-conditioning). But, I finally get it. And, I don't know what it is: was my nose too inexperienced, did anything about the fragrance change, do the substantially-warmer circumstances play any part...? Instead of the off-putting inky smell, I'm now getting the woods, which, for whatever reason, have a sophisticated, slightly elegant appeal to them. I'm literally blown away, because, if this is real, then, this fragrance has jumped from being a contender for the worst expenditure of my fragrance dollars ever to somewhere up in the group of those that I don't mind, at all, kinda like, and, can even begin to imagine situations that it'd fit into my life and activities. I'm gonna wait awhile, before rendering my final assessment, so that I can be certain that this good turn isn't just a one-off. But, trust that I am VERY pleased to have joined that group of folks for whom Lalique's Encre Noire A L'Extreme can hold a valued place in their fragrance collection.

Launched in 2015 and once again created by the talented Nathalie Lorson, Encre Noire À L’Extrême is the most intense, dense and resinous interpretation of the iconic Encre Noire line by Lalique. It preserves the woody, enigmatic and vetiver DNA of the original, but adds greater depth with resins, incense and noble woods, making it a bolder, more mysterious and captivating fragrance. Aroma and Evolution on the Skin The opening is dry, green and slightly resinous. Cypress continues to be a key element, offering that woody and dark freshness that we already know from the line. Elemi resin adds a balsamic and almost clean touch, and bergamot, although present, is discreet — its function here is more of a balancing one. The heart reveals the soul of the perfume: a luxurious vetiver with smoky, earthy and elegant nuances. The incense brings a mystical, resinous and subtly smoky air, which blends beautifully with the orris root, giving it a powdery, sophisticated and slightly melancholic touch. In the drydown, the perfume dives into a warm and enveloping base with balsamic benzoin, creamy sandalwood and earthy patchouli, closing with a rich, woody and almost oriental signature. It is a perfume with a lot of personality, which imposes itself without shouting. Performance Long-lasting: 9 to 10 hours Projection: Strong in the first 2 hours, then moderate Sillage (trail): Notable, especially indoors Ideal Occasions Cool or mild climates Nighttime use Formal or romantic encounters Sophisticated events Indoor environments with air conditioning Not ideal for intense heat — its density can be bothersome in high temperatures. It is a perfume of presence, class and contemplation, perfect for the man who likes to stand out with discreet elegance and olfactory power. Final Score: 8.7/10 Encre Noire À L’Extrême is possibly the artistic pinnacle of the Encre Noire line. It preserves the dark and vetiver essence of the original, but deepens the experience with resins, incense and a luxurious base. Introspective, seductive and elegant, it is a perfume for those who appreciate deep, dense fragrances full of personality. Ideal for cold nights, special moments and men who prefer perfumes that tell a story.

** A very sad/odd performance update** So, when Id initially purchased this GORGEOUS, "Niche level" Lalique fragrance, I was very dissapointed only bc at first it would last maybe an hour or two, to then basically DISSAPEAR wo a trace! The projection was also quite atrocious. So, I'd put it away (Maturation) for a good 3 to 4 months, and BOOM! problem solved! It became LEAGUES stronger, deeper, llonger lasting, more substantial, and Im talkin' all day longevity ON SKIN! So, excited and feeling triumphant, I'd put my bottle up in its own box, then in a crate with a lid, and stored it in my temp-controlled apartment for nearly a year now and havent worn it since bc I live in this whacky Florida-heat, plus I hardly ever go to any "Formal events" for which I feel this dna is meant for. Well, so out of nostalgia and curiosity, how bout I break out my bottle fully expecting that beautiful, dark, long-lasting woody/smokey/resinous/vetiver and barely nothing at all AGAIN, but what I instead got was a faint nuance of what EN L'extreme was just before Id stored it away for those 3-4 months!😮. Ofcourse I thought "Well, maybe i've simply gone instantly nose-blind bc this makes zero sense at all. So Id sprayed a bit more on my arm, waited maybe 10 minutes so it'd settle on my skin, and then had my brother sniff my arm and he'd said "I can smell something, but its very, VEEEERY WEAK". Say WWWHATT!? LOL! So frag-fam, can anyone please tell me whats going on here? Had I not sprayed enough out prior to letting my bottle maturate for those 3-4 months and so now I need to take those maturation steps AGAIN, or is that NOT a thing? Or do yall think its just "Gone Bad" after only owning my for only a year and a half or so? I know that the batchcode was from only 3 years prior, so its NOT that old, plus again, I store my bottles very, very well. Im just totally perplexed here! Lol! So por favor! Any feedback on this?? Thanks!!

