L'incendiaire

Oh wow! This is a stunner. Very much in the vein of those heady, sweet leather fragrances like Tuscan leather, Clive Christian C, golden boy, AdP leather....etc etc... But crucially this has much more of a delicate touch. When I say that don't get me wrong it's just as deep as the counterparts I've mentioned but possibly has more dimensions in that I definitely smell more of an incense bias. It's sweet, warm, smoky and I can surely see why the name is becoming. Additionally it's more wearable (on a regular basis) than a Tuscan leather type scent. It has a touch of the noble incense about it, saffron smoothness and although not dominated by frankincense I definitely get that from L'incendiaire too. The only negative I can think of is that I didn't buy it in the spot. I do have Clive Christian C and have had the chance to get others (I view as pale in comparison) but for all it's likeness this new Serge Lutens still has merit and I suspect when trailed side by side the differences will be even more apparent. I loved it. Top marks from me. hmmmm...Update. Well I say above "...not dominated by frankincense..." ??? yeah...that's wrong. After a turbulent and opulent opening this fragrance dries down to a perfectly high quality and slightly darker Olibanum than usual...but it is just that....olibanum. I must've been nose blind first time out, I stick to what I said about L'incendiaire it gives a complex impression when first applied but doesn't take long to die down to a heady frankincense and I'm so sorry to SL and Sheldrake but I can get that (I except not quite this) elsewhere cheaper. It shouldn't be about money but in this case I have to pass on this fragrance.

Probably the most beautiful combination of frankincense and oud created in the world, this is an out of this world scent that is one of those where luxurious beauty is achieved without any concerns to price. The oud (in sap form) and incense (the most beautiful I have encountered) are beautifully blended with amber, castoreum, and a bit of tar to achieve a real otherworldly effect. Like the Phoenix emerging from the fiery ashes, this one really glows on your skin with with its beautiful and very pronounced sillage and projection. The beauty of this one lies in its understated refinement like Bois d' Encens. Next I need to address the issue of the price. I obtained the bottle at half of its retail and it still feels like an overindulgent luxury, even though it is so beautifully blended. But I think that was the point of the house in creating this perfume in the first place. Enjoy!

Notes identified by kafkaesqueblog - Ginger, cloves, cumin, plums, stewed fruits, incense, labdanum, amber, cedar, patchouli, styrax resin, tolu balsam, oud, brown sugar sap, possibly a pinch of birch tar. ---------- I find this to be an arrestingly beautiful and unique fragrance. It ebbs and flows gently, sometimes seeming light, then redoubling its brooding, throbbing burn, rather like the embers of a fire that don't die, but just keep glowing and cooling, then glowing again as breezes stir the remaining fuel. It manages to skirt several genres, never quite settling anywhere specifically, but always burning and glowing. It's a work of staggering technical genius to keep twisting and turning and playing tricks, all the while remaining one unified scent experience. For me this is a classic, unforgettable masterpiece, and I'll cherish what I have for as long as possible.

I bought a 5ml spray decant to get a better feel for L'incendiaire after previously sampling a tiny vial. It's not as strong as I remember from the first time but I do like it alot. It's a slightly chocolatey oud-musk-leather scent that by second wearing is very addictive. I don't get as much smoke or charred wood as I remember or as others mention below. Perhaps there never was any of that and my mind is playing tricks on me. Anyway, it's very pleasant and I think the most remarkable takeaway from L'incendiaire is that it's a perfectly balanced, luxurious, modern leather and oud fragrance. If it were a new Saint Laurent release that retailed for $90, with an ad campaign featuring Javier Bardem, it would be a hit. I hope it gets heavily discounted before it is discontinued because I will be forever wanting this. Good stuff.

After I sprayed my wrist with this I let out a gasp, it's that beautiful to me. Yes, the notes are all there,incense,oud, clove blah blah blah, but this is so much more than a perfume,this is hmmm...I don't know, this is emotion in a perfume bottle, I can feel this.