Encre Noire à L'Extrême Lalique 2015

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7.9 / 10 1113 Ratings

A popular perfume by Lalique for men, released in 2015. The scent is woody-earthy. It is being marketed by Lalique Group / Art & Fragrance.
Pronunciation

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Main accords

Woody

Earthy

Smoky

Resinous

Spicy

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Cypress

Elemi resin

Bergamot

Heart Notes

Haitian vetiver

Java vetiver

Frankincense Iris

Iris

Base Notes

Benzoin

Patchouli

Sandalwood

Perfumer

Nathalie Lorson

Videos

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Ratings

Scent

7.91113 Ratings

Longevity

7.71033 Ratings

Sillage

7.21028 Ratings

Bottle

8.21032 Ratings

Value for money

9.1696 Ratings

Submitted by Franfan20, last update on 04/23/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Encre Noire Eau de Toilette

Sycomore (2008) Eau de Toilette

James

Alibi

Encre Noire Sport

Terroni

Reviews

51 in-depth fragrance descriptions

05/10/2016

ColinM
516 Reviews

ColinM

Helpful Review 8

Missed chance

Encre Noire à L’Extreme opens indeed as an “extreme” version of Encre Noire, where “extreme” is to be intended as more powerful, rougher, drier, more woody, somehow more “mature”, a bit more dirty, and ultimately with some more “oomph” than that. It doesn’t smell particularly “natural”, and I guess that’s part of the concept, but surely it does have something crisper, rootier, earthier if compared to the round, and kind of muted synthetic “inkiness” of classic Encre Noire. It’s also quite woodier, thanks to cypriol and to some more cedar. Be reminded I’m talking about nuances, the main bone structure of Extreme is still clearly Encre Noire – nothing dramatically different. But still, especially (and sadly, only) during the early stages, there is indeed enough differences to make this Extreme stand on its own. It smells basically like Encre Noire briefly drenched in wet balsamic woods (cypress) and dusted with pencil shavings and incense ashes, almost making it resemble to a sort of a lighter, drier, more cedar/incense-oriented version of Jovoy’s Private Label (Encre Noire à l’Extreme is nothing remotely that complex or intriguing, but there’s some slight connections) infused with a drop of L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Timbuktu (again – not hinting that the quality is the same; just a matter of superficial similarities between notes, especially some sort of similar “papery cypress” feel). Finally, just mix that with Montana’s Graphite kind of “freshly cut dry cedar”, and here’s this Extreme flanker of Encre Noire.

Now, despite the first minutes seemed quite promising, I must say that overall I’m a bit underwhelmed by this scent - the main issue being that it quickly starts to smell a tad more synthetic and flat that I wished, especially at this price point (but I guess there’s a reason why this is already widely available at a fraction of its original cost). It’s not bad, it’s actually fairly decent; but the dry ashy-cedary part soon smells as much nice as muted, generic and heavily artificial, so do vetiver and cypress, and incense – all notes, basically. I wouldn’t consider Extreme “cheap”, as even if it smells quite synthetic and a bit dull it’s a well-played, ultimately quite pleasant kind of synthetic. Still it doesn’t really keep up with the initial promises for me, soon that “oomph” I mentioned will be just a souvenir. And since Extreme is also heavily linear, there’s really no hope for some twists or changes (which in fact, don’t happen, except for a weak sort of “velvety suede” feel I get after a couple of hours, which combined with vetiver, kind of reminded me of Jil Sander Man by Wasser and Menardo from 2007).

All in all this isn’t strictly a bad scent, but not a great one either. Not even a “very good” one for me, just more only “boringly nice” with a subtle bitter aftertaste of disappointment. This may be a smart choice if you’re looking for your first and only “night vetiver” to own and you don’t want to bother trying others: but be sure to get some good discount though, as this isn’t worthy the full price tag.