Deep, dark and heavy masculinity. I cannot shake the unmistakable feeling of confidence and surety when I wear this. The smell all by itself paints a picture of a thousand words and transports you to another place entirely. It strongly resembles the evocative smell of walking through the forest on a foggy, misty afternoon during a gentle rainfall. You can smell the musky aroma of damp wood and wet undergrowth. You will feel as though a cool, grey mist were lingering about your surroundings obscuring any light or ability to see far. You can almost hear the light sprinkle of the raindrops as they pitter-patter against the leaves and foliage around you. But all the while, this fragrance induces a perfectly quiet serenity. There's no loud sounds or need to rush anything. All is calm and still. But once the incense fades into the scene things get even more personal. The incense creates a calming and secure feeling, similar to a home out in the middle of those mysterious woods. An old, but familiar and intimate residence. It's almost the place where you long to be. The projection of this masterpiece is quite phenomenal too. I can smell it lingering around my person throughout the course of the whole day. And even the next day, my clothes still emit the soft musky scent of it enough for others to notice. This modern and minimalistic aroma is greatly underappreciated. It smells very similar to Terre D'Hermes, but with more personality and deeper feeling. Every man should have this in his wardrobe, even if it's for occasional use. You will not be dissatisfied no matter what your preference or tendency is for cologne. This is completely inoffensive and entirely safe to use for anyone. This is more of a pleasing and evoking aroma than a fashion statement. Collective Rating: 9.8/10 Masculine, but serene; evoking and comforting.

So, this is a very VERY interesting one. One of my first blind buys as a newcomer to frag com, on one hand, it's one of the best things I've ever smelled. On the other, it's extremely situational and requires the right type of personality and setting to pull it off. The opening is almost harsh. The first 5 minutes are rooty grassiness with a slight freshness that projects the overall scent profile even more. This may be the part of the fragrance's life that turns away the most people. After the top notes disappear, for the next 8-9 hours, the scent takes me on a journey of visiting a remote temple and ending the trip with a sweet treat. The heart lasts for a long time and has decent sillage, where you will get constant whiffs of deep, earthy vetiver with elegant and slightly sweet woody incense. The incense is just as important as the vetiver and is what paints the picture of an ancient temple still visited by many, surrounded by dense woods. Its crazy attention-grabbing. The base shines through in the heart as well but after the 4-5 hour mark, the sillage is greatly reduced and you are left with a sweet benzoin-centric woodiness with slightly smoky incense. This part is I think the most mass-pleasing and lingers around for a good 3-4 hours. Anyone who is in close proximity at this point will get a uniquely masculine, resinous sweetness to die for. This Nathalie Lorson gem is one of my all time favorite frags and reviewed in depth here https://youtu.be/0xd0-qN_iRI?si=auLR4TDLt2KK8tlD

Does anyone else feel like you’ve just wandered into a Florsheim shoe store circa 1996, right after they unboxed a fresh shipment of oiled leather loafers and someone in the back was rubbing cedar polish into a mahogany shelf 30 minutes into the drydown? I realize that's rather specific, but for some odd reason that's where my mind went. It’s rich, dark, and woody in that very specific way: like expensive leather goods trying desperately to assert they belong in a mall full of Hugo Boss suits, Yankee Candles, and pagers. There’s acres of vetiver wrapped in a smoky cloud of nostalgia. You can practically hear the smooth jazz playing and feel the plush maroon carpeted hush under your feet. Imagine a recently divorced insurance adjuster buying himself a new belt and cologne at Macys to feel dangerous again. As the voidbitch below me wrote - THIS IS kind of, like... a generic older man spice fragrance, but in a good way. Considering the price point is similar to many popular dupes from Armaf, French Avenue and Lattafa; I feel this is a wise choice from an iconic perfume house deeply entwined with art, glassmaking, and French luxury. Avoid the dupes who exploit the creativity of original perfumers without credit or compensation.

Lalique’s Encre Noire A L’Extreme is a deeper, more intense take on the original Encre Noire, amplifying its dark, woody signature with added richness and complexity. A non-traditional scent opening with cypress and elemi, it quickly introduces a sharp green tone mixed with a hint of smoky incense. The heart is dominated by earthy vetiver—both Haitian and Javanese—which gives it a layered, almost meditative feel. Anything more than three sprays (depending on the temperature) may be overbearing. As it dries down, the base becomes warm and resinous, thanks to patchouli, sandalwood, and benzoin. There’s a smooth, balsamic depth here that balances the sharpness of the vetiver beautifully. Performance is impressive, with long-lasting wear and solid projection, making it ideal for cooler weather (fall & winter) and evening use. A L’Extreme is not a compliment getter. You won't feel sexy wearing it. You wear it for yourself; because you want to. It retains the elegance of the original but adds a bold, resinous strength that makes it feel more complete and enveloping. I also have Encre Noire and Encre Noire Sport but this is a more refined, introspective scent for those who appreciate darker, more mature compositions.

