Olibanum

My colleague, a straight male, opened my office door to chat and stopped mid-sentence to say: "You smell divine!". I think I do too! Olibanum is deep, resinous, smoky and intoxicating. The overall effect is comforting but with an unusual and mystical edge. One might think of tar or petroleum, but in an utterly fetching way. Well-crafted incense based scents have a reverence to them and this is no exception. As it develops, an animalic funk comes through upon close sniffing, however, it's never off-putting. In fact it serves to link the holiness to humanity. There is only a subtle nod to the top notes (lemon? pine?), keeping Olibanum firmly planted in the earth like the trees from which this scent was made. Overall I would say this leans masculine, but would be right at home on a confident, creative and perhaps bohemian woman. This is what I personally look for in a fragrance. The quality of the entire Profumum Roma line is outstanding, owing to their high concentration of oils. Olibanum is my first purchase from the house but I could have gone a number of others. I'm head over heals in love and it seems like others around me are too!

#1779 in my “Tour de Fragrance” Got this decant from scentsplit.com. So far I’ve loved "Ambre Aurea”, “Patchouly” and “Santalum.” I didn’t like “Arso” or“Neroli.” “Olibanum” is a grand slam for me. The name tells you all you need to know. I have never encountered a scent where I found myself saying, “They went overboard with the incense and myrrh” and this won’t be the first. It’s what I loved about “Santalum”, and to cut to the chase, this is “Santalum”, but more so. Spicier, smokier, more powdery, all around gothic church and bishop’s robes. I’d save this for fall and winter. Office wear if you have the gravitas for it. Evening wear if you make no excuses for wearing what you enjoy. Stellar longevity and projection. Definite a buy for me. I have encountered scents where it thought ingredients were out of balance, making the scent too screechy, too sharp, too sweet, but I’ve never encountered an incense scent that I found “overpowering” though many require judicious application for use in tight spaces. That’s what I recommend here. Until you have some sense of this scent's potency, apply judiciously. Good Luck and Good Hunting!

Opens up with a slightly citrusy effervescence, almost terpenic like freshly lacquered wood. Slightly resinous, and gets more resinous as it dries down. Kind of dry, and incense-y without really being very smoky. Almost has a bit of a cedarwood-ish "pencil shavings" vibe. Almost a bit of a camphor-ish brightness in the first couple of hours. Like most other Profumum Roma fragrances, it feels very natural, raw and rugged. Yet also smooth and refined. Mature and masculine. Austere. Longevity is crazy, even for Profumum Roma. After 4-5 hours it's still going strong but morphs into a more resinous and woody scent. This is also an example of how several Profumum Roma fragrances turn out very differently on skin than on a paper testing strip. On paper I first thought that this was kind of sharp, almost harsh, and felt like it lacked depth. On skin, however it really opened up and deepened and became much warmer. So yeah, when testing Profumum Roma fragrances, definitely try them on skin!

Profumum Olibanum is, as its name suggests, an incense-dominant fragrance, and one done very well. Smooth, strong incense dominate the scent. Mainly a combination of incense, sandalwood, and myrrh to my nose, surely this is a winter fragrance that leans masculine. I doubt I'd find myself wearing it in the summer heat. As with most Profumum fragrances I've tried, the care and quality of Olibanum is obvious. It reminds me of By Kilian Incense Oud in terms of both its incense dominance and smoothness, and especially since the orange blossom that some seem to find so apparent is so reticent in my own experience of the fragrance. Performance is unsurprisingly very strong, characteristic of the house, particularly its cold-weather-leaning offerings like this, Arso, Ambra Aurea, etc. Certainly full bottle worthy if I didn't already own By Kilian Incense Oud. 8 out of 10

(Second review after wearing this a lot more and owning a full bottle!) I like the opening, but I LOVE the drydown! The opening is quite fresh and a bit citrusy. This is where you can pick up on the orange blossom. As it dries down, it becomes more woody and resinous. Almost a bit peppery or cumin-like, with an overall vibe of fresh timber or sawdust. It doesn't smell "perfumey" at all, it feels very natural, raw and rugged. Both dirty and clean. The woody, resinous, peppery, almost-cumin-like aspect of the drydown can kinda give the impression of smelling a little bit sweaty. But, you know, like a nice, musky, inviting type of sweaty. This definitely isn't for everyone. But if you like smelling like raw olibanum resin and/or freshly cut lumber, then this is a real gem. Nothing else quite like it.