6,5/10

10/25/2024

10
Pricing 5
Sillage 5
Longevity 8.5
Scent

Smirky
391 Reviews

Smirky

Very helpful Review 7

Great value vetiver fragrance

Classic vetiver scent well done. Ultra dry and super masculine fragrance. If you haven't been weaned off of sweet fragrances yet, you can skip Encre Noire Extreme. The opening notes are quickly displaced by strong vetiver. As it dries down, there are hints of the other notes but just barely. This is first and foremost a vetiver fragrance. Price is dirt cheap making it a remarkable value. Only downside is moderate performance. I get about 5 hours of Encre Noire Extreme with moderate sillage and projection. Because it's sharper, works in hot or cold weather. Deserves a spot in every man's arsenal. Not one for the bubblegum boys or cotton candy callants.

01/04/2022

10
Pricing 10
Bottle 8
Sillage 10
Longevity 6
Scent

BLESSED
33 Reviews

BLESSED

Very helpful Review 6

Prestige of Presence

For those who will dare and don't care, For those who have gone beyond the stage of seeking compliments to the stage of self expression, for sure ( Encre Noire A L'Extreme Lalique ) is one of these, here I will do my best to avoid repeat the same things that already written previously:

1- Perfect weather to wear?
A- Cold and Rainy weather.

2- Perfect occasion to wear?
A- Formal, office, also I can imagine myself wearing it when I'm walking long distance in adventure or as tourist explore new places

3- Usage and number of sprays?
A- Winter: 5 to 10 sprays ( day & night ) Spring, Summer and Fall 3 to 5 sprays ( afternoon & night )
B- Layering: Encre bottom & the other fragrance top.
C- Age: I can imagine the scent on any male but mostly preferred 30+
D- Female? : ideal for layering and shapeshifter

4- Places and people who should avoid to wear?
A- ( Places ) should avoid to wear it in GYM, even in open sport areas
B- ( People ) the heavy cigarette smoker, the one who are smoking while the car windows are closed, this kind of perfume not for you.

06/05/2021

10
Pricing 9
Bottle 6
Sillage 6
Longevity 9
Scent

Elysium
869 Reviews

Elysium

Helpful Review 9

Embrace Your Ugly Sexy

Lalique has reinvented the masterfully raw Encre Noire Eau de Toilette with a more sensual, creamier, more amber, smokier and more velvety touch that softens the original moisture while staying true to its mysterious essence. Encre Noire À L’Extrême is a flanker of a dark and menacing vetiver cult, and I have to admit it’s quite flirtatious. Here extreme does not mean more intense, more substantial, with a heavier sillage, but more decisive on the resemblance to black ink, as its name says: Extreme Black Ink. I own all three Encre Noire fragrances. L’OG, Sport and À L’Extrême. The latter is the most varied because it has a predominantly sweet and resinous nature with the addition of notes of elemi, benzoin, patchouli, sandalwood and incense. This blend creates an almost amber accord, like its gorgeous whiskey colour. More prosperous, denser, smokier, but softer smelling than the original. Sure, the similarities are there. The ink note here is a bit weaker, while the wood notes are a bit stronger. However, this is what you want if you like this type of fragrance and the original. Not better, not worse, just a little different, but different enough. For some, Lalique Encre Noire À L'Extrême is not conventionally beautiful - or whatever kind of good looks you want to say - but it has an engaging personality, style and talent. Many therefore consider him sexually attractive. To me, it's my ugly sexy scent.

Encre Noire À L’Extrême is the palpable and striking representation of male sensuality. The fragrance has an intense and woody aroma, which combines cypress with other earthy elements and adds intensity to the scent. The soft, slightly citrusy top notes contain cypress, elemi essence and bergamot. But it opens on a much lower tone without the deep green breath of the cypress. For a moment, I have an alcoholic and leathery atmosphere. There is pale vetiver in the initial moment that is attractive and unusual, almost as if the familiar tones of the central factor are witnessed through a storm. Vetiver is calm in the storm's eye, but a turbulent veil of elemi and spices shades it as the scent caresses the skin. It is dark and dusty from the start, like an unexplored penthouse in an old abandoned mansion in ruins.

