Encre Noire Lalique for men
Perfume rating 4.18 out of 5 with 18,662 votes
Encre Noire by Lalique is a Woody Aromatic fragrance for men. Encre Noire was launched in 2006. The nose behind this fragrance is Nathalie Lorson. Top note is Cypress; middle note is Vetiver; base notes are Cashmere Wood and Musk.
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Pros
Cons
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Fragrantica® Trends is a relative value that shows the interest of Fragrantica members in this fragrance over time.
Fragrantica Talks: Strange smells in perfumes
by Elena Knezevic, Adam Forziati, John Biebel
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This fragrance, to me, is the epitome of a cool and overcast Spring or Fall day. It is the 'feeling' that those often blustery, and occasionally rainy days, sometimes referred to as either 'crisp' or 'raw' depending on the season, evoke. I am not usually one to describe a fragrance as particularly seasonal or specific in its preferred utilization, but this is one of those that I deem to be more scalpel-like in its purpose. @Eduardw2 has succinctly wrapped this up with descriptors that I only wish I had the ability to convey as well as he has. Bravo to him for his review, it made my day.
I don't understand all the "dark, gothic, death etc, etc" comments! This is an absolutely wonderful, aromatic, woody fragrance. And yes, it actually has an ink smell. It was a blind buy and I absolutely adore it. Mind you, I am a woman in my late 40's and I wear it myself, didn't get it for a man.
Black pepper, mud and pine needles mixed in a bowl smelled in a room with an incense stick burning
The smell is beautiful. For me, it smells like a forest after rain. The longevity is kinda moderate 3-6h with moderate to weak silage. I wear it in the office during work. It does pull some compliments. The price is great as well. I highly recommend it.
Encre Noire | Black Ink
Humid pine forest, icy steam of moisture, trunks exhaling smoke, after a heavy rain last night.
Old books, where the leaves are consumed by time and acquire a characteristic smell.
You enter a woodwork:
There's someone cutting cedar wood. The texture of the wood bran in the air, along with the friction of the saw disc, the smell of smoke and freshly cut wood that completely dominates this environment [...]
How is it possible to be so artistic and at the same time, so usable?
Encre Noire is everything I hope for a niche perfume. Artistic, bold, challenging and wearable.
The bitter green, the icy mist of a forest of pine trees. The smoke of woods burned, extinguishing after a heavy rain last night.
The smell of the leaf of a book, as if you were going to write a story, agreeing with the idea that the jar is inspired by a nankim inkwell created by René Lalique in 1913.
Since I smelled Encre Noire for the first time, I defined it as the perfume of my life.
From presentation, to quality, projection and longevity, this is a true 10/10. It is a mandatory item in the collection of every perfumery lover. Nathalie Lorson is a true artist.
Top notes
Cypress, Vetiveryl Acetate
Heart notes
Vetiver from Haiti, Vetiver Bourbon
Basic notes
Cashmere Wood, Musk
Encre Noire, it's not just a perfume, it's an experience.
11/10
I was expecting death. Instead what I'm getting is a fresh forest green smell. This is gothic for sure but in a fresh woodsy kind of way. Not something I'd wear personally though. 5/10
Amouage's Figment Man feels like an amped-up version of this, which makes it like attending your own funeral. Encre Noire has a similar earthy feel but is more subdued, making it more pleasant. Still, neither suits many situations. Maybe a hike through the woods?
What's to add? You either love it or you hate it. Smells a lot more expensive than it is, and I mean a lot more. Dark woods, with the cypress complimenting the vetiver perfectly. Deep, dark, woody, earthy.
Classic and deep woody woodiness. Strongly masculine, but not annoyingly so; and its naturalistic nature makes it stand out amongst the general "men's perfumes". Very simple in its notes, with heavy earthiness and woodiness, and a sparkle of cypress to liven it up; but also somewhat sophisticated, which makes it versatile for different occasions. I wouldn't call it inky or dark; and it surprised me how strong it was, although its longevity could be improved. For this very silly price point (I paid 34€ for 100ml), I am not sure you can find anything better.
If I could choose only 5 perfumes to have for the rest of my life, this one, without a doubt, would be among the top. Perhaps it's my favorite woody scent (and I love them) without the oud note. It has an enigmatic smell and is totally different from anything else.
It's dry and sharp, due to the cypress, and at the same time extremely smoky, earthy, and damp because of the vetiver, the main star of this perfume (with two different types of the root, Bourbon and from Haiti). Its opening already delivers all of this, behaving very linearly on the skin, with only the cashmere standing out after some time on the skin, bringing roundness and controlling the pungent woody-earthiness-smokiness of the other notes.
Mattcross was on point and, indeed, this perfume is the perfect olfactory representation of the Dark Academia aesthetic: palaces and Victorian buildings under a cloudy and rainy sky, Gothic cathedrals and their pinnacles, buttresses, and flying buttresses in a wintry landscape, a twilight in Edinburgh... it carries this kind of atmosphere, being the epitome of everything that is gothic, dark, solemn, glooming, formal, closed, and serious.
Its only flaw is its performance. In older batches (I had one from 2013), it was a beast, projecting strongly for at least 2.5 hours and lasting for over 10 hours. However, in recent ones, its longevity barely reaches 6 hours and its projection barely lasts 30 minutes, which is a shame. Its lack of performance, however, has made it more versatile, easily wearable in any situation as long as it's not in scorching heat and you dress accordingly (a shirt, dress pants, and shoes work well). I hope every day that some brand will make a worthy reproduction of this one. Despite all this, I wouldn't recommend blind buying it under any circumstances, it's quite challenging.
➡️ "ENCRE NOIR" by Lalique
Concentration: Eau de Toilette
Trend: Masculine
Seasons: Spring/Autumn
Occasions: Semi-formal, work
Low cost
Duration: 6.5 ✅
Projection: 6 ✅
Fragrance: 8,5 ✅
Bottle: 8 ✅
French jewel for many but not for all.
This "Black Ink" is for adult men, perhaps with an old-fashioned style.
Its dark, woody, mysterious, but at the same time almost intimate smell makes it perfect for cool spring or autumn evenings. A green mix made more for oneself than for others, and which can give the security of those who in that moment and in that place do not want to appear but only to be there.
Very moderate sillage and durability are compensated by the simple but solid beauty of the inkwell which makes such a low cost inexplicable.
Blind buy for every collector, it is the ideal gift for a man on Valentine's Day.
Final rating: 7.5 ✅
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This is a masterpiece of simplicity. A dark earthy scent magisterially blended. A absolutely love it and could wear it all year long. A straightforward, linear dark, masculine, essential yet sophisticated scent.
Just an amazing scent for the price tag. 4 seasons, slightly night time wear; dark, woody and sensual scent. Smells like a dark, isolated and wild pine forest. Perfect hit for budget. Absolutely worth the price tag. Just get it guys.
Blind bought this thinking I would love it , little did I know this voodoo juice had other plans for me. It almost made me throw up and am not exaggerating , immediately chucked it to the side am terrified to even touch the bottle . it’s cheapie easy to pull the trigger on but DO NOT BLIND BUY THIS. One day I might find the courage to fully test it but for now I will let it rest and stay far from it.
Encre Noire means "black ink" - and thats what this smells like.
People are over emphasizing the darkness and "gothic" "deathly" vibe. This isn't really gothic, if you've ever had an art class and have worked with clay or have done any painting with different inks you'll know this smell.
This is less dark and gothic, and is more avant garde ant artsy. Imagine you're an artist covered in ink and clay with a dirty apron on and a big canvas in front of you.
This has a touch of intellectual thought to it, you're creating your own art piece.
Or you're a zen monk sitting next to a pond of koi with paper and brushes in front of you practicing caligraphy.
This is slightly calm, has a touch of sweetness and brightness in the opening. The sweetness of the woods come out more when its dried down.
Theres not much smokiness, its more of a dry woodiness, like you splashed that art class ink onto some forest wood.
There's a dryness to it and also a dampness, like you found the one dry log in a damp forest and plashed ink onto it. There is a slight petrichor to it as well but its not the focus. If you want a petrichor scent and dont mind fragrance oils, Ghoulish Goods on etsy has a lovely, realistic, petrichor scent, which would layer very well with encre noire.
It is not dark, gothic, or bad boy. You can wear it that way with the right clothing. But i dont think it is so grungey. Which i like because i am not gothic.
This is very wearable all year round, bonus points in rainy cool weather, works nice in spring, maybe summer especially if you layer it. And on the topic of layers, this is so beautiful for layering, and i don't think this is super masculine or super feminine. I think it may be more polarizing on a woman depending on her clothing, but personally if i smelled this on a woman i would be lured in due to this fragrances depth and character. Easily one of the best layered and blended scents ive smelled, i keep learning more about it the more i smell it. This to me is more complex than initio's musk therapy, armani's stronger with you or gucci guilty- i find scents like that quite linear. This has a background, midground and foreground with their own distinctness.
Not sure why, but I hated this stuff. It was a blind buy and on the first spray, I found it to be an overwhelming, almost cloying artificial vetivier scent. It smelled like a slightly upclassed axe body spray or something. I hated it so much that I took a shower to wash it off and literally could not get the smell off my skin.
Gave the bottle to a friend in hopes that he'd like it. Did I get an off-bottle or something? Is Walmart selling fake encre noire?? who knows. But I did not enjoy this at all. Smells like $50 axe.
Encre Noir by Lalique:
This is a fragrance that everyone should try. It is very unique yet wearable and has amazing niche quality for an insanely low price, Nathalie Lorson has done incredible work with this. It's by no means mass-appealing or blind-buy safe but it is nice and enjoyable, makes me think of 'wet nature'-it has to be tried. It's good for colder months, maybe on older guys but it's worth giving a go. The design is sleek and simple and the scent itself isn't necessarily gothic or overly dark, instead it's green and earthy from the vetiver yet fresh due to the cypress. Can't stress enough how much it should be tried.
