Bois d'Ascèse Naomi Goodsir 2012
3
Sophistication and reservedness
A literal translation for ‘Bois d’ascese’ would be ‘ascetic wood’ - and this is exactly what you can expect from this fragrance by Naomi Goodsir. If not entirely ascetic, it is definitely reserved and convinces with its quality, rather than by screaming in your face.
Initially I get resins and smoke; then something sweet and spicy like cinnamon creeps in. It remains for a brief fleeting moment, just long enough to make you aware of its subtle presence, before tobacco and cedar wood take over. This tobacco note is dry and herbal - not like the stuff you find in cigarettes; it rather reminds me of smoking a pipe - where the slightly spicy scent of hot tobacco leaves is interlaced with the woody, tarry smell of the pipe. It becomes sophisticated and somehow comforting. It also evokes images of someone’s private library perhaps, where you can sit down in front of the fire with a cognac and a cigar, perusing ancient tomes taken from bookshelves filled with vintage treasures; or an antique book shop, where fist editions are sold and where amidst the smell of leather binding, varnish and printing ink, books are lovingly restored.
The base of the scent becomes peatier and dryer; there is more resin and oak - almost like a barrel of whisky, which has been left maturing for some time.
To me ‘Bois d’ascese’ shows similarities with D.S. & Durga’s ‘Bowmakers’ with its coniferous notes; in its peaty smokiness it also reminds me of Beaufort’s ‘Vi et Armis’, however where ‘Vi et Armis’ is punching harder, this one is much more toned down.
All in all it’s a warm, dry, smoky woody scent, which would be best suited for the colder time of the year. It also sits on a more masculine side of fragrances and even though it doesn’t have a huge projection, it is definitely noticeable once you get closer. It’s elegant without being loud and has the quality of a mature, experienced, educated, well-read and well-travelled man-of-the-world. He knows what he is talking about and easily leads the conversation without dominating it. This sophisticated gentleman would know exactly when to stay quiet and he keeps his dignity even when everything around him gets increasingly drunk and loud - and so does the scent: on skin it remains long enough to still be perceived even after many hours of wearing it, should you desire to check; but it quickly tones down the projection and stays in the background rather than being the most prominent thing in the room. If you wear perfumes for yourself, then it’ll be a perfect balance - if you want the scent you have put on to be noticed, you might be disappointed.
Initially I get resins and smoke; then something sweet and spicy like cinnamon creeps in. It remains for a brief fleeting moment, just long enough to make you aware of its subtle presence, before tobacco and cedar wood take over. This tobacco note is dry and herbal - not like the stuff you find in cigarettes; it rather reminds me of smoking a pipe - where the slightly spicy scent of hot tobacco leaves is interlaced with the woody, tarry smell of the pipe. It becomes sophisticated and somehow comforting. It also evokes images of someone’s private library perhaps, where you can sit down in front of the fire with a cognac and a cigar, perusing ancient tomes taken from bookshelves filled with vintage treasures; or an antique book shop, where fist editions are sold and where amidst the smell of leather binding, varnish and printing ink, books are lovingly restored.
The base of the scent becomes peatier and dryer; there is more resin and oak - almost like a barrel of whisky, which has been left maturing for some time.
To me ‘Bois d’ascese’ shows similarities with D.S. & Durga’s ‘Bowmakers’ with its coniferous notes; in its peaty smokiness it also reminds me of Beaufort’s ‘Vi et Armis’, however where ‘Vi et Armis’ is punching harder, this one is much more toned down.
All in all it’s a warm, dry, smoky woody scent, which would be best suited for the colder time of the year. It also sits on a more masculine side of fragrances and even though it doesn’t have a huge projection, it is definitely noticeable once you get closer. It’s elegant without being loud and has the quality of a mature, experienced, educated, well-read and well-travelled man-of-the-world. He knows what he is talking about and easily leads the conversation without dominating it. This sophisticated gentleman would know exactly when to stay quiet and he keeps his dignity even when everything around him gets increasingly drunk and loud - and so does the scent: on skin it remains long enough to still be perceived even after many hours of wearing it, should you desire to check; but it quickly tones down the projection and stays in the background rather than being the most prominent thing in the room. If you wear perfumes for yourself, then it’ll be a perfect balance - if you want the scent you have put on to be noticed, you might be disappointed.
NosyCat