Initially, the incense is solid and does not allow the other notes to shine. Or so I thought. After a while, the incense fades, and the moist, woody vetiver artwork typical of Encre Noir emerges, but with the subdued note of incense that makes this cypress forest even darker of Encre Noir. He is slightly warmer and more understanding. The incense gives way to benzoin which provides the fragrance with a slightly sweet smell, unlike the original. Indeed, the magic lies in the sensuality and intensity of the heart, where a beautiful note of iris and incense enhances the smoky earth of Javanese vetiver and the fresher accents of Haitian vetiver with a powdery leathery edge that is almost similar to Petroleum. A smoky heart with an affirmative woody balsamic scent that is primordial, seductive, dark. Vetiver is rich and salty with dry grass and earthy facets, though I'm not getting the same vetiver found in the original. It's not a vetiver bomb like the original one. It is rounder and easier to wear. What I find beautiful about À L'Extrême is the way it weaves a soft, suede-like iris note between the sharp tendrils of vetiver. The iris slightly tempers the vetiver, preventing it from being too harsh while intensifying its detached earthiness and bringing a touch of femininity to the composition.

As it dries, À L'Extrême warms up with woods, spices and something with a mineral feel, but it doesn't soften and if anything becomes firmer. Sandalwood plays an essential role in the bottom, creating a creamy angular pattern of wood and spice with spaces where rooted, salty and earthy vetiver can fall. The whole thing feels seamless and bold, but at no time does the fragrance seem loud or intrusive. The uniqueness of this aromatic composition is due to the notes of sandalwood, patchouli and benzoin. The sweetness I detect is almost amber, although amber is not a listed note. I get a dense, dark, slightly woody oud accord, although it does not mention the oud, perhaps because of the combination of patchouli, sandalwood and benzoin in the base that reproduces this accord. Incense and elemi favour this notion to some extent. À L’Extrême is more intense than the OG. But it is also more intimate and quite seductive with its light veil of powdery musk. The misty and dry woods present are just as soft and malleable. The base changes in shades of grey, like a charcoal drawing.

À L'Extrême is a work of art. A truly refined and perfected version of the already majestic Encre Noire and Encre Noire Sport. It's an improved version of the original with an added balsamic dimension provided by sweet resins, smoky incense, and earthy patchouli. The overall feeling is of a naturally warm and inviting nocturnal sensuality. À L'Extrême is an evolution of Encre Noire, respectably preserving its DNA but refining the accord with a mystical note and fluidity of its own. A work of art that truly delves into the original mystery. À L'Extrême evokes darkness in a relaxing and mysterious rather than alienating way. It is sophisticated vetiver, soft and stripped of its herbaceous harshness. More than ink, it makes me think of the grey and dense fog of Milan, so thick that you can cut it with a knife; the profile of a stranger in the dark, his shadow cast on the polished asphalt.
Encre Noire À L'Extrême It starts pretty similar to the original with lots of green cypresses; however, it stabilizes a bit in a few minutes, and the driest, woody and resinous facets come out. Frankincense is very present with a good dose of alcoholic benzoin. It's like a more mature and relaxed version of the original. It fits best in the evening, preferably to grab and enjoy for fall and winter. Lalique has some unique scents, but the Encre Noire series is so cheap online now, and it's worth it. À L'Extrême is what a good flanker looks like, keeping the original DNA by taking it to a different but equally satisfying destination.

I based the review on a 100ml bottle I have owned since July 2018.

-Elysium

06/29/2016

8
Bottle 8
Sillage 8
Longevity 8
Scent

Rmf1112
17 Reviews

Rmf1112

Very helpful Review 4

Encre Noire Cypress Bomb

Lalique Encre Noire a l'Extreme

This is obviously a more powerful version of the original Encre Noire, and is also EdP strength. It does have a similar scent, yet it is different. Where the original was all about the vetiver, with the almost menthol-esque cypress propping it up, this version is the opposite. I think this is all about the cypress the whole way, with the vetiver providing fullness in the background.

To be honest, i don't get too much outside the cypress, vetiver, and a little frankincense. The cypress is very assertive and to me, covers up most of the other notes. As such, this is very linear on me, cypress and vetiver all day, and that's about it. I do very much enjoy it, but wish it was a little more balanced, and overall I'd say I prefer the original EN.

Performance wise, I get about 6 hours of projection where i can smell it in wafts without trying. After that, it's slightly beyond a skin scent. I'm a one spray on each arm and one under the shirt type, so your milage may vary. I feel more than a few sprays will isolate you from humanity, however, because this juice is very strong for the first hour or so.

Scent- 7
Sillage- 8
Longevity- 7

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