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In Extremis Astrophil & Stella 2024

8.4 / 10 39 Ratings

A new perfume by Astrophil & Stella for women and men, released in 2024. The scent is woody-leathery. The longevity is above-average. It is being marketed by Gida Profumi.
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Main accords

Woody

Leathery

Earthy

Smoky

Resinous

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Birch

Angelica

Galbanum

Chamomile

Mastic

Heart Notes

Frankincense

Magnolia

Osmanthus

Musk

Base Notes

Patchouli

Gaiac wood Leather

Leather

Oud

Oakmoss

Ambergris

Vetiver

Perfumer

Giuseppe Imprezzabile a.k.a. Meo Fusciuni

Ratings

Scent

8.439 Ratings

Longevity

8.636 Ratings

Sillage

7.837 Ratings

Bottle

8.232 Ratings

Value for money

7.625 Ratings

Submitted by Vaidas, last update on 09/24/2025.

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Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions

06/23/2025

7
Pricing 8
Bottle 7
Sillage 8
Longevity 9
Scent

Merlotsupern
90 Reviews

Merlotsupern

Very helpful Review 7

Dark~Green Leather Easel Dropper...

If you are reading this, you most likely know that Astrophil & Stella’s In Extremis is a fragrance which draws inspiration from the extreme contrasts of Caravaggio’s art AND life. A homage that feels deliberate, coming from Imprezzabile as it may fit well with his "shy observer" persona.

For the first 30 minutes, In Extremis evokes a personal childhood memory: a dimly lit shoemaker’s basement, where the humid air was thick with the scent of leather and mastic. Here, a touch of galbanum adds some green sharpness, briefly reminiscent of Beach Hut Man, though here it feels more subdued.

As the initial intensity softens, light genderless floral notes (among them a faint trace of sweet chamomile) start to emerge, piercing through the darker base. This interplay between brightness and depth mirrors Caravaggio’s signature contrasts, explaining the fragrance narration.
Eventually, the florals recede, giving way to a drydown dominated by leather (somehow similar to Nouveau Monde), oakmoss, woods and ethereal frankincense.

While I haven’t worn In Extremis enough to assess its projection, the quality of the composition is substantial and it lasts 8+ hours on skin. I will update my review, once I become more familiar with it.
What I can say now is that In Extremis was my first encounter with Imprezzabile’s work, and it won't be the last.

07/09/2025

7
Bottle 7
Sillage 8
Longevity 8.5
Scent

Floyd
384 Reviews

Floyd

3

Meditations on the Mirror of Souls

Someone has flung open the shutters. Blindingly bright burns the gleam of the birch beams on backgrounds of black stone walls. Flickering wasabi-colored sparks flutter before the eyes that are gradually adjusting to the dark. Incense wafts like dust in the balm of sepia-falling rays, sensing galbanum shadows wandering on dark green rough floorboards. Interrupted by magnolia stabs. Scratches from a sharp thorn. A leather leg and the pale skin of a hand searching in the room. Mosses groping at damp walls. Steps squelching in moist earths. That fade over time when observed. In the mirror of the soul, they freeze silvery.
**
What Meo Fuscini created for Astrophil & Stella with "In Extremis" is a tribute to the Italian painter Caravaggio (1571-1610), whose early Baroque style was characterized by very bright rays of light falling on figures against extremely dark backgrounds. Brown, gray, ochre, and olive were the few color components that complemented black and white. "Our love for Caravaggio pays homage to his revolutionary art, his restless spirit, and his ability to transform the canvas into a mirror of the soul," it says on the Astrophil & Stella homepage.
Fuscinis tribute moves olfactorily in the colors and effects of Caravaggio's work. First, a glaring sharp birch scent falls into the picture like a beam of light, spicy Angelica complements the impression, which is initially contrasted by dark green, woody galbanum. Ocher-colored incense melds balsamically into the light of the birch, while the magnolia adds slightly piercing pinpoints. From the rather gloomy galbanum resin, moist-earthy, cool moss, vetiver, and patchouli notes soon emerge, which are interwoven with dark brown leather, experiencing brighter, wild leathery nuances through osmanthus. Subtle, pale skin associations likely stem from the musk. The guaiac wood in the base seems to create a dispersal of the impression, laying a peppery, frosty, and at the same time musky veil over the image. Fuscinis meditation on Caravaggio's mirror of the soul projects moderately but resonates long after.