It's the original Encre Noire with more dimension. Slightly nuttier, the orris and sandalwood add some natural sweetness and smoothmess that makes it a bit more wearable, less stark, the resins also add some nice depth, the cypress blends in oppose to piercing through everything else. Whilst the vetivier in the original is incredibly cold and bleak, the vetiver in this one is more room-temperature and richer, but still pleasently dark and rooty, slightly damp. This smells like the forest floor of a conifer forest in the morning as winter's turning into spring. Re longevity, it gets quite hard to smell on myself after 5 hours or so, but this one seems VERY easy to go nose blind to and to have quite good longevity. I tried spraying a small amount on the back of my hand, going to sleep and could smell it when I woke up in the morning. Projection also may be stronger than I can tell when I'm wearing it. I don't know if it drops off significantly after the opening, but it's definitely stronger in the opening than I can detect when wearing it. When I first got it for Christmas, I gave it two full sprays on clothes, sat down in the family living room and EVERYONE could smell it.

Mild but not weak The opening hits like a glass of chilled, neat gin with the Cyprus reading more juniper until the bergamot wears down a bit. Beautiful vetiver bomb lent some intimate and sensual vibes by the orris root and Incense. Just nearly creamed and illuminated by the sandalwood and resins. No real patchouli until deep in the dry down. It seriously smells like camping in the cold of spring or like an old cabin. Really, really gorgeous. Probably the ideal understated male fragrance. Impossible to over spray but not at all meek or timid. Just a sleeper in the lazy fog of the forest floor. As you wear, the incense gives a dying campfire ambiance without the acidic, ashy smokiness you would have on your skin and clothing. It smells like the cold morning air after unzipping your tent on a damp, chilly camping trip, without all the gruffness that would make you pat your ribs and go "yup" while a woman hugging you would wrinkle her nose. It's fantastic. If you get it, congratulate yourself. Treat yourself to a shake next time you get McDonald's. You earned it. You made a baller decision.

In L'Extreme, Lorson takes her original creation and intensifies the distant spent bonfire, almost as if it is rewinded to when there were still glowing embers. The Haitian vetiver is thicker, in the foreground, and the woods are more of a humid grove of cypresses. Likewise, the patchouli is more pronounced, so here we do reach dank territory. Yet it's an inviting dank, one that is situated in the lighter corners of the forest, where more sun is allowed in. While Encre Noire leans more Gothic, L'Extreme is rather rustic by comparison. It also reminds me of certain aromas I have encountered in the wetlands that lie adjacent to the woods, as I traverse boardwalks in a sanctuary and and surrounded by marsh, reeds, cattails, and such. This blend of vegetation, trees, smoke, and damp earth illustrates more of a raw, Arcadian experience than so many so-called "niche" creations that have followed it. Beware, though—Lorson lays the Iso E Super on thick here, so one may become anosmic if it's over-applied.

Absolute work of art! I've seen some weird-ass reviews of this, saying it smells of death, it is the darkest fragrance of all time, you only smell this when you open a coffin - you know, weird shit! But this truly is a phenomenal fragrance. Yeah, it grabs you by the seat of your kecks and yanks hard but who doesn't like a good seat-of-the-pants yank every now and then? It will open with what is the Encre Noir signature - a little cypress and a little mint - then comes the vetiver, and what a vetiver it is! Beautiful grassy, woody, a little dirty, vetiver! If you don't like vetiver, don't go near this fragrance. Then you get hints of smoke, but not too much. And you get a flourish of patchouli on the drydown, but it is the vetiver that gets the knees weak and the juices flowing. Get it, you will not regret it. 👍 ...Unless you've buried your latest victim in the woods and that is why this frag reminds you of death. I mean, grow up people? Or stop burying bodies in vetiver!!!

It's almost dawn at an early autumn campsite. You awaken under a heavy, clinging mist which lets you see only about twenty feet up into black branches and gray air. Beside you, last night's blaze of logs and dead leaves is about to surrender its night-long fight against the damp. Yet a few final wisps rise defiantly as it smolders down to nothing, the ghost of the fire compounding with the scents of earth and fog. You close your eyes again, deep in 'mono no aware,' inhaling the fading moment before it passes forever. A tinge of melancholy as you breathe in the moment and hold it: you know such tranquility as this will likely not come again. You exhale very slowly. The fire dies, but the moment of its passing is retained. The warming sun breaks through, vanquishing the gray. Now the mists begin to die. You'll miss them too. On the other side of you, a body moans softly, stirs, sighs. Warm. A bare foot caresses yours. You are alive.

