Lalique Encre Noire à L'Extrême came onto my radar because I was looking for something in the same general mood as the discontinued Gucci Pour Homme from the early 2000s. Not a dupe, and it doesn’t try to be one, but it scratches a similar itch for me: dark woods, smoke, and a serious, grown-up vibe.
What I wanted was very specific: incense in the air and dry wood, almost like an Orthodox church after mass, mixed with a hint of pencil shavings. À L’Extrême gets surprisingly close to that idea. The core is vetiver, but not the clean, sporty kind. It’s earthy, rooty, smoky, and dry, with that inky, stern character Encre Noire is known for. On top of that, you get a warm resinous layer and a punch of frankincense.
Compared to the original Encre Noire, à L’Extrême feels denser and darker. It has more weight, more resin, and more presence. This isn’t a friendly, easy crowd-pleaser. Definitely don't buy this blind. It shines in colder weather or at night.
And then there’s the price. It’s hard to argue with the value here. You get a niche-leaning atmosphere of vetiver, incense, resins, and dark woods for a price that’s usually low enough to take a chance on.
Excellent review! This is exactly the kind of detailed, thoughtful write-up I love to read. You nailed the specific vibe you were going for, gave clear comparisons to help contextualize the scent, and were honest about who this fragrance is (and isn't) for. The "Orthodox church after mass" description is particularly evocative and helpful. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience in such a useful way!
@Elysium: Thank you for your kind words. I have loved fragrance for the past 20 or so years, and I have been snooping around websites like this one for some time, but I only mustered the courage to write something recently. I guess I am more of a "vibe" reviewer than a very technical reviewer... :)
Elysium 15 days ago
astrow1986 15 days ago