I was looking to smell like the incense that’s burned at a Catholic mass and this is it. Nothing more, nothing less, but in the most beautiful way possible. There’s no patchouli which is a huge plus for me. Even my husband thinks it smells just like incense, and he and I usually have wildly different interpretations of the same fragrance. My untrained nose picks up only slight myrrh and orange blossom (which I love anyway) but they’re not distinct notes, they just round out the incense. Seven hours in I pick up some cumin, the first time of which was only mildly alarming because it’s gone in an instant. Then it’s back to the heavenly meditativeness left by incense curls hours earlier. A must have if you love incense.

On me this is quite a simplistic fragrance. One huge wallop of myrhh at the start with the incense and sandalwood coming up close behind. Now, where the neroli is in this is a mystery for me. Neroli is not really a lightweight note but olibanum and incense are heaviy basenotes and I think its been drowned out. I think its the sandalwood note in the mix that is making this a particular love for me. I think its very unisex but then Im biased. My main loves are the balsamic and woody fragrances. Phenomanel longevity and big sillage. Somehow with woody and balsamic fragrances a big sillage is not quite as disturbing for others if perchance you are trapped in a full lift lol

Wow!!! I'm happy. So reading the review below as I post this and I got a bit of a green note in the opening too but generally this is thick with resinous spicy Myrrh and sandalwood. It's exactly what I'd pictured in my minds eye/nose so in that sense linear and predictable to a degree. I for one am glad, too often I look forward to a fragrance simply named after a note and it doesn't deliver that note as expected. Great dry down, superb quality only negative thing is that it's pricey stuff for something that isn't a complex composition. Only minor criticism really because I love Olibanum and any other incense resin lovers will love it too.

Olibanum, olibanum... my lovely fragrance. It inspired me to start lovely journey to the scents world. My first niche fragrance. I was collecting money to buy it for very long time. I remember for how long I was impressed that this is the best fragrance ever made. Heaven in the bottle. Since that time I never found better incense fragrance. I bought African olibanum to compare the smell and it is exact interpretation of it. There is no other fragrances that are full, deep mix of both olibanum resin and olibanum fume. Now I have my second bottle for special use... only for intimate time in my life.

A somber masculine leaning incense perfume. In this case like most Profumum offerlings, the note pyramid is deceptively simple. Just 3 more ingredients: Orange blossom, myrrh and a slight touch of sandalwood. The resulting juice is a simple yet dense, resinuous and warm fragrance that reflects the absolutely high quality of ingredients it contains. Long lasting with moderate to strong sillage and projection. Beautifully blended and frightfully expensive. However a lovely and very natural smelling and feeling perfume. Enjoy!

Sorry to shout, but in just one word: HEAVENLY. Insanely beautiful, if you truly love wood + incense + resins. Dry yet rich, airy yet intense. For me, as with other P Roma things, not as smoky as billed - it's lush and rounded, not at all sharp or acrid. Stunning. Had my nose glued to my wrist for hours. Can't express how much I love it. I wish it were even bigger - the first projection is extrovert but it mellows down and quiets down fast, to one of the most seductive skin scents I can imagine. Want, want, want.

my goodness, this is a longevity beast! an extremely smokey, slightly dusty incense with a hint of bitter orange in the beginning. the bitterness fades away during the drydown and resinous warmth takes lead, which makes it all the more alluring. do i think this is your typical church incense scent? no, there's something more raw and natural about it, almost earthy. absolutely love it!

This is quite niche, but a very good incense fragrance. I must admit, there is a slight accord of BO. I once wore this while grocery shopping and I noticed it while I was in the store. Slightly embarrassed I rushed home lol. That being said, I only wear this around the house, while I am alone and in deep meditative thoughts. There's something very spiritual about this one.

I get incense and warm woods. It’s quite bitter at first but mellows a little over time. It reminds me of the smell of a warm and well used sauna. A wonderful and comforting scent especially suited for the colder part of the year. Longevity is good and sillage is very good. Only downside is that it is very oily. You will glow and get oil stains on your clothes.

Best woody frankincense I've come across (Amouage, you should be jealous!). In the same ballpark as CdG Avignon and Armani Bois d'Encens, but this is rounder, fuller, more natural, lasts longer and has an absolutely gorgeous drydown. Warm and comforting. If you're a fan of the above named fragrances and haven't tried Olibanum you're missing out!