A very risky blind-buy but i'm glad to say it paid off. I didnt expect anything like this, i bought it because i love incense and i've been looking for the perfect fragrances that incorporate it. i haven't tried the original or the Sport, but now im very intrigued. This is so dark, yet not heavy or cloying. It smells like earth, wood, moss and incense. This is listed as Winter/Fall but this can be worn any time of year, except maybe very hot summer days. I cant think of anything that smells similar, and I got this for £20 and yes it smells much more expensive, but without actually trying. After looking up the perfumer, im not surprised it is so impressive, Nathalie Lorson has made some of the most incredible fragrances on the market at all price points, including another inexpensive banger Bentley for Men Intense. Try before you buy, but try it if you get a chance. This leans older 30+ imo.

When I first received this as a blind buy I was not impressed. It has been sitting in my wardrobe for the summer, but now the temps are dropping I have been wearing it for a few days. I have gotten numerous compliments from family members and friends saying they like it. It is subtle not a monster and it smells great. Not like your super sweet generic fragrances, which I am appreciating now after overdosing on sampling in the last few months building out a collection. This is a cheap purchase and it is turning into one of my preferred fragrances. I think it is perfect for autumn/winter casual wear. Working from home or in office it is not going to offend anyone. There is a slight sweetness that comes through the green. I like it overall and wearing it more and more now. First sniff on paper I was like no way, but a couple months later and now it is yes way!

I normally don't write reviews, I think it might be my first one. I couldn't resist sharing my experience with this one though, it is EXACTLY what i've been looking for! I came across "The Smell Of weather Turning" by Lush many years ago but never bought it because it barely lasted a couple hours on me (it's also pricey at $200 CDN). The first whiff of this brought me back to the first time I smelled TSOWT BUT ON STEROIDS! Open scene; someone taking a slow, casual walk in the forest after a heavy rain, mist still hanging in the air. Suddenly they come across a stick of incense smouldering inside a rotting tree trunk and just stand there soaking up the senses. Earthly, dark and moody. I'm happy to say that Encre Noire a L'Extreme lasts easily 5 hours and then turns into a skin scent until I go to bed. Just powerful enough. All this for under $40! 10/10

The woods were there but they have all burned down. Nobody knows how or why – all is left are the charred stumps and parched earth. It starts to rain lightly very lightly for the first time in months – but the sun continues to blaze through. In the distance you see an enormous fire has been lit on the hill with the strange temple. Woods and parchments and aromatics of peculiar varieties have been dumped upon it and great clouds are wafting over, carried over on the light rain and sunshine. You see enormous tattered colourful weatherbeaten flags being unfurled, catching the breeze, whipping themselves against the grey stonework. Strange men in dark grey robes sombrely move in shadows beneath ancient wooden beams. Is this for the catastrophe that has been? Or for one come? Or has this always been their way? Nobody knows. Perhaps all three.

Anyone who complains that this fragrance is short lived, or lacks "projection and longevity", is going noseblind. What's wrong with some of you? 20+ sprays? Lord have mercy!! This is a powerhouse that will kill your nose with ease. Several sprays close to your nose will induce temporary olfactory fatigue, AKA noseblindness. 2 sprays should last you all day. Try spraying as far away from your nose as you can. Spray your knees. Spray your back. Spray a shirt in the other room. Spray it on your neighbor. Hold your breath for a moment while you spray, then run out of the room and close the door behind you. It's THAT strong. Encre Noire A L'Extreme is a dark, inky, meditative beast that will take you to the pews of an abandoned cathedral, buried in the woods, ALL DAY, if you use your brain and apply it correctly. edit: grammar

Ahhhh,Encre Noire A L'Extreme...A must have if you like resinous and smokey notes...I am comparing it to a cheap knockoff sample of Black Afgano and they are pretty similar...Encre Noire leans to the sweeter incense side while "Black Afgano" is more smokey and harsh like you are actually holding a freshly burnt item. I wore this to a halloween edm party while being a zombie..I'd say its a perfect fragrance for that exact setting...Doesnt last long on skin but its okay on clothes,like every Encre Noire flanker....Bottle is minimalist and insanely high quality,wooden cap and nice orange/black split through the middle...You could overspray this but it might make you lightheaded,its screaming when you first spray it on...Lovely stuff Lalique!

Very niche smelling winter fragrance at a great price. I like both the original and this one. The original really does smell just like black ink (shellac/Indian ink) whereas I agree with another reviewer that this is more like a pencil or pencil shavings. A beautifully rich smoky fragrance with a lot of incense up top. Very different from what is usually popular so many won't 'get it' as it is light years away from the trend of smelling like food. Instead this smells more like furniture or a room or going camping and lighting fires. I have to say it is quite exciting to wear this as is it very transportive and almost meditative. It is an experiential perfume and for this reviewer it makes these two fragrances oddly nostalgic and moving.