Rien Intense Incense Etat Libre d'Orange 2014

A wonderfully cool, mineral entry into the world of incense. Almost velvety, refreshing and yet slightly "gothic", the scent always made me think of the hidden and eerily beautiful Parisian underworld and its catacombs. They fit into the mental image in several ways: on the one hand, they are former quarries (mineral), which became the final resting place for millions of Parisians after the cemeteries became overcrowded (incense/grufti), but they are fascinating and, in connection with the location and the preservation of the sites, there is something macabre-romantic about them (rose).

While it starts quite mineral-incense focused and airy, it becomes drier and slightly more tart, but always retains this French lightness, this discreet volume and still manages to be present. In the course of the first 30-60 minutes, the leather note becomes more present, but for me it remains somewhere around 30% in terms of the fragrance character, incense and aldehydes remain dominant, the leather is freshly rubbed and rubbed suede, seems rather light and young. The rose is probably what gives the fragrance this toilet fragrance note for some in combination with the dryness and the aldehydes, I personally never really had to think about it, the mineral incense was too different. The rose is also more like a drop or two of rose water that has fallen on the suede, on which the mountain of mineral incense and quartz lies, the pepper gives a very small spice kick at the back, which you probably wouldn't always notice blindfolded.

For me, it's a very well-balanced and successful fragrance overall, but like many of the house's projects, the thought of "Who are they doing this for?" hovers in the air, apparently because they feel like it and I think that's fantastic. Unconventional and special. Would be a high candidate for my list if I didn't already have 2-3 incense fragrances too many. :)
Incidentally, with the quite respectable performance, especially for franz. Fragrance art, a real bargain at the price and then also often discounted.