12
Top Review
Fragrant buddy in an ethereal and not so dark guise
I only came across the Encre-Noir series since my "arrival" at Parfumo. Never, I thought at first, would I become a fan of "black ink": too intense, too earthy, too one-dimensional, too little suitable for everyday wear, so my concerns. And then mainly intended for "older" people, which for me, even as someone in their late forties, is in most cases a disqualifying criterion. But of course: I let myself be somewhat blinded by comments that lean towards "moldy forest," "smoky mist," or "darkest night."
And what can I say today? Without owning the original, the two flankers "Sport" and "À L'Extrème" (ENE) have now become my absolute favorite fragrances. No trace of "unbearable" and for me also no "extreme case." The naming and bottle design (this one is simply great) only sometimes serve as a first decision-making aid. Be that as it may: Even though no oud is used, I perceive a scent note in ENE that tends in that direction. Wonderfully dosed, because too much oriental spice is not my thing at all. The vetiver base is clearly perceptible, and I am a fan of this grass because it is inherently very complex: herbaceous, sweet, green, sharp, earthy.
The cherry on top for me in ENE - just like in the Sport version, which comes across as more mentholated - are the ethereal components. Elemi, cypress, and also frankincense possess that wellness-like aura, which vaguely reminds one of a sauna infusion. Some may wrinkle their noses at this, but I totally love it! :-) Therefore, ENE is not a fragrance that I only wear on winter evenings. After all, it can definitely be attributed with a subtle sprightliness. ENE and the Sport variant clearly play in the same league for me, which is why they are also excellent for layering. This is how flankers make sense to my nose.
I always find it very amusing to read what associations are sometimes connected with a particular fragrance and I smile a lot at Batman, Gargamel, grave diggers, or Edgar Wallace. I am not that imaginative nor do I want to be. For me, the "extreme black ink" simply strikes the perfectly balanced bridge between masculine sharpness, relaxed wellness, and spicy exoticism despite its name.
And what can I say today? Without owning the original, the two flankers "Sport" and "À L'Extrème" (ENE) have now become my absolute favorite fragrances. No trace of "unbearable" and for me also no "extreme case." The naming and bottle design (this one is simply great) only sometimes serve as a first decision-making aid. Be that as it may: Even though no oud is used, I perceive a scent note in ENE that tends in that direction. Wonderfully dosed, because too much oriental spice is not my thing at all. The vetiver base is clearly perceptible, and I am a fan of this grass because it is inherently very complex: herbaceous, sweet, green, sharp, earthy.
The cherry on top for me in ENE - just like in the Sport version, which comes across as more mentholated - are the ethereal components. Elemi, cypress, and also frankincense possess that wellness-like aura, which vaguely reminds one of a sauna infusion. Some may wrinkle their noses at this, but I totally love it! :-) Therefore, ENE is not a fragrance that I only wear on winter evenings. After all, it can definitely be attributed with a subtle sprightliness. ENE and the Sport variant clearly play in the same league for me, which is why they are also excellent for layering. This is how flankers make sense to my nose.
I always find it very amusing to read what associations are sometimes connected with a particular fragrance and I smile a lot at Batman, Gargamel, grave diggers, or Edgar Wallace. I am not that imaginative nor do I want to be. For me, the "extreme black ink" simply strikes the perfectly balanced bridge between masculine sharpness, relaxed wellness, and spicy exoticism despite its name.
Translated · Show original
3 Comments
Correction: Therefore, as Schoork described perfectly: A well-suited EN for social life, including for making contact with the opposite sex.