Encens Imperial by Note33

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The notes this niche house typically features take center stage in each phase, but they aren’t the only players; you can find the full list on their Facebook page.

Opening: black pepper, blackcurrant, and saffron. Heart: myrrh. Base: benzoin and ambergris. Without a doubt, myrrh is the absolute star of this elixir, followed by benzoin, which, though less obvious, plays a key role with its vanilla undertones and nuances. At first, saffron and black pepper stand out against a resinous, sweet backdrop, with a tiny fruity touch—maybe from the blackcurrant or because pink pepper has that hint, either way, it’s negligible and just a detail within a sea of sweet, balsamic, and spicy resin, a true delight. This opening is understated, and soon myrrh claims its throne: a smoky myrrh over a bed of benzoin and amber, elegant, sober, and exquisite. As a lover of these resins, I couldn’t bring my nose to my wrist without drooling; it’s incredible. From here, the scent stays almost linear, except for countless nuances that come and go along the way until it fades to the skin. Some nuances are balsamic and creamy, others sweet and dry, even spicy, but always with a beauty comparable to the splendor of Eastern palaces. Yes, as you’ve probably guessed, it’s identical to Myrrhe Imperiale from the Armani Prive collection. The resemblance is astonishing; when I first smelled it, I couldn’t believe it. One of the most notable differences is that this Encens Imperial is smokier; the incense note is more prominent. Otherwise, it’s almost exactly the same Myrrhe Imperiale, but in my opinion, improved. The performance is excellent; so far, I’ve worn it for about 8 hours, and it’s still detectable. The trail is moderate to low, just like Myrrhe Imperiale. I should clarify that I only sprayed it once on my wrist, so with a few more sprays, the performance would increase considerably. I still think perfumes like this are meant for personal enjoyment or delight, or to share in the intimacy of a date, not to grab attention; they are suggestive, intimate scents with explicit beauty that imply more than they show, turning everything around into a mystery you’re eager to discover… It’s a nighttime scent, suited for cool and temperate climates, not for any occasion. It’s more for special events, the kind you’ll want to wear whenever you need a boost of confidence and sensuality. If you love Myrrhe Imperiale but can’t afford it, indulge in your joy because here you have your beloved fragrance at a quarter of the price, and if you enjoy high-quality resinous, incense-forward oriental scents, add this to your list because it won’t disappoint; highly recommended.

• Myrrh
• Price
• Amber
• Benzoin