Top notes: Cypress, fresh wet pine
Middle notes: Green, earthy vetiver
Base notes: Moss, ink, slight musk
Longevity: 4/5
Sillage: 3/5
Scent: 4/5
Design: 5/5
Gender: Masculine
Overall: 4.5/5
it's a versatile timeless scent that i could see myself buying it again, dark, mysterious and sexy.
Bought this expecting it to be the most unwearable and scary scent..
Turns out it smells like ink and pine trees in the opening, then turns to a fresh woody mature scent. I'd say this is blind buy safe BUT you have to be open minded, especially if everything you buy is sweet (me). To me it smells good though, I always wanted a woody scent but oud wood and others never hit the spot like Encre Noire. 7.5-8.5/10
Smells like a pine tree the first 30 minutes after spraying, then it turns into a greener, vetivery scent. All I can compare it to is extremely woody and maybe a bit mossy. The bottle is also really cool, simplistic but cool. Similar drydown to Terre d'Hermes but a little less vetiver.
Encre Noire by Lalique: A Lush Ode to Nature
Encre Noire by Lalique stands as a testament to the artistry of perfumery, encapsulating the essence of a damp forest floor in a bottle. As I delve into its depths, I am greeted by a rich tapestry of notes that evoke the serenity of a verdant woodland after rainfall.
At the forefront of this olfactory journey is the unmistakable scent of vetiver, imbued with an earthy robustness that anchors the fragrance in nature's embrace. This is complemented by the subtle sweetness of cypress, which adds depth and complexity to the composition. Together, these primary notes intertwine to create a sense of tranquility reminiscent of wandering through a dense forest, the air heavy with the scent of damp moss and lush foliage.
What truly sets Encre Noire apart is its remarkable longevity. From the moment it graces my skin to the lingering hours that follow, its presence remains steadfast and unwavering. Each inhalation reveals new facets of its character, ensuring that the experience is as dynamic as it is enduring.
Despite its profound depth and complexity, Encre Noire manages to exude a refreshing quality that invigorates the senses. There is a crispness to its aroma, akin to the cool mist that hangs in the air after a summer rain, which elevates the fragrance beyond mere indulgence to a sensory awakening.
One cannot overlook the remarkable value that Encre Noire offers. It possesses all the hallmarks of an expensive niche fragrance – sophistication, depth, and artistry – yet is accessible at a fraction of the price. This democratization of luxury is a testament to Lalique's commitment to excellence and makes Encre Noire a gem within the realm of fragrance.
In conclusion, Encre Noire by Lalique is a masterpiece of perfumery that transports the wearer to a realm of natural splendor. With its evocative blend of woody notes, unparalleled longevity, and exceptional value, it earns a commendable score of 7/10
Blitzreview: Winter si coming but hopefully you will endure by this cabin in the woods.
Score: 7.4
smells like you're in a dark forest with elves and its raining and blah enough of that shit, smells like those non toxic crayons I ised when I was a kid, super love it
Not a blind buy. Not for beginners. It is woody. It is earthy. Dark and Gothic. Not for everyone. After all the sweetness, after all the freshness and mass appealing fragrances (we have), sometimes you will want to wear something different. This is it. Metal Heads will like this fragrance. m/
This smells like squid ink and wet forest floors. I don't know if I like it or not lol.
Make no mistake, this fragrance is incredibly dark and gothic. There is absolutely no citrus or sweetness present.
Unique strange.
can't be easily described although it smells fresh and yet reminds me of coldness.
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxnxbgg8sGVZukC4KwfFxQ_0uYCWFc63b9?si=O8KMCfE_pyuOElLt.
easily in my top #5
Just recently blind bought this and I was quite surprised at how fresh it is; fresh in an alpine, cool mountain air sense. Not nearly as dark or gothic as I've read.
Very pleased with it, more versatile than I was expecting. Just blind bough A L 'extreme on the back of it, cant wait.
Update: it layers beautifully with Maison Alhambra 'Lovely Cherie'
don’t listen to everyone saying ‘it has no life’ ‘smells like death’ or ‘this is dark and gothic’ and so on. This is a tinge of green, a dry wood smell which is almost nutty in my opinion, and is clean. it’s good for spring/autumn maybe winter and has decent performance. i’d recommend to those on a budget or looking for an intro to vetiver. this isn’t as unconventional as people say, also to me doesn’t smell like a damp forest or anything, just clean, woody and a little green 👍
An exceptional bargain. The juice is of remarkably high quality. If it were branded, it could easily be valued at $150.
Quote me this final word if you interesting about this one :
Eternal Longevity
Strong Sillage
Dark, brooding and completely empty of life and hope.
Only wear this scent if you're a daunting, mysterious man who's fighting demons, but losing the battle everyday. It may be heartbreak, the loss of a loved one or the endless anguish of life's trials and tribulations. What ever it may be, Encre Noire knows your pain.
You have no one and you are no one, but this scent comforts you knowing that there is something as despairingly alone and in pain as you.
If any of this speaks to you, Lalique Encre Noire may be for you. If not, stay far away from this fragrance. The darkness emanating from it will consume you, and will destroy the uninitiated.
You have been warned.
Me parece una buena mezcla, pero tiene un aire de ambientador de coche, por lo que no es muy oscuro. Gran calidad por el precio, no para mí.
I find it a nice blend but it has a car air freshener vibe so it isnt very dark. Great quality for the price, not for me.
smells very grassy, can see how people catch the "darkness" in this scent, def not as bad as what the person below me is saying, not really goth however a great woody fragrance that has a lot of cypress, smells like a forest. not a bad forest but literally just a forest of cypress, for the price and performance I recommend for anyone's collection !
I decided to try out Lalique's Encre Noire on a whim, ordering a sample to meet a free shipping threshold and see what all the fuzz is about. Upon receiving it, I hesitated to even give it a try. However, curiosity got the better of me, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Contrary to the ominous descriptions I had read, Encre Noire didn't strike me as overly gothic or dark. Instead, what greeted my senses was a distinctly woody aroma. It's not unpleasant by any means, but rather a robust and raw earthy scent that speaks of forests and nature.
However, as much as I enjoy the scent on its own, I can't quite envision a scenario where I'd want to smell like a tree..
Overall, Encre Noire is an intriguing fragrance which is not for everyone. For those who appreciate woody scents it's worth a try, but be prepared for a scent journey into the heart of the woods.
UPDATE: this stuff LASTS. I took a shower and could still smell it the next day on my wrist. I can only imagine what would happen if you spray this on clothes. This one got me curious towards the flankers.
When I was in London, I went to the Lalique store to try a sample of this because I had heard interesting things about it, and I thought, what the heck. No one was in there; all I saw was expensive glass and other home goods an oligarch would have at their summer home in the south of France. I turned my head and caught a glimpse; there it was: Encre Noir, just sitting on a shelf with a whole bunch of other fragrances they made. I asked one of the sales associates for samples, then left.
That was my first experience with Lalique and EN.
At first, I thought this stuff was way too conventional and not niche enough; it simply wasn't suitable for my extremely messed-up olfactory senses, so I immediately put it aside. But then, months after I left London, I was sitting at home deciding what new fragrances to buy that weren't $100 but were still good enough to own, and EN kept coming up again and again, so I gave it another shot. When it arrived, I unboxed it, and sprayed it on a drug store receipt I had in my pocket. Instantly, I felt like kicking myself in the head; I was completely wrong the first time. It was both something worth owning and something worth wearing; how could I have been so blind?
It smells like black ink but with pepper and grapefruit, absolutely delectable. I will agree with some reviews here, though: it's not for people looking for something more conventional or something to rizz someone up with (I would probably go for Terre d'Hermes if I wanted to go that route to be honest).
Don't be misled by some of these reviews; it's nothing poetic, it doesn't invoke romantic imagery, and it's not goth. In my opinion, it's more like if you went swimming in the Atlantic, an octopus sprayed you, you showered with some type of citrus water afterward to get all the ink off, then you ate steak au poivre for dinner to heal your wounds, but the chef threw more peppercorns than they needed into the sauce, but the chef was right to do so, and it made your night. It definitely skirts the line between niche and conventional, which is exactly what I like in a perfume; something that keeps them guessing but would also not be out of place on a mega-yacht.
And I'm going to say something way out of left field here; I have not seen anyone compare this to Bang by Marc Jacobs, so I'm going to be the first one to do that. It's that + grapefruit. Maybe comparing it to that makes me a fragrance noob, but scent is subjective after all, I’m trying my best here.
It is very cheap and extremely cromulent. Highly recommend if you're not afraid of a blind buy. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area with a Lalique store or somewhere that stocks the perfume, you might have to venture into this with only these reviews in mind.
I bought this for my boyfriend a few years back based on some reviews and I must say that for the pricepoint, it's amazing!
It doesn't smell like a generic men's fragrance, it has a fresh start, but goes woody and dark and extremely elegant. It evokes the air of a well dressed man with an air of mystery about him.
You can smell the earthiness of the vetiver along with the cypress. It starts off a bit dark, but goes into a slight freshness later on. It's a bit intimidating at first, but you can sense it pulling you in.
For an EdT, the performance is phenomenal!
I can strongly agree that this would be Batman's signature scent.
A lot of people say it goes into the Terre d'Hermes direction, but when we smelled TdH in a store, we found that it has a carroty, coriander like smell which Encre Noir doesn't. My boyfriend rarely comments on scents, but he said that he would preffer Encre Noir over Terre d'Hermes any day.
Very unique, very interesting. It's a little linear but the scent itself is gorgeous and for about 40 AUD it's a no-brainer.
Not super wareable as it legit smells like an ancient, dirty, mossy, fern-covered forest. But, for the price, this is unbelievable. A niche-level, experimental/artsy fragrance that is amazing to smell but not great to wear.
As a serial killer, I am going to wear that to every hunt.
Smells expensive and unique. Deep dark masculine scent, smells like dirt with icy cypress, kinda like cellar. Great for everyday use in fall and cold spring, but it must fit your style and personality. Longevity about 3–4 hours with great projection all the way through
9/10
I thought I will like this. A very woody, earthy fresh fragrance, smells like forest soil after rain. Nice scent during the drydown, the opening is was too harsh for me, it ruins the fragrance but drydown is surprisingly smooth. I do understand why many love Encre Noir or why many hate it. Me personally, I’m in the middle. I find the performance good bit better than the average designer parfum.
