Encre Noire à L'Extrême Lalique 2015

This fragrance holds a very special place for me personally. It is one of the few olfactory creations that has managed to evoke a flood of images, impressions, and the associated emotions right from the first spray or sniff - a kaleidoscopic projection of impressions from deep untouched forests, a true delight for the inner eye. The Encre Noire à L'Extrême starts off for me just like the Encre Noire Eau de Toilette, but it quickly develops a distinctive individuality. The prominent vetiver note, reminiscent of deep dark mossy forest floors, is soon underlined by a subtle smokiness, along with a clearly perceptible accord of coniferous woods. Essentially, it is a rather minimalist fragrance that comes across as truly unique, as such a composition has been a rarity until now, and accordingly, it also has a recognizable character. It is a meditative forest walk in a bottle; one wanders through the ancient woods, where only sparse light penetrates through the dense treetops, and the ground is soft and covered in moss. After a brief rain shower, petrichor and herbal aromas blend together, dense steam rises above the moist earth, in the distance a roe deer barks... the call of a night bird heralds the approaching twilight, the light is now finally fading, and the golden full moon casts its twilight over a dew-covered clearing...

I certainly do not wear this fragrance every day, as that would quickly take away the specialness that it undoubtedly possesses. In quiet moments of slowing down, I wear it, close my eyes, and embark on a meditative journey of inner reflection and nature mystique. Even during a "real" forest hike, it is a welcome companion. It feels as if one carries the essence of the forest being traversed and becomes one with it.