Encre Noire Lalique 2006 Eau de Toilette

6xxx users* own this fragrance. The dry and completely humorless presentation alone justifies its inclusion in a beautiful collection. The bottle is great, straightforward and discreetly dominant. It simply stands there, in black. The dark, cuboid wooden lid gives some people the impression that it is made of dark wood. There it is: black, chunky and heavy. Not a nasty block, but clear black edges. "ENCRE NOIRE" in clear lettering. Period.
Based on the many comments and descriptions, the expectation is clear and set. Full of anticipation for "wet forest floor", "trampled resinous needles", "high cool humidity"... A clear liquid with hints of ink (could also be royal blue) and pencil shavings (B2) squirts out of the neat atomizer. Very nice. A metallic base is perceptible, overlaid by the inky pencil shavings. The combination of ingredients is very successful here. The vetiveryl acetate is probably mainly responsible for the first impression. Very clear so far. Industrial. The lead abrasion nuance gives something industrial - metal processing plant?

Insert: If you read the previous comments, I see people dressed in black, wearing chains and with poorly made-up eyes crawling in the wet forest. Somehow that doesn't fit.

I continue to smell: the scent changes, but is still clear and dominant. The inky note fades slowly. The lead abrasion remains a little. Now the bourbon of the bourbon vetiver moves inexorably forward. The whole thing is accompanied by a softness of cashmere wood. In the drydown, I perceive a slightly subliminal sweetness from the bourbon cashmere. This has a slightly vanilla-like effect. This sweetness is pleasant, but unfortunately doesn't match the humorless start at all. I would have liked more herbs and moss in the drydown.

It goes so naturally,....