This is an extremely rich bold scent. Not for teenagers or young men with a fresh clean shave and timid demeanor. This fragrance hits up front with cypress and cedar with deep notes of earth and gunpowder. The dry down is a fantastic piney earth scent. Absolutely fantastic for dark nights at the Jazz Club or bar.
Have to love this one. It’s not going to be for everyone and I feel like you need to have a certain type of personality to pull it off. It’s incredible though. To my nose it starts off with this blast of cedar and cypress that calms down into a simple but sort of intoxicating bitter orange vetiver. It feels inky, primordial and dark. It’s like a chunk of dry wood floating in a cypress swamp surrounded by fog. I don’t know if that makes sense but that’s how it smells to me.
Performance is so-so. It lasts longer on clothes than skin for me, but at the price point it’s really a must own if you are into this style of fragrances.
Rating: 🧐😳🌲
Do I like it: so - so, it's nice but not my pick
Who it is: a forest ranger that writes novels in their off hours
Smells I get: citric juniper, vetiver, cedar, oakmoss acidic and buttery vetiver, pencil shavings, white musk, cotton
Meyer's Briggs type: INTJ, ISTP
Frankly, it's what I'd expect from a purist woody oakmoss scent. It's bittersweet. Smells like an old wooden house, hence the gothic novellas here.
Serene and natural. Give it time to develop - it's meditative. Smells like a YouTube video of rain on the window sill of a wooden cottage whilst you are working and writing in your notebook inside, fire crackling away.
🌧️🌲🪵🪓🌲🌲📚📖🌲🪵🌧️🌲
Opening: the cypress in the opening is surprisingly reminiscent of a citrus, but it lasts for the entirety of 5 seconds
Heart: Well yeah, it's mostly vetiver. A plank of wood you picked up in the forest on a warm day. A bit bitter, reminiscent of dry oakmoss.
Drydown: A lovely, fuzzy musk mixing with woodsy sweetness. The more it blends with skin, the better it is.
🌧️🌲🪵🪓🌲🌲📚📖🌲🪵🌧️🌲
~~ Similar stuff I've smelled ~~
• Terre d'Hermes (way more citric, but drydown is similar to the heart of Encre Noire)
• Breath of God by Lush (more smoky, drydown similar to heart)
• Gypsy Water by Byredo (slightly sweeter cedar in here, identical drydown)
• Santal 33 (with pickles and leather but the alternative vibe is there, lasts longer)
• Dark Lord by Killian (more gothic, more damp, more alcoholic, foresty but can smell like decomp, it's a difficult one)
Happy sniffing!
I can't for the life of me understand the comments talking about nature and being transported into a forest or whatnot, sure there is a strong woody note but drawing that connection is to me quite lazy. I'm not a big fan of wood perfumes (fun fact: accord oud once made me gag lol) but this is in my oppinion a good representation of a bit more masculine smell done right!
The wood together with cachmere and musk makes the note alot cleaner, not "damp", and I stg Lalique forgot to add an inscence note as they did for the L'extreme. Imagine being outside in a big city with cobbled streets on a warm summers day. You open those bigass wooden doors leading into a chuch/cathedral that is WAY to hot on the inside and the first whiff that hits you before your nose gets used to the funky smell; that's Lalique Encre Noir.
Regarding the blind buy debate I'd say you shouldn't worry if you have €30 to spare. For me this was the gateway to more nieche perfumes down the line and despite my bank account now crying because of that I still love this pefume for opening that (bigass wooden) door!
The first time I smelled this I was transported into an ancient forest, very wet, the camp fire just got snuffed out, darkness is coming, odds of surviving seem bleak...
While I like scents that give me vivid imagery, this is a scent that I wear time to time when I am by myself but rarely if ever wear in pubilc. I remember one time I did wear it work and I was immediately self conscious, it was something straight out of Seinfield when Jerry had to wear the puffy pirate shirt on the talk show, lol.
As far as the scent goes, it starts off very smokey, as if you were trying to stay warm by a camp fire as it was raining, but ultimately the rain won and your clothes are drenched in that wet smoke smell. You have to slog through that wet ash smell for hours to get to the niceish dry down. With all the other nice scents I could be wearing, I rarely reach for this one.
I consider Encre Noire a rite of passage in the fragrance community, it is hyped and newbies blind buy it only to realize that they can't ever get rid of it because most others have also blind bought it. It is like a preverbal anchor reminding you to sample before you buy.
Batch: 2J23, which says it was created in 2020, but that is nonsense because I have had this bottle for at least 10 years. Lalique must reuse batch codes.
Edit 04/12/2024:
I wore this yesterday while doing spring cleaning on a chilly wet day and it was surprising nice. I think it was because i was outside that I didn't get much smoke, just a nice vetiver and cypress scent. This may become my fall and early spring yardwork scent. So, I you need a good yard working scent this may be for you :)
People who say this is not blind buy safe are lying. This is absolutely blind buy safe if you are not a little baby who loves synthetic and overly sweet fragrances.
This is masculine, smoky, woody, very vetiver heavy of course but it's not nearly as poetically dark or gothic as people make it out to be.
The opening is unbearable, it smells like as if you've fallen into a cypress tree, very green, very strong, but after 5 minutes, it calms down into a smoky, almost leathery (on my skin at least) vetiver and woody scent. The musks are there in a subtle way. It feels like something is missing, but honestly at this price tag it's a masterpiece. Reminds me of fallen leaves during fall.
It's not hard to wear at all, smells like a stronger drydown of a vetiver & wood based scent. It may not be the most mass appealing for sure, but I expected so much worse and divisive based on the reviews. Get the f out of here with the Dracula and gothic bs, this is just a very woody scent that is mature and masculine.
No dampness, no floral or citrusy notes, just sheer woodiness in a bottle.
Insane quality for the price. I know most people will read fragrantica before buying this, but if you are familiar with vetiver and wood-heavy smells, definitely go for it. Age group is about 25+, definitely not a teenager scent. But other than that you really can't go wrong. It might be nice for layering as well.
Definitely an 8/10, especially considering the price.
I really dont know why this is soooo relaxing...its like you shower, then you spray this thing and all your anxity is gone...
This is some sexy vampire shit. I could see why it would be polarizing, but it’s so unique and almost comforting in a way. Very earthy, very dark scent. I really enjoy it.
🎶 Tori Amos fans will understand when I describe this as the Choirgirl Hotel of men’s fragrance. 💜
I i e e e
Encre noire. The most hit or miss fragrance I have, this is all down to its complicated notes. The best way I can describe it, is a rainy day in a fresh forest, or a tree after being sawed down. Its very green and woody, yet dark and mysterious. This is a scent also that is very particular in terms of when it can be used, to me it would have to be on rainy days in the colder months. in my personal experience, this is my least favourite of my collection, just because I much prefer more sweet, and edible like colognes. But if you are in fact someone very similar to Batman, yes I would recommend.
Like the Á L'EXTREME version, it is a high-quality aroma of woods (cypress and vetiver), balsamic and deep. Dark, earthy and masculine. You won't find anything sweet here, it's simple and wonderful and I like it a lot. Against its longevity and poor trail.
What a great world we live in where everyone can build their own unique world unto themselves.
I say this because I just don't "get" Encre Noire. I love that it's unique, I love the bottle, I love the name. I love that it's not acceptable to the masses but has it's hardcore devotes. I desperately wanted to be one of them but alas it is not to be.
It smells like dirt. I you want to smell like dirt, this is for you. Encre Noire A L'Extreme smells even more like dirt with some orange peels dug from the trash to spice thigs up.
I'm still looking forward to trying Encre Indigo though. Maybe that will be the one.
what does it smell: green, bitter, sour, earthy, smoky, cold, fresh, foggy, pungent
what it makes you feel: calming, decisive, mature, manly
where it makes you feel: hiking towards valley full of cypress trees, on a foggy and rainy day
let it grow on you, you need balls to wear this
A bottle of black ink covered in moss that Dracula dabs his feather pen in to write tragic letters with while he’s snacking on graveyard mulch. In a forest, late afternoon while it’s raining. Smells worse than Beetlejuice. Terrible
this just came in the mail today and where i live it’s pouring down rain, foggy, and 45 degrees. you honestly couldn’t have picked a better day to wear this fragrance. its like a deep, dark, forest. definitely pick this up
i like it its not super dark and grunge ish like i was expecting but in a good way, for how cheap it is it reminds me of a hike in a pine forest not super strong maybe a very good moderate silage with a semi long lasting smell not my ultra favorite but for a budget fragrence its pretty good even for a blind buy.
This was by far my worst scent ever tried. The musk soapiness is so overpowering I had to wash it down but even that did not help as the fragrance persisted. I ended up having a headache. Could not sense anything but extreme blast of soap that got so irritating I think I am not looking to musky scents again. I once had similar experience with Dior Homme Intense but it wasn't that bad.
I enjoy the dry, paperi-ness and clarity of it all. It feels sleek, lean, and minimal. There's no fluff, fat, or sugar. It's like the scent equivalent of a tapered black pant. It's also nice to have on hand for taming sweeter scents. I've been pairing it with a sugary vanilla and the result is really, really lovely.
I'm obsessed with @MightyMoe's review. He's so right. Like bffr—it's definitely more like office storage space than it is vampy, forest castle. The description of it smelling the way that licking an envelope tastes is spot on.
I've always liked muskiness scents if not over done but smelling this and accidentally over sprayed it and it made me feel sick and my mind associated the smell with bong water... and now when I smell most hints of muskiness in any fragrance it disgusts me. Not only did I end up hating this fragrance, it ruined almost a whole scent profile to me thus lowering my joy in other fragrances.
I can see the joy in fragrances I dislike and I will always praise a fragrance even if I dislike it because every nose is different. I will NEVER praise this fragrance for doing what it did to me.
