Top Notes 
Madagascan pepper
Davana
Heart Notes 
Plum
Oak wood
Bran absolute
Base Notes 
Siam benzoin
Java vetiver
Patchouli
Virginia cedar
DRKSHDW
132 Reviews
DRKSHDW
Helpful Review
3
A FIRESIDE PLUM COGNAC DREAM
I did a little "blind" sniff test with this one — basically, I sprayed a sample without reading the note breakdown and tried to guess what I was smelling. The very first impression? It was like biting into one of those decadent chocolates filled with cherries soaked in cognac liqueur. But not the outer chocolate shell — no, it was all about the filling: that rich mix of dark fruit and booze. Then came a smoky nuance. I initially guessed guaiac wood, but it turns out it's most likely Java vetiver, which can carry a similarly smoky character.
Curiously, when I finally looked up the note pyramid, I was surprised to see it didn’t list any boozy notes at all. Instead, it features oakwood — the very wood used to age cognac in barrels. The scent is named Bonne Chauffe, a reference to the second distillation step in cognac production. And Frapin, of course, is a house with deep roots in fine cognac, so if anyone knows how to bottle the smell of cognac, it’s them.
And yes, the cognac accord is absolutely dominant in the opening. What I initially mistook for cherry turned out to be a tart plum note. As the fragrance develops over the course of the day, the benzoin starts to emerge, adding a beautiful resinous warmth to the blend. Nothing here smells synthetic or exaggerated. The smokiness softens considerably after the first 2–3 hours, allowing the benzoin to shine. It’s warm, lightly sweet, and resinous, with fruit and cognac lingering in the background like a memory of last night’s drink.
It’s long-lasting, with moderate projection — noticeable but never aggressive. In fact, Bonne Chauffe is one of Frapin’s more powerful offerings. Definitely a scent for fall and winter. Picture yourself lounging by the fireplace, a glass of aged cognac in one hand, a plate of dried plums on the table, and zero responsibilities for the rest of the evening. That’s Bonne Chauffe.
This isn’t a linear scent — it evolves in distinct stages and never feels boring to wear. If I had to compare it to Angel’s Share by Kilian, arguably the most famous “cognac + oak + sweet” fragrance, I’d say Bonne Chauffe feels far more authentic in its boozy character. In Angel’s Share, the cinnamon and sugary notes quickly dominate, morphing the scent into something reminiscent of spiced apple pie. And the cognac feels more like an idea than an ingredient. Bonne Chauffe, on the other hand, is drier, less sweet, and features a much more realistic take on booze. There’s no cinnamon bomb here. Instead, you get a beautifully balanced blend of smoky vetiver, tart plum, and the richness of aged oak. It feels like the grown-up, fireside version of the genre.
Curiously, when I finally looked up the note pyramid, I was surprised to see it didn’t list any boozy notes at all. Instead, it features oakwood — the very wood used to age cognac in barrels. The scent is named Bonne Chauffe, a reference to the second distillation step in cognac production. And Frapin, of course, is a house with deep roots in fine cognac, so if anyone knows how to bottle the smell of cognac, it’s them.
And yes, the cognac accord is absolutely dominant in the opening. What I initially mistook for cherry turned out to be a tart plum note. As the fragrance develops over the course of the day, the benzoin starts to emerge, adding a beautiful resinous warmth to the blend. Nothing here smells synthetic or exaggerated. The smokiness softens considerably after the first 2–3 hours, allowing the benzoin to shine. It’s warm, lightly sweet, and resinous, with fruit and cognac lingering in the background like a memory of last night’s drink.
It’s long-lasting, with moderate projection — noticeable but never aggressive. In fact, Bonne Chauffe is one of Frapin’s more powerful offerings. Definitely a scent for fall and winter. Picture yourself lounging by the fireplace, a glass of aged cognac in one hand, a plate of dried plums on the table, and zero responsibilities for the rest of the evening. That’s Bonne Chauffe.
This isn’t a linear scent — it evolves in distinct stages and never feels boring to wear. If I had to compare it to Angel’s Share by Kilian, arguably the most famous “cognac + oak + sweet” fragrance, I’d say Bonne Chauffe feels far more authentic in its boozy character. In Angel’s Share, the cinnamon and sugary notes quickly dominate, morphing the scent into something reminiscent of spiced apple pie. And the cognac feels more like an idea than an ingredient. Bonne Chauffe, on the other hand, is drier, less sweet, and features a much more realistic take on booze. There’s no cinnamon bomb here. Instead, you get a beautifully balanced blend of smoky vetiver, tart plum, and the richness of aged oak. It feels like the grown-up, fireside version of the genre.
DrB1414
DRKSHDW
Robbenbingo
Smoetn