(With thanks to Bosworth)

03/11/2024

9
Pricing 9
Bottle 8
Sillage 10
Longevity 10
Scent

Shq
2 Reviews

Shq

3

A Masterpiece dedicated to Caravaggio's art

In Extremis is a masterpiece, a true work of art that stands out among the myriad of scents presented at the Esxence fair this year. It is not just the best fragrance I have tried at the fair, but a high-water mark for what is possible in the world of perfumery. Its ability to balance a wide range of notes, from the fresh to the smoky, from the floral to the earthy, makes it a remarkable achievement. In Extremis is not just a fragrance you wear; it's an experience that lingers in the memory, a scent that becomes a part of your personal story. This fragrance deserves the highest of praises, a standing ovation in the realm of scents.
Its sophisticated blend captures the essence of artistry in perfumery, balancing a wide array of notes to create an unforgettable experience.

From the moment you experience its opening notes, you are transported to a world where freshness and mysticism intertwine. The Galbanum, paired with the Angelica, Lentisk, Blue Chamomile, and the subtle smokiness of Birch, create an opening that is both invigorating and intriguing.

As the fragrance evolves, the heart reveals a tapestry of olfactory treasures. Osmanthus and Magnolia bring a floral softness that is perfectly balanced by the Incense and the warmth of Musk. This middle phase is where In Extremis showcases its ability to blend contrasting elements into a harmonious whole, offering a sensory experience that is both comforting and enigmatic.

The base of the fragrance is where In Extremis truly reveals its depth and complexity. Vetiver, intense Leather Oud, Ambergris, Patchouli, Guaiac Wood and Oakmoss come together to create a foundation that is both grounding and captivating. This combination of base notes ensures that the fragrance leaves a lasting impression, one that is rich, multifaceted, and utterly unforgettable.

10/10, Masterpiece

05/02/2024

8
Pricing 8
Bottle 9
Sillage 9
Longevity 8
Scent

Myrtillajus
530 Reviews

Myrtillajus

3

Art can make you Cry

Art always shocks me.
It generates such a wide range of feelings that I would define it as unlimited.
With art I also sometimes cry: not out of sadness, mind you, but because I am of the opinion that some works are so beautiful that they move me, that they move strings in my soul that I sometimes forget I have.
The first time I cried when I saw a painting was by Caravaggio, The Madonna of the Pilgrims, in the church of Sant'Agostino, in Rome.
That raw realism, the scenographic light that made space in the darkness, and that so different, impactful style, I still remember them today.
In extremis it is a fragrance that aims to recreate the smell that a painting by Caravaggio might have, also highlighting the artist's personality: dark, dusty, with a light chamomile to accompany the woods and the incensed background.
It is also said that when it was created by Meo Fusciuni, due to its complex pyramid, this creation had such a precarious balance that it reached the extreme.
Definitely structured, dense, smoky and dark.
A glimmer of light to illuminate it.
If you love artistic creations, don't miss out on trying it, it will take you into an out-of-the-ordinary environment.

05/14/2025

10
Pricing 10
Bottle 7
Sillage 10
Longevity 10
Scent

Msl
9 Reviews

Msl

1

Chiaroscuro in a bottle

Things can go very wrong when you set out to create something in tribute to one of the most outstanding figures in human history. Living up to the weight carried by Caravaggio’s name is an incredibly tall order. He is, without a shadow (pun intended) of a doubt, one of the greatest artists the world has ever known, and if your creation turns out to be anything less than exceptional, you risk ridicule - not for your failure, but for the audacity to invoke such a name. Nonetheless, Meo Fusciuni took the risk and frankly: we’re lucky that he did, because what he created is nothing short of extraordinary.

In Extremis is one of those fragrances that don’t just develop - they morph. One moment you’re hit with overpowering tobacco, leather, woods and resins, and once it settles down it reveals more delicate, floral side, just like Caravaggio’s shadow play reveals soft textures and shapes. The composition is still dark, though, and I doubt this is just a coincidence - mind you, his characters were often painted surrounded by a complete, cavernous darkness. After some time, floral notes fade away and leave you with a beautiful mix of smoke, leather and dry woods with a slight touch of something I can’t quite identify, that balances the dry down.

To me, In Extremis is an outstanding creation. Such masterpieces are oftentimes hard to pull of - that’s not the case here. Yes, it is unique, yet perfectly wearable. A flawless 10/10.

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