Dark, rich, green, earthy, soil smell that captivates my brain juice. I do like it, but almost in a love-hate kind of way. I feel like I need to wear it in a big/swamp, no shoes or socks, just one with the soil.
This is what I want in a dark woody fragrance, I live in the north and it reminds me so much of the dark spruce forests we have here. Really good price point, will buy a bottle in the future.
Straight after the spray you can smell ink, but it dries down quickly into this wet mossy tree log scent. For the price (paid $44aud) for 100ml I love it, but wont put it on in the summer.
Also side note, its easy to layer with. I use BDK's Citrus Rivera to push more aquatic into the scent.
Not so keen on this one I prefere sport and indigo versions.
It's like you walked into a cold damp wooden shed after someone just had a smoke. Tons of damp ceder in this .
The cypress makes it smell like a hospital ward after it's been cleaned with pine disinfectant.
It doesn't change much till the drydown which is the best bit , the cashmere and musks make it sweeter and more torrable .
Low projection.
Good longevity over 6 hours.
Please try a sample like I did.
I can't think of an occasion I'd wear this.
Makes me feel like I am walking through a damp snowy forest but its only like 50 degrees outside. Really hard to explain, it has that damp smell that doesn't come with a cold forest. I really like the fragrance, its no doubt a bang for the buck, that being said, I can't see myself wearing this regularly at all.
Encre Noire is a beautifully crafted fragrance from Nathalie Lawson. Encre Noire is gothically deep, dark, damp, wet and inky. This smells like walking through a damp forest and you can smell the rained on soils earthy nature and feel the texture too. Vetiver and cypress create this dry ultra masculine combination that mature men can feel their best wearing this. A lady at work told me how manly I smelt a few months ago and I paired It with Valentino Uomo Yellow Dream however I think Encre Noire swallowed that one up aha! Encre Noire can smell like walking around a spooky abandoned building covered with moss with the smell of damp wood with all different things growing and living inside. This fragrance has been crafted with so many great materials and care. This fragrance lasts for a good 8+ hours and the projection is really good! The bottle and atomiser is nice and so is the price! Dark inky vetiver! 😈
He navigates his way through the dark pine forest, moving away from the campfire he just put out. He is wearing a red lumberjack shirt, worn out jeans, and brown hiking boots. He’s got a dog by his side, a rifle over his shoulder, and an axe in his hand. He is more of an animal than man in the forest. He hasn’t seen a shower for a while, his face is muddy, and his beard is overgrown and dirty. The ladies find him polarizing, he is everything opposite of a gentleman. They pretend to dislike him, but feel an irresistible attraction towards him.
You don’t choose Encre Noire, Encre Noire chooses you. Wearing this fragrance will instantly make your nuts feel bigger, deepen your voice, and grow your chest hair.
I can see why many dislike this scent, as it is intended for real men, who happen to be very difficult to find these days. I’m not even sure if I got what it takes to wear it, but that will not stop me. I hit jackpot with this blind-buy :)
Once you get past the somewhat harsh alcoholic opening, you have a beautiful, classy, masculine forest fragrance for a ridiculously low price. Signature material.
I get some cypress at the beginning.
Then it turns in a burnt wood smell with hints of vinegar , I get a lot of ceder coming though .the dry down is nice however with the cashmere coming through. its not a big projector and longevity is average 4-6 hours .
Encre Noire is the fragrance you should wear for yourself if you love. This is the fragrance doesnt care about others opinion,compliments. It it just what it is. Cool, strict, charismatic in its own way.
Just wear it for yourself and if you don't like it, EN will wear you.
Lalique's Encre Noire: A Dark Horse You Might Not Want to Ride
Encre Noire, the inky enigma from Lalique, sits on fragrance shelves like a brooding poet in a room full of pop stars. It's affordable, yes, but affordability doesn't guarantee love, and this scent is not for the faint of heart (or nose). Let me be clear: Encre Noire is a masterpiece, but it's a niche fragrance that could leave you smelling like a gothic library after a rainstorm, and not in a good way.
First spritz? Imagine damp earth, vetiver turned up to eleven, and a hint of something...metallic? Not exactly cologne material, folks. It's earthy, yes, but not in a fresh, outdoorsy way. Think more like the soil under an ancient tombstone.
Does it get better? It depends. If you're into acquired scents, dark and mysterious vibes, then Encre Noire might blossom into a masterpiece on your skin. The vetiver smooths out, a touch of incense emerges, and the overall effect becomes intriguing, even sophisticated. But for many, it'll remain an olfactory assault.
Here's the kicker: Encre Noire doesn't play nice. It's loud, long-lasting, and has a tendency to announce your arrival before you even enter the room. Be prepared for curious (or confused) stares, especially in close quarters. This is not a fragrance for casual encounters or office wear.
So, should you buy it? Tread carefully, my friend. If you're a fragrance adventurer with a penchant for the unusual, Encre Noire might be your dark knight in shining armor (or should I say, inky vial?). But for those seeking something safe, crowd-pleasing, or even remotely fresh, this is a hard pass. Remember, affordability doesn't guarantee universal appeal, and sometimes, the most expensive fragrance is the one you don't offend anyone with.
Final verdict: Encre Noire is a niche fragrance with a niche audience. I consider it to be a masterpiece for very few that can pull it off.. It's bold, challenging, and potentially offensive. If you're intrigued by the dark side, give it a cautious sniff. But for everyone else, there are plenty of other horses in the fragrance stable that won't leave you smelling like a forgotten crypt.
P.S. If you collect fragrances, this needs to be in your collection, period!
Blind buy based in curiosity. Simple but Complex at the same time. You don’t wear this to please people. This one is all about the one who wears it. This is brilliant to me but can see where it would not be for everybody too. First time wearing it today and already ordered the backup bottles for the entire EN line. Love this stuff!
I apologize about what I said about Dior Homme Intense. This Encre Cologne has to be the worst cologne I’ve smelt in my entire life. I ordered this because the perfume picker said that based upon my likes, I should like this one. Well they need to fix the algorithm because this is the only one that I gave away. I had this on and immediately realized it smelled like ink from a pen. No lie. In smelled like somebody took a ballpoint pen and tattooed my hand, blindfolded me, then told me to guess the scent. I’m very open to niche colognes. I out of the very few on planet earth actually love Tom Ford F* Fabulous. Tom ford fabulous smells like a baby wipes in a leather jacket. I admit it. But this Encre, smells far too gone.
I put it on and said to myself “okay give it a chance” “you can dress gothic” after having this dry down and smelling it at random times throughout the day, I was forced to grab some dawn soap and try to scrub it off! It is literally headache inducing! I couldn’t stand it! I’m wearing it now regret I put it on my skin. I gave it away hours ago and haven’t missed it. I even put Prada L’homme on to draw it out and it still peaks through to piss me off.
Miroase a biserica si a cerneala , dar misto intr-un fel, interesant, nu e pentru toata lumea
For some people it smells like death or the smell of when it’s about to rain not a safe blind buy and definitely shouldn’t be your first fragrance 💀
Smells like moss on a damp log. Very forest-like smell, which I love.
Also reminds me of the smell of rosin for violin bows.
This works well as an earthy, gothic fragrance for winter mornings. Works as an evening fragrance too.
Love this one, love love love it. Intense, fresh, dark, mature smell. I first got this because I wanted a winter fresh smell. This fits that perfectly and is also good for late autumn. Day or night is fine. I was worried wearing it to the office but the conservative projection helps there. Very versatile smell. My partner loves this smell. I don't think everyone would like this though so keep that in mind before you blind buy. That said I blind bought and am very happy.
Only got into fragrances about 4 months ago. blind bought this and liked it quite a bit it’s a nice fragrance. not very wearable to be honest though, it’s quite dark and ominous. it has this sought of inky smell under all the woodyness. I recommend it as a cheapy for a starter like myselfs collection.
Smells like the smoke that fills the air from shisha/hooka. Almost like a sweet smoke smell. Horrible.
Absolutely the best sub-$30 perfume for the money- IF and only if you really like really dry woody smells.
There is absolutely nothing mass-appealing about this. It is extremely dry, with a lot of cypress and vetiver, and yet somehow while being relentless it's not piercing in it's smell. When I first bought this I was quite disappointed and didn't think I would be able to wear this on a cool crisp winter morning but it's almost suited perfectly for that. Although it won't warm you up like something sweet and vanillic, it just sets the mood perfectly on an overcast winter morning where you walk out and the cold air stings your nostrils a bit. I am absolutely obsessed with forest smells, having grown up in North Carolina with a whole bunch of evergreens right behind my house as well as several lavender bushes and a whole bunch of mint in my garden so this is just like heaven in a bottle for me. Dark but not depressing - just cool, crisp, and woody. Will have a bottle of this in my collection forever and ever.
I love this, reminds me of deep dark mountain forest, which is exactly what I was hoping for it to be.
It's good! Not blind buy safe, but it's a thick woody fragrance with this very pleasing cashmere background.
I'll be honest and say that I initially disliked this fragrance upon first sample. But after wearing it a few times, it's grown on me. The fragrance is simplistic - transitioning from cypress to vetiver, then to a woody musk. I get a little bit of citrus although it's not an official note. It's dark, damp and moody - but not in a bad kind of way. It reminds of visiting a dimly-lit, mom and pop bookstore on a cloudy, rainy day. It's a calming experience to my nose and I'm excited to compare it to the A L'Extreme flaker soon.
To me it smells like inhaling chimney smoke while walking along an avenue of cypresses on a grey, cloudy day. It is not raining yet but it will soon. I can imagine a stern, well groomed man aged around 40 in dark clothes wearing this fragrance... I like it.
It's a nice smell, my wife likes it and she is very critical about perfumes. Encre Noire is wet, smells like forest, dark, mysterious. It's not your typical perfume. Has 0 sweetness, and it's not particularly comforting. It has balls and character.
This is a really good dark fragrance. Definitely not for my age but I like it. 10/10 Some people may find it way to dark and not comfortable to wear. But for someone with good taste in fragrances this is good.
