Encre Noir differs in one essential aspect from all other fragrances I know. I simply cannot evoke moods with this scent, nor create something atmospheric. Unlike other perfumes, I find myself less immersed in feelings with Encre Noir; instead, a rapid succession of black-and-white images flashes before my inner eye.
Much in Encre Noir reflects my expectations of a dark woody scent. A dark, almost gelatinous, thickened, bitter cypress. A rough, austere, straw-dry vetiver. And yet, I struggle with this fragrance. On one hand, Encre Noir is marked in the first hours by a cucumber-like pepper note that is unmatched in its persistence. While this uncompromising aspect fits the overall concept, it causes me slight physical discomfort.
The second characteristic concerns the essence of the scent: Encre Noir is simply too tightly woven for me. It leaves no room for interpretations. As much as I love Encre Noir for its statement, I simultaneously find it hard to truly like it. I regret this deeply, as Encre Noir is already a monument to itself in its lifetime. Thus, what remains is a flash of black-and-white images, trapped in a wall of scent.
Close-ups of the moon
Bony, leafless forests shaped by long tree trunks
Collapsed temple columns
The stone sculptures of Easter Island
Monoliths in the sand...
Super exciting, absolutely captivating descriptions for a fragrance that I only know the women's version of and really like - but now I'm quite sure I should also have a chat with the gentleman.
I don't find it "densely woven," but I do see it as a "wall of scent." I don't like it and wouldn't give it such a high rating. But I want to test it again.
@Erzbischof: At least there's the Encre Noire Eau de Parfum. 60ml in a Lalique crystal bottle, but is it worth it? I like your wish, and Encre Noire gets a 100% from me-it's my fourth bottle after all.
During the second test after months, it opened up a bit for me, I'm curious to see how it goes between us.