Fantastic fragrance, the shopkeeper told to me that it has a "green incense" note what is different from the other incenses that is used and that is why it has a kind of green, pine-fresh feeling, and not so much that dark churchy incense as others have. It is a meditative, deep, green forest kind of feeling for me.

Dirty and earthy incense. I get more vetiver and no orange blossom. Very earthy and is more masculine than feminine. It dries down to an Encre Noire type but much more appealing. Incense and vetiver are the key notes that I detect. Very long lasting with great projection.

Having a Manhattan in the rectory. Found this while on my search for the perfect "Catholic church incense" fragrance, though this isn't quite that. Olibanum, pungent bitter orange, and an acrid edge that others have compared to BO. Whatever it is, I love it.

One of the best fragrances I've smelled yet. I just got a bottle and I could wear this everyday. So resinous and beautiful! A perfect blend that just makes me feel amazing. I hold this fragrance in very high regard.

Extraordinary, realistic, impressive olibanum surrounded by orange blossom and waxed wood. It is just a masterpiece to me. Medieval cathedral inside - dinstinctive, intriguing, peaceful. One of my favourites.

Opens somewhat bitter, but quickly becomes fresh and creamy in the drydown. Beautiful insence, myrrh scent, some neroli/orange blossom and sandalwood. Great peformance, sillage and longevity. Very nice! 92

alt note: church incense🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 i have a decant and i absolutely love this on my skin and also church incense 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 edit: layer this with something airy or rainy. melancholic 10/10

My bottle is almost empty. :( Some more affordable suggestions to replace it? Please don't tell me Rock Crystal, it doesn't have the same nice orange blossom note. Please MP.

Lovely incense and is almost identical to Bruno Acampora Iranzol that was produced in 1975 from another italian house. Nice.

I just wrote a review on another incense fragrance I recently tried, as I am trying to expand my fragrance wardrobe beyond my usual animalic-woodsy-resinous-spicy-dirty scents. I actually mixed up some of the information about Olibanum (like pricing) in with the other review (Biehls MB03) and I think that about sums it up for me. Olibanum is a nice enough scent but given all the hype and the hefty price tag, I imagine I was expecting something a lot more exotic, outstanding and original than what came out of the bottle. Like Biehls MB03, which I actually liked more than Olibanum, this fragrance is very nice but something didn't sit quite right on me...literally. To me, Olibanum didn't project enough of ANY scent, literally...and perhaps that is the allure. Olibanum is smoky...but very faint; leathery...but mild; church-y incense but fleeting (not good silage...this one wears close to the skin; not great staying power). Floral..a bit; powdery...no. Spicy...yes. The list goes on and on. The dry down smelled way too burnt for me (beyond smoky), which I did not like at all...almost smelled like freshly placed hot road tar. To sum it up, Olibanum left me feeling very confused :0( This is a nice fragrance but for the price (I actually quoted Biehl MB03 @ $265 per 3.3 ml, which is the price for Olibanum...MB03 is more like $185 per 3.3 ml), this fragrance didn't quite hit the mark. I think there are equally nice fragrances that are more affordable...some that aren't quite as confusing. Also, Olibanum made my eyes and nose runny...not so sure what that is all about :0(

On the website they say: "...Rumbling footsteps in the secular gothic arches of the Saint Michel cathedral." There's a prominent note in this composition that reminds me of graphite, of something that is dark grey, nearly black, but also clear and bright when is reflecting light. This note is sustained by the incense that gives a sacred vibe and is very much evocative of a gothic cathedral, and surrounded by the natural warmth of myrr, sandalwood and orange blossom. Walking on the dark, cold stone floor of the cathedral illuminated by the rays of sunlight through the window panes, reaching the exit and looking out to a sunny spring day. This perfume is not particulary fresh but gives like a cold and meditative vibe. Quite incense forward. Maybe not the most versatile. Very pleasing and interesting anyway.

This is realy nice olibanum fragrance without churchy connotation. When I first smelled it I was quite impressed and I found it very simillar to Durbano's masterpiece Rock Crystal. But after direct comparison I starded to think that Olibanum is uglier and much less complex brother of RC. Simplicity of Olibanum isn't really a bad thing, it's actually quite good, because allows me to smell clearly all the notes - cold and slightly bitter olibanum, spicy and sweet myrrh and characteristicly cold and white smell of orange flowers. These flowers are problem for me, at first I liked them but after that they started to annoy me. They are just too strong for my taste. The bottom line is that Olibanum is pretty incense perfume with too strong orange flowers note, but loses most of its charm when compared with RC.