Very fresh and brief introduction of cypress and pine, goes straight to vetiveriol and cashmeran and tons of isoe.
Beautiful composition. Dry, bitter, dark and creative scent.
One of best blended and vetiver themed fragances.
Ohh, and it's around 20 euros.
Please stop saying it's ghotic and that it smells of death. And pls don't complain it's synthetic, it obviously is, but it's masterfully blended and so much better than most niche crap and copy houses that churn out stuff with zero creativity.
So many reviews with “dark” and “brooding” or it smells like something a funeral director would wear etc etc. I do not get that at all. My father is a funeral director and he smells like polo green. I lived in the house attached to the funeral home growing up and I worked there through my 20’s and into my 30’s. There is nothing even remotely funeral home or death like about this fragrance in any way to my nose. What it does remind me of is the print shop I used to frequently visit to pick up more business cards for the funeral home. This smells like a file storage room or maybe old book store or library. Smells more like a freshly printed newspaper than Dracula’s castles. In a strange way this smells to me the way that licking a letter to seal it tastes if that makes sense. I find it inky and more parchment like than dark or depressing. It’s definitely different for a man’s fragrance and I feel it is well done and is simple and beautiful. The bottle is also simple and beautiful, fitting of what’s inside.
I really like this one! Fell for the hype and dozens of reviews. Bought a discount bottle online and I love it. Does it smell like a “blood thirsty gothic vampire stalking through the forest at night?” No. Do you need to be a creature of the night to enjoy? No. TBH I’m a little of both but enjoy the subtle subversive feeling I get wearing this on the subway at 9am on my way to a morning meeting.
This has been a fun experiment in morning wear. The first 1 hour or so is INTENSE. And I can feel myself radiating during the commute. However, by the time I get to work it mellows out and becomes an assertive but nice musky, woody scent with a hint of leather. This is a big fragrance but at no point do I ever feel self-conscious with it on.
I tend to like most woody smells, and the way these woods mix with the musk keep the scent from going too flat, 1 dimensional, and “funky” on my skin.
Recommend - especially if you find for cheap online.
A great value for money fragrance if you enjoy earthy, vetiver scents. I purchased this after the sport and whilst I personally prefer the sport version, I can still appreciate the artistry of the scent.
The sport flanker (despite it being fresher) I find a lot more masculine than the original and this is a lot more unisex. The scent itself is very similar with the beautiful cypress top note which remains throughout. The smoky vetiver then plays a part and the earthiness then takes a hold.
The performance is also inferior to the sport version which is surprising as typically fresher scents don't last as long (especially in the damp, raining British weather).
All in all I like the fragrance however it is redundant in my collection as I find the sport flanker to be its superior in all facets.
On Cloth smells like walking through a forest full of pine trees.
On Skin smells like a woody/earthy by the fireplace vibe. This takes me back years ago when i was a child and i would love climbing trees hugging it close and smelling it....really is nostalgic to me.
I think that anyone that is into perfumery should own this perfume or a tester at some point of their collecting career. Encre Noir’s uniqueness is such that it is very enjoyable to experience and I feel that my nose and understanding of perfumes has improved greatly thanks to this perfume. The uniqueness and linearity are a great combination that makes this a wonderful perfume for a perfume enthusiast.
I have owned this for about three years now and used almost half of the bottle. Yesterday I decided to let this go finally. It was not an easy decision because I still think that it is a great scent and for certain occasions or moods. I am selling this because I have realized that in the last year or so I reach for this mostly only when I am at home and want to test once again how this smells and to analyze the scent, and I do not reach to it anymore to actually wear it anymore.
#Flamesseker summarizes it really well in that first sentence of the review well how this stuff smells and feels. Many people say that it smells dark or gothic or that this would be good for funerals or depression. I can understand why they say that, as this has no sweetness or freshness to it. However, to me this is still an uplifting scent. Not in a citrussy way (none there), but because it gives that feeling of being in nature and a forest, which is something that I love to do and which cheers me up. In the cold climate where I live, this mostly reminds me of autumn. I guess that the emotions that Encre Noir raises depend where one lives and whether one considers a forest after rain to be scary and dark, or cozy, uplifting and energizing. For me it is the latter one. So yes, it is a polarizing scent because of its uniqueness but a truly great one. Great to own and smell but challenging to use. Niche perfumery for very affordable price at its best.
Had heard nothing but terrific things about this scent, and I wish I had smelled the same scent everyone else had. Unfortunately, Encre Noire and I simply don't click. A deeply linear scent that evoked the sensation of standing next to an elderly, female coworker who is hard at work, laboring over a hot printer, churning out a massive stack of inky papers. It strikes me as noxious, and slightly sickening. My fiancée, however, really liked the scent! It's hers now. Different strokes!
It smells great if you like earthy scents, hard to wear though. I would only go to a funerel while wearing this.
This is a walk in an autumn forest after rain. There's the pines and wet earth, tree resin, rotting leaves and fallen logs with mushrooms growing on them.
A tad too dry and almost bitter for me. I do get the urge to keep smelling it, yet I'd prefer it if something were added. The slightest touch of spices or florals or something. Just like how with Terre d'Hermes the earthiness is balanced out with mandarins, but it doesn't even need to be that strong. I ordered decants of the flankers so we'll see. Maybe I'll prefer those. Or maybe this will grow on me. Crazy that this is available for such low prices btw.
Nice scent, on my skin it's quiet and *very* long-lasting. I applied two sprays on one wrist over 24 hours ago, then 12 hours later layered Lolita Lempicka Homme over it. I can still smell the Encre Noir (and a little Lempicka homme).
Bro this fragrance is so good It does not smell like ink it will obviously if you delude yourself into believing it it smells like makybe a dry rain forest if that makes sense🤣
When I smell this I think of a dry sanded slightly dusty wood plank (in a good way), with a little bit of and ink-vibe. I don't get the rainy forest feel at all, because I'm not getting any greennes or "wetness" from this. It's just dry, clean and classy. More masculine leaning absolutely, but as a woman I also enjoy this. Sometimes by itself when I crave something woody without any sweetness or florals or anything like that, sometimes layered (most often with Zaras Supreme vanilla, because they share the same inky note).
Edit: oof, I might have ruined this a bit for myself... Skip reading this if you don't wanna risk getting a bad scent association! I work in a hospital and we have some deodorizers in the bathroom and... Something smells similar. (I don't know if all brands have the same smell, just my specific experience with one.) In a way they smell like nothing, but they do have a dry hay/grass like vibe that my nose apparently links with vetiver. Might have to figure out some layering kombos.
Very very strong cypress and a bit of juniper, yea i feel bit of that wet damp forest, and a tímy bit of vetiver, but 98 percent is pure cypress
I just blind-bought mine and sprayed it for the first time a few minutes ago. I don't get why people get a dark association with this fragrance (it might also be because im comparing this to my Terroni), the smell is an amazing winter night smell, wanna smell like the forest goes for it, wanna smell unique go for it, don't have a huge budget go for it.
I see no reason not to get it, you can't go wrong with 100ml for 20 euros.
Incredible value dark and mysterious fragrance. Lalique knocked it out of the park with this and the price is in the "just buy it you will not regret it" tier. Nathalie Lorson is the master behind this and I cannot for the life of me decide whether I like this or the a l'extreme more. They are so unique and have this imposing subtle power to them. Buy Buy Buy even if just to appreciate the artistic expression of these notes.
can't wear this without thinking about how it is the exact aromatic translation of the album seventeen seconds by the cure . . . especially a forest. or the scene in new moon after edward dumps bella in the middle of the woods and she turns catatonic until werewolves come save her. this kind of makes me feel like demons of lonesomeness and cold are feasting on my heart or i'm making out with a frozen cement wall in an abandoned industrial park and my eyes won't make tears
It brings to my mind Edgar Allan Poe writing inside a cabin surrownded by cypresses.
Try it! it's great for the price and just very unique. It's kind of supposed to smell like a forrest but I mainly get the smell of mint from this, also wet leaves and other greens. I also think it smells like vegetables?? just try it.
I bought it cuz of the hype, and cuz it is cheap. Like the notes suggest, very woody, smoky, and dark. If you are someone younger or simply like sweeter/fresher fragrances, don't get it! You won't like it. Go to stores and test out DARK WOODY fragrances and see if you like that style before choosing to buy it. Overhyped, but definitely appeals to a small group of people.
This is such a hyped fragrance. I dont know how something can smell gothic or mysterious, but thats now how I would describe this. Stepping back from reading others reviews and watching videos this is a simple but aggressive fragrance. To me it smells like a sharp and sour wet hay smell. I dont get any ink smell. It doesnt change much through the dry down either. There is a complete lack of sweetness here which does make it smell very different from most fragrances.
To me it lasts a while on clothes and skin.
At the end of the day I can learn to like most things and I think Encre Noir is an acquired taste. Its value is in the cheap price and unique character. I think I have gotten used to it but my GF really doesnt like the smell of this. It will probably be traded since I am not the only person who has to smell it.
Cypress, vetiver, and wood--so much wood! Encre Noire reminds me of crushed oak leaves in autumn and many shades of moss. I gave a bottle to my husband, and I spray it on my hand sometimes because to me it's perfectly gender neutral in the way that a forest is gender neutral. It reminds me of Sycomore more than any other perfume I have ever smelled. Encre Noire is an EDT, but it wears like an EDP, in my opinion. I have yet to smell a Nathalie Lorson scent that I didn't at least admire.
Never have the chance to wear this, the cypress note is too much. Good only for outside, never wear it indoors. It's a shame, vetiver in it is awesome.
If you can romanticize a damp, decaying leaves and moss covered church that has been abandoned but you swear you can still smell incense burning... you'll love it. If those vibes aren't for you, then I would pass. I adore the vibes but unfortunately, it doesn't last on my skin at all. This is also a very male leaning fragrance, so all the reviews are correct on that. This is a very clean, green, and dark scent and as someone who loves to get her hands on niche dark fragrances this is a fun addition to my collection!
