Gincense

The first time I saw the notes breakdown of Gincense I thought it was made for me and instantly bought it. I have worn it in several shifts and conditions that's why nowadays I think I understand it quite well. In my opinion the word that better describes Gincense is 'artisanal': this is not a 'refined' nor 'industrial' composition, it is quite 'homemade" instead, and you may notice this in view of the colour, opacity, density and even the final touch on the skin of this perfume. This is a sense of 'niche' I had not experimented before and though disturbing at the begining, definetely a positive point. Regarding the smell itself I would highlight the opening, true to that 'ginger co2 extract' in the list: not carnal or acuatic, it is a gaseous ginger that opens your nostrils with no mercy, quite shocking and daring. Fortunately it calms down soon later and you are left with an invigorating blend of marine and green notes (with laurels, ginger and the cypress-like thuja note standing out mainly) that tinge a dazzling frankincense note. Two versions of Gincense (2012 and 2015) were discontinued, which is a pity... I would be in for a third part of this story!

I absolutely love this stuff as a super fresh, aquatic take on incense. I definitely get that typical aquatic note (calone? I don't pretend to know for sure), which in most other fragrances I would hate, but I love how it combines with frankincense here and makes it oddly beachy. It somehow smells like salty air, cold water, and like you brought frankincense nuggets to the beach with you in a little container. You remove the lid, and their fragrant vapors are being released as they bake next to you under the sun. I get some nice woods here right from the start, which I am assuming is thuja. It's very fresh and beautiful and brings an aromatic green quality. I notice bay if I sniff my wrists up-close. I have worn Gincense a few times, but I really don't detect any ginger. It's simultaneously relaxing and refreshing. Excellent blind-buy! I love almost everything from Oliver & Co.

A pungent and aquatic incense,almost floral. The ginger flower here is very highlighted with the incense are the notes that I perceive more.... in the background emerge like a sweet breeze hints of violet leaves and lily of the valley. It is a spiritual unusual and very evocative parfum, and I am very surprised and happy to have tried it. The sillage is strong and the longevity is very good. Sillage: 7.5/10 Longevity: 8./10 Scent: 8.5/10 Overall: 8.5/10

Strange mangle of paradox - marine spicy? aldehyde incensey? dry ginger in seawater? - that somehow doesn't let me settle down comfortably with it. Odd greenish edge (I thought oak moss, but probably not) adds interest, and I even get a slight tinge of tanned leather in there too. It might be the bay leaf, aldehydes or galbanum - nearly always unwelcome guests at my party - which alienated me with this one, or it might be Oliver & Co's signature, slightly space-agey smellscape which for me is usually just a bit too metallic and laboratory-feeling for comfort. Definitely cold, refreshing outdoorsiness rather than anything comfy or warming. Yet the ginger element is very clearly front and centre, and nicely done. Unisex skewing masculine, but definitely one for those who like things experimental and edgy. Can appreciate it, but it's not really for me.

There’s a little more going on in this than expected once you get past the Tanqueray of the opening. It settles down to a fairly low-key bay leaf tinged insence. A hint of sweetness is tucked away in the mid. It’s unfortunate that the gin of the opening is just too potent an endurement to the skillfully blended tail end. Jasmine Et Cigarette by Etat Libre D’Orange is a more consistent, sexier entry in this genre.