Shanaan

Shanaan opens with a blast of petitgrain (vaguely reminding me of Tauer Incense Extreme at that stage), that will morph quickly towards a smoky-woody (nearly) pure olibanum, with woody support. A hint of citrus will escort the olibanum during the whole journey, and only in the base does a subtle touch of labdanum round the edges. Projection is soft/moderate and longevity is great, an overall performance as expected for an EDP. Overall very similar to CdG Avignon, and the crowds of similar usual suspects to follow. It is a bit more airy and better fine-tuned thanthe "other" incense fragrances out there, that said the differences are very subtle and hard to notice without sticking the nose on the skin. This is one of the first to have followed the incense trend opened by the CdG incense series and would definitely recommend it to who doesn't already own a churchy incense fragrance in their collection, as it would be very redundant with Avignon, Heeley Cardinal and most of all Montale Full Incense. If, like me, you're found of incense, get it anyways haha In any cases, a great straightforward incense, decently priced on ebay. Colder days, 30+ ⁝

Shanaan captures, more wholly and more accurately than any other scent I've ever experienced, not only the scent but the sinewy and vaporous feel of true frankincense resin smoke. From the moment it hits your skin until the moment the last tendril of scent caresses your olfactory bulb you are treated to wonderful and therapeutic frankincense smoke. It is so accurate it is almost eerie. To discuss notes with this fragrance is missing the point - every note here is utilized to perfection in the frankincense smoke accord. Sublime, and as Aur-ha-kadosh said, very zen. The only question is - do you want to smell like frankincense smoke all day long? This is a scent I love conceptually although rarely feel inclined to wear; but every now and again the mood strikes and Shanaan is the perfect scent to wear and nothing, nothing at all could replace it or do its job better than it does.

Shanaan is less bitter than Avignon, less sweet than Full Incense, and smoother than both. It is so smooth that it is difficult to pick out individual notes, very well blended and airy. Leans slightly feminine, but it's still unisex. Full bottle worthy for incense fans and for those looking for an elegant, understated incense to add to their wardrobe.

NAG-CHAMPA/GUAIC WOOD HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!! If I had to have only one 'incence-type' fragrance this would be it! If this is what it smells like during Catholic Mass it wouldn't convert me but I would be interested in just standing in the church just to smell this in the air. Actually I feel that CdG's "Avignon" is more 'Mass-like". I want my home to smell like this and even though I burn incense I rarely get a scent this pure perhaps because there is none of the burnt wood scent that goes along with an incense stick burning. Perhaps I may find a cone-scented version. If I am ever so lucky to obtain a bottle I will surely experiment with it in my oil burner. It has put me in a good mood just sniffing my hand. :D This is one step up from my initial M. Micallef frag 'Gaiac". Luckyscent does not currently carry it so I will have to hunt it down elsewhere. I get no lemon or petit grain. The cedar is faint, overpowered by the labdanum, patchouli, amber and musk. I think a hefty dose of guaic wood and Molecule 01 would come close to giving off a similar scent. Divine. Just divine!

it opens and stays the first minutes a perfect copy of Incense de Montale but it is less powerfull and more subtle and sinuous, i like this perfume but will not buy it cause it is weak to me, i can't smell it after 3 minutes and i love scents i can smell on me all the time, the kind of scent which renews its power and not like this one which begins and then dies little by little ! i prefer auto regenerating perfumes lol but still it is a spiritual perfume, very zen and quiet