A popular European internet-based retailer sells Encre Noire sometimes for 110 and sometimes for as low as 14. There seems to be no logic to Lalique pricing. It's a great scent at 15 Euros! I remember my first bottle - now almost 20 years ago. It was mysterious and compelling, audacious and had excellent performance and some evolution - in the way Fahrenheit was fantastic when it was first released.
The current iteration of Encre Noire is a shadow, though still worth buying and wearing.
A nice scent. Simple. Quiet.
Pleasant. Clean. Reassuring.
Encre Noire is earth green woody goodness.
It is not, however, anything dark, noir, nor "gothic" to say the least. The later description - which I see so frequently bandied about in reference to this friendly, almost holistic smelling, fume - is absolutely risible, I'm sorry. One can only conjecture that those who find EN deep, dank, gloomy, or mysterious have been weaned on the candyland of wan confectionery juices which have flooded the market for a quarter century now. If anything, I find EN in fact freshens with the passing hours - in all its subtle sylvan delightfulness, however intimate in nature. ( The allusion to ink is not lost on me entirely, though I do find it a bit of an artistic stretch. )
Equally, I feel compelled to comment that EN is in no way a substitute for CHANEL Sycamore ( for years my better half's signature scent). Yes, there is a mild, shadowy resemblance - a faded postcard reminder of Sycamore's glory. But there's an opulence in Sycamore - a dynamic, enthralling vibrance which EN cannot hold a candle to. Not that I'm saying I agree with the staggering price disparity, mind. ( I've heavy rotation £35 bottles in my collection that I adore just as much as some £350 ones I enjoy with restraint!) But it is what it is, and these two really are rather different cousins at the end of the day. And EN can certainly be appreciated on its own merits.
The brevity of Encre Noire's initial sillage is especially impressive, sadly, - achieving skin scent in under 30 minutes of application. That said, and equally impressive in a good way for a contemporary EdT, its longevity exceeds seven hours. Only this evening, as I strolled past a perfume display window beneath a chilly drizzle, I spied a 100ml retailing for £40. Hence I was prompted to finally opine upon a fragrance I've solidly liked for a decade or more. So if you find EN's flavour irresistible, it's decent VfM, I guess. On the other hand I do find there's many other infinitely more complex, deep, - even 'dark & mysterious' - enthralling creations with presence and oomph out there that can be had at an equivalent price point.
★★☆☆☆
The legend. Possibly the most frequently recommended cologne I have ever seen, but maybe this is because I like cypress and vetiver and so I was wandering around in its neighborhood. And it is maybe one of the best options by price, if this is the type of scent you're looking for. But it's a little too simple and subtle for me. It is a classic, you can't go wrong with it, but my preference is for strong, unique, distinctive, long lasting colognes and this doesn't quite tick those boxes. I might feel very differently about a stronger formulation.
Dark, woody, earthy. As a woman, I feel like I could definitely wear this when I don’t want anything sweet, it’s not overtly masculine. It brings to mind old leather boots with mud on the soles, a smudge of black oil on tanned skin, worn in denim jeans, a man of few words who frequents the run down motorcycle bar in the middle of nowhere. It’s definitely moody and I really like it, I feel like it would layer well.
I just bought this today, i love opening and the drydown but after 30 mins or so i can barely detect it unless i put up nose upclose.
Not sure if i should try buying it from another shop
I recently got a sample of this. I like it. It's different for sure. On my first wearing, the earthy and vetiver notes really stood out. Reminded me of some beard oil I used to wear. The second wearing, I swear I smelled a heavy note of black licorice. It is definitely dark and masculine.
It literally smells like a cabin/lodge in the forest and i think it's very hard to find the right time to wear it.
Reall lovely, I will say I do have to over spray to compensate for its lack of longevity - aside from that the first 2-3 hours or so are beautiful
Smells like dark black soil with mulched up leaves and a soggy rotting log lying on the ground after it rained. Impeccable fragrance for the price excellent fragrance full stop I would pay 50+ for this. VERY love or hate my sister and mother despise it while me and my friends love it. Dark masculine woody earthy. Performance is the only thing letting this down does not last or project well enough. 9/10
Gothic, dark, funebre... Lol, people! It is not like that. It is just a slightly inky and more cypressy intrepretation of the classic old school vetiver scent, in the vein of Guerlain Vetiver etc. The dentist I had as a kid used to smell like this.
The performance is very poor, both longevity and projection. Opens up very harshly with intense alcohol smell. After it settles it becomes somewhat interesting if you are into vetiver and earthy, woody scents. It unfortunatelly gives some insecticide vibes from time to time, probably the synthetic cypress or the poor quality vetiver used.
As a vetiver fan I had to try it to see what the fuss is about and I was disapointed mostly due to the really poor performance and the synthetic materials. Ok, it is dirt cheap but still I had expected something a bit better. Save some more money and buy Guerlain Vetiver instead, you will not be disapointed if you liked this one or found it interesting.
If this formula was made with high quality raw materials this would be very interesting indeed.
I had been about halfway into finding my signature fragrance ( narciso for him, now discountinued) when I first heard of the infamous octopus ink accord given off by this fragrance. So I blind bought it, obviously. On the day it arrived, I deliberately delayed smelling it until my evening cruise that very same night. That consequent initial sniff, in retrospect, was pure awe. I had never smelled vetiver ever, albeit so densely before that special night, and was humbled by its absolute, unequivocal power. A singular smell that begs to be deeply inhaled over and over, again and again. The projection and sillage is momentously radial to about 6 feet. It lasts forever too. Not for generous wear, but indeed for when the occasion calls for it. I can’t tell you what occasion that would be, but once you smell it for yourself, you’ll finally understand the true significance of what it means to revere something.
A true unforgettable smell. Get yourself a bottle and cherish it.
If you ever watched the hannibal tv show this smells like how I imagine the woods in the 2nd episode smell
This scent on it's own smells like a log in the woods. It's a very dry wood scent, almost as if you walked into a hot sauna and were hit with dry cedar and vetiver.
On it's own, it's not the best scent, but you can definitely use this to layer with other scents. If you have something that you wish were a bit more of an oud fragrance, you can definitely use this to oud it up a bit.
A good starter layering example would be to use a bit of this scent along with another vanilla heavy scent. The two smells together might do more than they can on their own. For me, the Dior Homme intense drydown is a bit too one dimensional. So I dab a bit of this on, and BAM! I get a nice complex dry down scent that is wholly it's own.
I wouldn't recommend wearing this on it's own, but it's an amazing layering tool.
If you want to "sample" this : go to Whole Foods health and vitamin isle: find the essential oils rack: SAMPLE cypress essential oil. That's about 90% IT! I think cypress hits that "new carpet smell note" and once I got that into my head- I could NEVER get it out. I hate this stuff. It was an early "blind buy" and back then - 2 sprays of this would fill a supermarket. Not sure how the new batches are.
Old books, damp freshly hewn wood, disturbed forest soil, gardening shears, the dusty concrete of an austere brutalist courtyard, crushed leaves. What it lacks in complexity Encre Noire makes up for in mood.
This is easy to recommend to anyone who wants to experiment a little and is interested in more challenging and unconventional profiles because it is so cheap at discounters. Doubly so for those whom enjoy attractive flacons.
However I would not recommend this to anyone that wants something conventionally pleasant because for 90% of people, absolutely nothing about EN smells pleasant, ant least initially.
I was among those taken aback upon first whiff: “what is this foul odor?” But as sure as rain during an outdoor wedding, I was eventually seduced. That doesn’t mean it gets worn every day. But when the mood hits, Encre Noire is ready to write another chapter in pitch black ink.
I love this fragrance its smells like pine tree and long lasting too after one day it smell sweet on my shirt 9/10
Love this. I got my sample based on a review by a lady from the UAE, she is so elegant she couldn’t steer me wrong. This is giving me the earthy, woody elements I love in Cabochard. I’m not saying they smell alike!! But if you dig Cabochard you might like this. I’m getting a bottle, could also be a good layering fragrance.
Woohoo! I’m happy.
It smells like Something a witch brewed.
Something Fester Adams or Gomez would wear.
You have to keep the price in mind when reviewing this fragrance.
One of those rare examples of cheap but good perfumes. I would not say it smells expensive really, it's not creamy nor complex, but it smells real, like being outside.
It's manly... dark, damp, earthy, woody, smells like a cool autumn rainy day in the forest. Perfect everyday cold weather scent.
It lasts and projects well.
For the price, it's an amazing deal.
This is my funeral fragrance. It smells like death. Whoever who created this fragrance didn't finish the job. I'm convinced this is unfinished perfume. Or maybe the perfumer badly wanted to create something different for the sake of it. It smells like a dark Benzene, metallic, motorcycle engine oil mixed with kerosene. It has no middle note whatsoever.
It is for the tattooed, leather jacket wearing man who's got piercings on his belly-button. He doesn't care. His life is in taters and he couldn't care what people think of him.
A rebel.
I'm not him. I use this rebellious fragrance to base my most soft, unisex fragrances like Baccarat Rouge 540.
Or I use it on its own when I'm heading to funeral.
It just smells like cypress. It became grating quickly. But if you like the scent of cypress, this might be for you.
This is more of a sociological study than a fragrance. Studying how many people can declare than a dry hay/vetiver fragrance "smells gothic" just because they saw someone else type it.
The guy who called it a "cowboy" scent is closer. I'd say farm scent. Dry hay and vetiver. It's just the smell of a dry prairie.
A plain, probably elderly-leaning scent (that a very elderly person might use to cover something up rather than to smell sexy or powerful).
It would be suspicious enough for one person to say something "smells gothic", much less 10,000 people repeating the exact same meaningless sentence.
We find descriptors like death, gothic, bitter, dark... but if you're at all familiar with rainy days and foggy nights along the California coast, or nearby a PNW forest or similar environment, it just smells like... outside. Misty cypress and vetiver. Nothing challenging. Woody, green, damp earthiness... cool in the opening, bit warmer as it dries down. That's it. If you trick your brain, maybe it smells "inky."