Olibanum had been in my wish list since 2 years ago but, I might add, does not meet my expectation. Probably the olibanum note is difficult to make something really novel nowadays. It is overall an interesting take on the incense note. I do not get too much myrrh but pure olibanum with a touch of neroli, which smells truly divine, despite lack of something that is novel. Similar interpretation as this Olibanum can be seen in a few offerings from Maria Candida Gentile, which probably do not have such purity but arguably possess more sophistication. Another similar smell comes to my mind is Tom Ford Vert d'Encens , inspired by Olibanum If I am right, just with no citrus note and lack of woody nuance. Rating: 7.5-8/10

Uplifting, fresh olibanum with a hint of orange blossom. Initially there's a bit of balminess from myrrh and a cinnamon-like touch but it fades quite fast. This is fresher than I expected and not very smoky (in the sense I think of burning frankincense). To me the olibanum opens piney and citrusy, almost lime-like and becomes round and smooth in dry-down, yes, the dry-down really is lovely. I might prefer it without the orange/orange blossom. I live in a northern climate and would wear this for spring and summer. Beautiful scent-trail and long lasting.

Solitude (2006) Scentrack: Fleetwood Mac - Dreams Great scent, but not perfume. Realistic smell of resins, pine wood, cedar with a little bit of burning incense. Very dry, semi-dense, rustic, rough and intimate. The smell of a place with no materialistic civilization rules. The smell of the fireside inside the wooden chalet in deep dark forest. The smell of the personal catharsis ongoing. The smell of problem solving. The smell of broken dreams and new ideas. Rating: 7/10

I get a sweet orange blossom, a lot more than the note list is showing, with some sweet myrrhe and incense. I guess the smooth santal is also here, but its an odd, yet very nice to smell mixture of these notes. The orange blossom is a weird, but right choice for this, it somehow throws the scent off, and makes it fun and full of personality at the same time. I think as the time goes on, the incense starts to show its head and then you understand whats going on...

Really enjoying this–a good sacramental but not churchy incense, lots of resin, with a soft IES cushion. The only struggle I've had is that this pulls very foody for the first 45 minutes on my skin--I get strong fenugreek seed, maybe a little cumin, too? So I have to spray it awhile before I go out, because I find this aspect super challenging and kind of icky. I'm spraying in hot summer weather, which might be the issue. Anyone else experience this?

Don't get me wrong, this perfume is a masterpiece but I need them to take it down a notch, this perfume is so intense and lasts forever, and this to me is a problem because after a while it becomes overwhelming and offending. I love this smell but I don't wear it unless Im ready to be choked by my own bubble scent. Anybody got tips on how to tone this perfume down ?

When I first tried this fragrance, it smelled like very moldy cardboard...not a good thing to my nose. But subsequent wearings fared better, and I began liking the smoky, resinous character. An interesting scent for cooler and colder weather.

Very strong stuff, I get more myrrh than olibanum, a salty smoky raw myrrh. Very interesting smell I have never used something like this although I can't say I like it. It's more like an ambient scent than perfume.

The orange blossom note is very nice. Otherwise it's just nutty/peppery incense. Definitely better than Santalum. Sadly it doesn't project well... Scent 7/10 Performance 5/10 Versatility 5,5/10

the scent is woody, clean and there's a slight dusty quality to it. the image it conjures is of human skin covered in the thinnest layer of a nice wood finishing oil.

It's nice, but in view of the many incense offerings on the market, I think there might be as interesting (and cheaper) options around.

I agree with the below reviews there is orange here. A Priest robe unwashed with orange. Very churchy.

Fresher and lovelier than Santalum at first (orange blossom). But then turns "cold damp smoky", like the smell of an ancient cathedral.

This smells very peppery! Then it becomes powdery and woody. Smells masculine. -

It is niche version of Azzaro visit...

No myrrh, no olibanum just bitter orange peel and cedar to the point that it almost smells poisonous. I wear the stuff since I bought it, but im actually really tired of it. Olibanum isn't that heavy in my opinion, and neither is church incense. Both are quite nuanced. Olibanum is kind of powerful and a few notes in a way that isn't just beautiful in its simplicity, it kind of banal. Its like a bad guitar solo.

