Top Notes 
Somalian frankincense
Lavender
Persian elemi
Heart Notes 
Coriander seed
Guatemala cardamom
Egyptian cumin
Egyptian geranium
Chamomile
Base Notes 
Patchouli
NuiWhakakore
110 Reviews
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NuiWhakakore
Top Review
30
The Alchemist
‘...Vi veri vniversvm vivvs vici.’
With these words, he threw the last ingredient into the cauldron. A hissing sound and a flash followed. Bright green smoke swirled, obscuring the view, biting and sharp, yet also fresh, clearing the nose. This was, of course, due to the lavender and the noble resins, very expensive but indispensable, as Castiglio had already described, and he was beyond any doubt. But that was not the desired effect; it would only show once the green smoke had dissipated. Yet it did not dissipate.
‘Te exue sue!’
And indeed, slowly the smoke began to clear, revealing a brown, thick bubbling mass in the cauldron. Nothing else. The umpteenth attempt and again just a fragrant brew, which with all the expensive spices was the least one could expect. Perhaps the concoction was even healthy. That would make matters even worse. As an alchemist and sorcerer, it should at least smell of sulfur.
‘Abyssus abyssum invocat.’
Yes, he had left out the birch tar; it always gave him a headache. But that was not the reason for the renewed failure; there had already been too many failed attempts, even with tar and headaches. Perhaps he should just bottle the stuff and sell it as a remedy? For a long life, for example? That way he could at least reduce costs.
‘Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis.’
No, that was still beneath his dignity, but sooner or later he would have to present a success; otherwise, he would lose his position and with it his home and his peaceful life. He might be able to scrape by for a few more months. For the monthly report to the Camerarius, he would just have to embellish the results a bit.
‘Difficile est satiram non scribere.’
But not impossible.
He poured the contents of the cauldron into the garden. There stood the cherry tree in full bloom. Unusual in the middle of winter, but so be it; he had more important things to do.
----------------------
La Fumée Intense indeed makes a rather intense start. The incense is rather dirty, the lavender dark and very intense, and there is a distinct smoky note. The whole thing has a somewhat harsh, medicinal quality, only the elemi resin provides a few fresh, lemony notes that brighten everything up a bit. Spices are also present but are rather gentle and do not come directly from the kitchen; coriander is recognizable. This has a certain alchemical ritual feel to it or even a witch's kitchen vibe.
The scent calms down significantly after 10 minutes, becoming softer and warmer, which could be due to the cumin, although it is not explicitly detectable. Chamomile adds an additional herbal freshness. As the scent develops, not much changes in its basic orientation; only the weighting or perception of it shifts several times. Sometimes (slightly smoky) incense is in the foreground, then again the fresh-herb aspects, before the spices flash back into prominence. Only towards the base does the scent become resinous, sweeter, with the chamomile almost a bit sharp, providing a great contrast to the resinous-sweet notes. A little, very slightly earthy patchouli is still detectable, but it is almost negligible.
The differences to the regular La Fumée are not very large. La Fumée Intense is by no means more intense, but rather a bit gentler, likely due to the absence of birch tar, which ultimately spoiled the regular La Fumée for me. So it pains me personally that the Intense was discontinued and not the regular one, but thanks to Souk, it has still found its way to me, thank you dear A.
----------------------
‘...Vi veri vniversvm vivvs vici.’ - By the power of truth, I, as a living being, have conquered the universe; motto of Aleister Crowley
Castiglio is borrowed from melodies by Helmut Krausser; skepticism towards his works is warranted
‘Te exue sue!’ - Get naked, you pig!
‘Abyssus abyssum invocat.’ - One mistake leads to another.
‘Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis.’ - There is no remedy against death.
Camerarius = medieval chamberlain
‘Difficile est satiram non scribere.’ - It is difficult not to write a satire about it.
I got my Latin from Asterix comics, so please direct any errors to Google.
With these words, he threw the last ingredient into the cauldron. A hissing sound and a flash followed. Bright green smoke swirled, obscuring the view, biting and sharp, yet also fresh, clearing the nose. This was, of course, due to the lavender and the noble resins, very expensive but indispensable, as Castiglio had already described, and he was beyond any doubt. But that was not the desired effect; it would only show once the green smoke had dissipated. Yet it did not dissipate.
‘Te exue sue!’
And indeed, slowly the smoke began to clear, revealing a brown, thick bubbling mass in the cauldron. Nothing else. The umpteenth attempt and again just a fragrant brew, which with all the expensive spices was the least one could expect. Perhaps the concoction was even healthy. That would make matters even worse. As an alchemist and sorcerer, it should at least smell of sulfur.
‘Abyssus abyssum invocat.’
Yes, he had left out the birch tar; it always gave him a headache. But that was not the reason for the renewed failure; there had already been too many failed attempts, even with tar and headaches. Perhaps he should just bottle the stuff and sell it as a remedy? For a long life, for example? That way he could at least reduce costs.
‘Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis.’
No, that was still beneath his dignity, but sooner or later he would have to present a success; otherwise, he would lose his position and with it his home and his peaceful life. He might be able to scrape by for a few more months. For the monthly report to the Camerarius, he would just have to embellish the results a bit.
‘Difficile est satiram non scribere.’
But not impossible.
He poured the contents of the cauldron into the garden. There stood the cherry tree in full bloom. Unusual in the middle of winter, but so be it; he had more important things to do.
----------------------
La Fumée Intense indeed makes a rather intense start. The incense is rather dirty, the lavender dark and very intense, and there is a distinct smoky note. The whole thing has a somewhat harsh, medicinal quality, only the elemi resin provides a few fresh, lemony notes that brighten everything up a bit. Spices are also present but are rather gentle and do not come directly from the kitchen; coriander is recognizable. This has a certain alchemical ritual feel to it or even a witch's kitchen vibe.
The scent calms down significantly after 10 minutes, becoming softer and warmer, which could be due to the cumin, although it is not explicitly detectable. Chamomile adds an additional herbal freshness. As the scent develops, not much changes in its basic orientation; only the weighting or perception of it shifts several times. Sometimes (slightly smoky) incense is in the foreground, then again the fresh-herb aspects, before the spices flash back into prominence. Only towards the base does the scent become resinous, sweeter, with the chamomile almost a bit sharp, providing a great contrast to the resinous-sweet notes. A little, very slightly earthy patchouli is still detectable, but it is almost negligible.
The differences to the regular La Fumée are not very large. La Fumée Intense is by no means more intense, but rather a bit gentler, likely due to the absence of birch tar, which ultimately spoiled the regular La Fumée for me. So it pains me personally that the Intense was discontinued and not the regular one, but thanks to Souk, it has still found its way to me, thank you dear A.
----------------------
‘...Vi veri vniversvm vivvs vici.’ - By the power of truth, I, as a living being, have conquered the universe; motto of Aleister Crowley
Castiglio is borrowed from melodies by Helmut Krausser; skepticism towards his works is warranted
‘Te exue sue!’ - Get naked, you pig!
‘Abyssus abyssum invocat.’ - One mistake leads to another.
‘Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis.’ - There is no remedy against death.
Camerarius = medieval chamberlain
‘Difficile est satiram non scribere.’ - It is difficult not to write a satire about it.
I got my Latin from Asterix comics, so please direct any errors to Google.
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