But it's elegantly done and smells expensive. Standard performance for an EDT. Very similar to Grey Vetiver and Sycomore. Are people calling those "gothic?" Or could it just be... suggestive thinking by Encre Noire's bottle design? (a personal favorite btw. Atomizer is fine.)
The atomizer is more like a weak water gun, it requires a lot of sprays to be noticeable, and the wears off somewhat fast. But for $30 and how it smells, doesn’t bother me too much!
This one is redolent of abandoned houses and haunted castles. The composition is rather simplistic, but it plays out masterfully. A Gothic must have, particularly for gentlemen. The only downside is the constant need for respraying, but at current prices, you can bathe in it.
People keep saying this is a "gothic scent",
I think the best way to describe this scent, is cowboy.
Smells like what you'd imagine a clean rodeo would be like and the smell of leather saddles.
It's a dark, peppery and leathery scent, with a sort firewood note as well, very interesting fragrance, and extremely cheap for what it is.
It's extremely masculine, If you prefer softer sweeter scents, you may not enjoy it, it's not sharp or overwhelming, it's somewhat of a dull scent but also has decent projection.
I heard all the fuss about encre noire , that is a gothic fragrance and I bought it blindly cause I didn't find where to test it. So basically it smell like my dad not in a masculine kind of way but in a " I'll treat all my illnesses with medicinal herbs and I won't go to the doctor" kind of way . I guess it goes down to your ability to make connections between smells and stuff , for me at least is very reminding of the days when I was sick and my grandma tried to heal me with herbs
Sadly appears to be 'viral', influencer-driven fragrance. Hence all of the people suspiciously repeating that it "smells gothic" (?????).
Beware of thousands of people using the same random, nondescriptive/nonsensical word to promote a cheap fragrance, it usually means they're all just repeating a reviewer/influencer, who in turn probably just made something up based on the name/bottle.
Is your idea of gothic: Stale hay and ballpoint pens? Because that's what this smells like.
I would name it "Small Town Dead-End Job Pour Homme".
Hey, I guess that does sound kind of gothic.
Perhaps a "Going Postal Pour Homme" flanker that smells like stale hay + shipping tape.
peppery, cold, and sharp to start with. the pepper persists, but it rounds out and broadens into dark inky woody comfort. aromatic sharpness undergirded by leathery warmth. cold brisk air and fragrant trees outside. global appeal, reliable and fabulous. not a lot of longevity, but the bottle is so cheap it doesn’t hurt to spray again.
Encre Noir is NOTHING like "Wonderwood" by CdG or "He Wood Rocky Mountain" by DSquared2. Those votes are an absolute lie!! I am telling you this because I own all 3 fragrances. Encre Noir smells nothing like those two. It is a dry, dark, dense, distinctive, and unique woody scent that is based on the notes of cedar wood and vetiver. The fragrance is a peppery, hay, straw-like vetiver scent that is engulfed in a slightly smoky, ink-like smell. Imagine it: A smoky, dark, inky, peppery, hay encapsulated in cedar wood. Encre Noir is an affordable, niche fragrance that is perfect for winter nights, but I have personally worn it in the daytime as well. The longevity of the scent is indeed 6-9 hours depending on the number of sprays, and the sillage is moderate. While I love to wear the scent on its own, it is a perfect layering scent due to its simplicity. My personal layer combo includes Encre Noir and Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton for a bit of freshness added to such a dark fragrance.
As it relates to this scent, here is a word of advice: DO NOT (I REPEAT) DO NOT OVERSPRAY THIS FRAGRANCE!! People in frag-comm LOVE to overspray. This IS NOT a fragrance that you should overspray. Leave your overspray addiction to your fresh fragrances. Remeber: Encre Noir is a dark, woody Fougere. Its dryness and smoky, "barn-yard hay" smell will develop over time. Therefore, DO NOT overdo it--4-6 SPRAYS MAX, and even 6 sprays are pushing it.
It is a great scent for someone age 25+. It is definitely a mature man's fragrance. Every dude will NOT be able to pull this scent off. Therefore, it is NOT a safe buy, but this is just my opinion. Do not base your opinion on me.
For ANY fragrance, read reviews before buying it, but take them with a grain of salt. Everyone has their own opinion regarding smells. Some people love a specific fragrance. Some people hate it. My advice is for you to GET A SAMPLE OF ANY FRAGRANCE BEFORE YOU BUY IT. That way, you can assess it yourself and have your own thoughts rather than strictly going off someone else's thoughts and opinions.
The first dark niche fragrance I bought. For the price (at discounters), this is a no-brainer. Very interesting scent; it reminds me of inky damp woods. I've seen people compare it to a graveyard, and I have to disagree with that. Decent performance; I wish it lasted 12 hours. It will always be in my top 10.
The only fragrance in my wardrobe targeted specifically to men. And one of the fragrance which I MUST have in my collection.
Some of people compared it to the basement smell and I really can see why. In my case, this almost photorealistic smell creates or enhances my mood
So, my associations are: perfect for Halloween, witchy, earthy, smell of a freshly opened pack of cigarettes in the opening mixed with cypress, then damp soil, vetiver. Foggy forest after the rain, it is autumn, someone is walking behind your back and watching you. It is getting darker. Real gothic fragrance
But at the same time... I am walking downstairs to the basement. There is mold, some bags with potatoes and I need to take something. The wooden shelves are wet. The light is not working, I am using my phone and trying to find what I need as fast as possible. I am a bit afraid of the darkness and have a feeling that the door might close at any moment and I will stay there forever.
in contrast to all of this, there is some cozy musk in the deep drydown :3
Price can't be better.
Longevity is moderate, would like it better.
I like it, i bought the 50ml for 16 dollars so i cant really complain. However i wouldnt have bought it if it was more than 30 dollars. It smells like a foggy spruce forrest right after its been raining.
Not sure why so many people hate this smell - it's musky, woody, and fresh. Smells like a deep pine forest, definitely invokes a graveyard-y feeling, but quite easy to wear. Quite elegant. Sillage sucks and it also last for around 4 hours MAX - but it's super cheap so I can't really expect more. For the price, I would say it's a good buy.
Lalique Encre Noire
I have so many words to describe this fragrance. Dark, smoky, earthy, gothic scent. It smells like you just walked into the woods at night. It’s elegant and unique, I haven’t smelled something like this ever, surprisingly good for it’s price, this is the only perfume I would recommend to someone that wants something cheap and uncommon. Strong scent but yet fresh, again like the other fragrances in my collection may not be on everyone’s taste. Amazing design, the black bottle with the wood cap with a craving in it with the name of the brand, the bottle looks exactly like the scent. The projection is pretty good, but don’t expect a good logevity, after all it is eau de toillete. I’m giving it a 10/10, unexpected rating I would say, even if it is not long lasting I just love it.
Very putrid and earthy opening. After 30 - 60 min. it becomes an OK vetiver smell, but man, that opening is really love or hate.
Dark, mysterious, meditative but yet simple.. from the first spray I smell all the notes mentioned and some smokiness, from the first 30 minutes or so there’s also something fresh and more balsamic that disappears after a bit leaving a dryer scent. It transports me in the woods while there’s a light rain coming down the trees and plants and you find yourself there alone listening and meditating. I don’t find any evolution.
Beautiful and serious perfume, for the price is a total best buy if you like the dark smoky genre.
If it was a piece of music for me it would be the beginning of Verklarte Nacht by Arnold Schoenberg
I unfortunately was not transported to a dark forest or a gothic/vampiric setting by Encore Noir.
I had been excited to sample this sent based on its outsized reputation, its scent profile, and its price point. Furthermore, Lalique is a designer I don't get to try often and they do have some interesting offerings.
The first sniff is a sharp hit of aromatics, that I almost mistook as lemon because they were so bright. The first few minutes are simple to me, fresh aromatics with a hint of something musk-like but nothing defined.
I gave it a couple hours to dry down to see if the nicer, woodier notes would come out. Overall the notes stayed the same though, just growing a bit softer and maybe slightly sweeter.
Altogether, I'm a little disappointed with this scent. It's not particularly interesting (basic vetiver scent) and it doesn't smell particularly good to me (really not my style and is just not all that alluring to me.)
I'll give it a 6.5/10, mainly because it's fairly priced.
A fragrance that doesn't just scent the skin but tells a gothic tale, an enigmatic embrace. Deeply rooted in the earthy allure of cypress and the mysterious vetiver, it is akin to wandering through a fog-enshrouded forest.
The experience begins with a bold cypress aroma, reminiscent of a gothic cathedral's mystical aura. It's a solemn vow to earthiness, evoking images of Count Dracula awakening in a candlelit chamber to pen a hateful letter in deep black ink, surrounded by natural and authentic forest and crypt scents. As the narrative unfolds, a dusty, acidic vetiver emerges. The finale is marked by the luxurious blend of cashmere wood and musk. These base notes wrap around you like a velvet cloak, their subtlety revealing a fragrance akin to an abandoned, dusty wooden cabin, full of silent stories. This woody heart of Encre Noire is a sensory echo of the bottle cap's woody visage.
Encre Noire's soul, at home in the shadows of gothic realms, a fragrance that defies expectations, suited for both reflective walks through fog-laden cemeteries and the solace of quiet, rainy days. Its longevity is commendable, while its sillage is very mellow.
This fragrance offers niche quality at an affordable price, a gothic luxury accessible to all. It is the quintessential choice for those who seek a scent that's as mysterious as Halloween night and as authentic as a natural forest. Its unique character contrasts sharply with other occasions, though it's versatile enough for various settings. While some may opt to wear it to the gym, its distinctive nature seems more aligned with contemplative environments.
While it could be considered a bold statement, Encre Noire may find its true essence in settings like cemeteries and funerals, resonating with the solemnity and depth of these environments. It just simply feels otherworldly.