I ordered a sample of Olibanum. As I tried it, I realized, that there is the same unfortunate resin is used in Arso from the same house, which smells like overfried mothballs in rotten clove oil.And it's not olibanum (frankincense) but a very misfortuned art of Myrhh I believe. May the parfum rest in peace.I totally gave up giving another chance to the parfum house by any means.

This smells like gasoline to me. Does not remind me of incense at all (and I have tried many: Larmes du Desert, Full Incense, Avignon, Tauer's, etc). It's very green and I think will be appealing to those people who like the smell of gasoline because of its strong chemical "vibe". Not a safe perfume at all, I could see many people being potentially very bothered by this smell.

34)what a strange mix than this orange blossom with incense. It's green, next it's a little bit citrus and at the end the incens is "soft" like the smell of a hundred melted candle in a chapel. It's weird and, like with everything with orange blossom, a little bit painfull for my nose. For a hot and comfortable incense I'm always in love with Jaisalmer (Comme des Garçons).

It's giving priest's robe that's never been washed. Orange peel and B.O. with a hint of incense. On paper it was incensier with an orange twist. On skin, it smells like a Manhattan on the rocks and bad decisions.

Been on an incense kick lately. This is quite masculine and harsh in the opening. Doesn't soften much at all. Not for me although I love the house and their quality.

اي عطر سيئ لا احب الكتابه مطولا عنه وهذا العطر لا اعلم كيف صنع البخور في اسوأ صوره من وجهة نظري سأقوم بتجربة عطرين اخرين للبخور لعل وعسى ان يتم تعويضي هههه

I've tried this twice on myself now - first time was a cold day and it was one I kept sniffing on my wrist. I like it because it lasts, unlike say Victrix which quickly dissolved into my skin despite its very nice smell. It's an unusal scent - these insense smells might be hit and miss with some people, they are more challenging than a typical "nice" smell. But I was after something a bit more edgy, darker, something that says, "keep your distance" whilst at the same time is intoxicating and draws people in. A dark Siren! I think that Olibanum is the one. I've tried the Armani/Prive "Bois d`Encens" which is Armani's take on cool, dark catherdrals which is what I believe PR are trying to do with Olibanum. Although the Armani was quite interesting, this Olibanum just punches above its weight. Because it's odd (and expensive), I had to try it on my skin a second time. This time however was a muggy hot day. On the cold day I was thinking to myself that this could be worn in warmer months. I had noticed a menthol vibe to it as it dried down, not a note anyone else has mentioned. I do not get the citrus although when I presented my wrist to a co-worker, the first thing he said was, "citrus". 'Go figure', as the Americans say! Now... on the hot day, I was in a relatively packed tube train right after spraying on my neck and both wrists. I was wafting the stuff! I noticed mnay heads on the train do that head-lifting thing and sniff the air and look around - this stuff carries on the air for sure. But it was hard to tell what they were thinking... it's more the myterious aspect that I think was grabbing their attention. I myself was hot and could feel sweat building on my skin and I felt this was not working this time with Olibanum. I thought, "ah, this is why people say this is a winter scent". The sweat seemed in my mind to be turning it into a polluted oil-slick type of affair. It seeemed to reduce its potency on sniffing it. However, back at work, after my "citrus" male co-worker, I let the hot Polish girl I'd been flirting with all morning sniff it. (I directed her to sniff my neck not my wrists ;) - she burried her head in it and sighed, "Oh my God.. that's not fair... " Is it nice? I aksed her. "YES! she exclaimed. "It smells like sex!" That's the kind of response I like to hear ;) She is currently single and muttered something about how "that would keep her going until..." Anyway - later that same day I went to see another girl who I'm actually dating. During our "embrace" I noticed her sniffing deeply into my neck. Again, like the people on the train, more of an inquisitiveness than outright, "OMG what is that I have to have some!!!" Afterwards I asked her if she liked it. She said it was "OK" but she preferred what I wore last time. (I believe a mixture of Byredo's Oud Immortel and Gucci Pour Homme 1) So, there you have it, strange, mixed reactions from "I like it, it's OK" to "it smells like sex" and sending a girl crazy in her mind. I think that's what this perfume is suppsoed to do - baffle, confuse, intrigue, excite, deter.. all at once. Best on cold rainy days I think. But if you want that sweaty, post-coital messy-hair effect, wear it on hot days too... ;P