Opening note: 9-
Sillage/Projection: 4-
Dry down: 8
Longevity: 7-
Blend/Composition: 9-
Versatility: 3-
Uniqueness: 10
Value for money: 10-
Bottle design/Aesthetics: 9-
Overall experience: 7+
Blind-buy rating: 2-
I’ve allowed my bottle to macerate for over 6 months, and it’s presently among my top 5 woody scents in my collection, longevity, sillage and projection is beastly now!!
I loved this scent before it macerated, and even love it more now!!!
i was soooo hoping i would like this one since people say its gothic and foresty which sounds like its right up my alley. but i get SUCH heavy vetiver and honestly nothing else, maybe it needs macerating but i've had to scrub it off everytime i've tried it on.
also thought i could pull it off as a woman but i don't think i can, super manly, which i guess is expected from a men's perfume lol
On my skin it smells like the dirt of a Cyprus forest filled with it's leaves backed up by a fullness in the air. My first truly gothic and woody fragrance and I'm quite pleased, especially for the price. Intense woods & earth with hints of musk and other green notes. Smells quite like a forest in the best way possible. Only have a 5ml tester but will most likely end up getting a bottle.
A beautiful woody and smoky melange with protective trails to get through the day. Fosters creativity for problem solving and keeps alertness and dull situations at a distance. A great friend through the day. Keeps idiots away and friends and allies close.
all i smell is vetiver so it gives off a damp soil/grass/dirt/earthy thing.. for me i prefer to wear it when it is foggy so blend in. :) all ismell is vetiver. i dont get the cypress.. i guess maybe that is alcohol brightness of opening? it is interesting and a good one to layer if you have a frage that is too sweet, add this for some manliness. :)
The first few days after buying this fragrance, the cypress, the musk and cashmere were the only thing I could smell, which made me a bit disappointed at first, since I was expecting something earthy and woody. Still, I started to like the creamy-minty combination. Also with 2-3 sprays i would get a couple of hours of projection and almost a day of longevity. After a week or so it started to smell plasticky, inky (someone here said that it smells like a woman's purse, which seems to fit the bill) with that minty cypress over it. Also a nice smell, again, great performance. After about two weeks the cypress started to fade away and let the vetiver shine through. It now smells very smoky and woody, kinda like a green fir branch which was burnt on one end. That creamy smell also seems to have faded a bit, which to my nose is a shame. The only issue i have with it now is performance, especially projection. I've heard people say that you can get anosmic to the iso e super in this but I've asked my friends and they seem to agree that the fragrance doesn't project that well. It requires ~8 puffs on both clothes and skin to get somewhat of a performance. Such a shame, otherwise the fragrance is a nice break from the sickly sweet fragrances that I smell so often on others
Lasts about 3 hours first hour being decent projection, and then the remaining 2 hours very weak projection. After 3 hours it’s a skin scent for maybe 3 more hours and then it’s gone.
It smells exactly as it is named. Like black ink. Do not be deceived by the poetic reviews about it smelling like a damp forest or anything like that. Perhaps at most it smells like a dusty abandoned wooden cabin in a forest. It’s got that old study/library smell. It doesn’t smell like your grandfather, but it smells like the room where he keeps his old books that he wrote long ago with ink and a fountain pen. Maybe he spilled a few bottles of black ink on the wooden floors over the years.
Inky. Woody. Dusty.
Really unique and good when you want to smell nostalgic for yourself. Would never wear it out of the house.
Bought this one as an early Christmas gift for myself and boy, I'm obsessed. I needed a base note for colder months to layer with more floral/fruity scents. I was worried that it would be too masculine and boy... I'm obsessed now. Although a bit intense after the initial spray, with every hour it gets fresher and lighter, more of an unisex scent for sure. Even if my boyfriend decides he loves this scent for himself, I'll fight for my bottle for sure. I can't get enough of this woody, damp scent. It performs amazing on my skin and even with a light spray on the wrists I can feel it all day long around me. The price is amazing and the bottle just gorgeous, will definitely be displaying it on a shelf somewhere.
A niche perfume at small price! It is nice, unique and dark with notes of cypress. suitable for cold rainy days. it lasts 6-8 hours with a noticeable sillage. I first bought for my husband as a gift but I ended using it with him
I bought this for my husband, thinking that I'd wear it myself if he didn't like it, but fortunately he really does like it. Chalk up another win for Nathalie Lorson!
I treat this as an everyday type of fragrance. A couple of sprays before I head out to the gym or grocery store.
It's a very versatile fragrance, however, I wouldn't wear this for a special occasion or on a date.
There are no citrus notes so it's a very woody earthy scent. Great pickup for the price tag, I think I paid around $30 for mine off FragranceX.
heard it’s a dark/gothic type scent but it smells normal & nice and casual for the most part. maybe im dark/gothic
Certainly the most unique and head-turning fragrance I own, which is amazing for the cheap price. Many people that I know actually hate it, which is strange.
I've heard others say the projection and longevity is great, but that really isn't the case for me, it projects for about 3 hours and then is just a skin scent.
Overall a solid fragrance for the gym or other exercise. Don't wear in casual settings
Scent: 6/10
Projection: 7/10
Longevity: 6/10
Price: 10/10
My very first, yet successful blind buy. Absolute beast of a fragrance, not sure why it’s dirt cheap as it certainly doesn’t smell like it.
I really like this one. It’s so unique and interesting. It’s not because there’s much going on, and I find it to be quite linear, except after the dry down where the cypress calms a bit down. But it just works.
It’s a very “dry” scent, but not dry as in boring. It’s dry because there’s no sweet, juicy or ambery notes.
I’ve heard in reviews that it smells like death or morgue, but not in a decomposition way. I would say that it smells like a beautiful death, deep in a mysterious and calm forest.
This is not something you wear with streetwear or likewise. You have to wear something dark and somewhat formal for this to work. To fit the fragrance.
Absolutely worth the blind buy for me. That of course might differ from person to person.
Scent: 9/10
Sillage: 5-6/10
Longevity: About 7 hours on my skin
Mysteriousness: 10/10
Overall: 8.5/10
If you're the type of person that loves those Instagram reels of foggy forest or just rainy gloomy nature in general with Øneheart music in the background because cold rainy and cloudy weather makes you feel nice and calm, 100% you'd love this.
For me. Literally a rainy day scent. I'd spray this on myself or my pillow just to nap on a nice rainy weather because it's sooooo freaking calming for me.
I can't even relate one bit to people who said that this smells like death. Dark sure but not in an evil sense. More like dark as in it's about to rain or is raining outside.
If you find said weather to be depressing. Then, you'd probably hate this.
Also, side note. Try to layer this with D&G Forever if you have the chance. You'd thank me later for that.
It is how pine forest smells in autumn and winter. Exquisite and unusual for a fragrance. The weak point is performance: after 1 hour it is a skin scent. Safe for the office use. We need an extrait version
This is a very unique and unusual fragrance. Nothing I’ve ever smelled before in a perfume.
I will admit the opening is a bit too sharp for my liking. It reminds me of the moment you step inside a shoe store; a waft of leather shoes hitting your nose. However, as the fragrance sits on the skin for a longer period, the cypress becomes less intense and it shifts into a more pleasant woody/earthy fragrance.
It’s like meeting a goth person for the first time. You can't help but feel a bit scared by their frightening appearance, but once the two of you hang out more often, you begin to see how nice this goth person really is. (true story)
Encre Noire is a fragrance that takes time to appreciate. It's dark and intimidating, yet tempting and strangely unique!
There is a fresh cypress-like, cooling peppermint note combined with a sweetness, which reminds me of a throat lozenge or breath mint (wife disagrees). It's characteristic, but not the kind of scent that I particularly enjoy smelling on myself. It's simple, and doesn't develop much over time, which is both a strength and a weakness. It feels like putting on an image, more than putting on something for my own enjoyment. I don't notice it much while wearing it, like it's mostly hiding and suddenly popping out, which kind of makes it hard to wear. My daughter thinks it's very strong, but likes it. Wife thinks it's subtle, and likes it too.
This is a simple yet gorgeous masculine scent with moderate projection and sillage, only if you increase the sprays. Its very well blended and you can taste the bitterness in your mouth with a deep and close sniff. It is reminiscent of dry bitter black ink. The cypress, Cashmeran, and musk however make it very pleasant, rememberable, and timeless scent.
Mainstream male fragrances can mostly be categorized into two camps: astringent barbershop or rugged musk. Encre Noire is on the edge of mainstream, dare I say. Not controversial enough to be a true alternative signature, but apparently too sensitive and gothic for the conformist crowd. Honestly very wearable.
It's outdoorsy--not as in lumberjack but as in boy walking through the woods at night. Soil catches in the tread of his boots, which he tracks into your bedroom when he sneaks through your window after curfew. In fact, I'm going to be cheeky and say this is the fragrance Edward Cullen would have worn. It's very Pacific Northwest-y, mossy, brooding, romantic. Maybe toeing the line between self-obsessed and self-conscious. Could be the inky note that's making me read it as academic or bookish.
I bought this one blind and regret it it definitely has those notes listed but it doesn't smell good had multiple people in my family smell it and they say it smells nasty and repulsive
Very green, natural, cypressy. I love it.
I will test it in true winter, when it arrives.
Blind bought this because of the price. This is really, really good. If your preference is ysl y edp and shit like that, you may not like this but if you like unusual, woody, rich smelling scents you will be surprised. I read a lot of reviews after i.bought this and they were pretty accurate but you can not imagine the exact scent before you smell it.
Blind bought and I win.
It's kind of Terre d'Hermes first 2 hours without fruity and less spicy, personally i can't stand the spicy from Terre d Hermes, but men, the smell of this after the first 2 hrs is just too good. It's not dark on my skin imo, I feel it green, and smelling this like your are not "lonely" but you want to stay "alone". The best weather to wear this is rainy day, cloudy cool day.
Incredible longevity on my skin too, 6-8 hours, plus this perfume is weird, it lasts longer on my skin than on my cloth. The skin cent come after 6-7 hrs and I took a good sleep and still smell it around in the morning.
Can't believe this price can bring such a good perfume
Stark, unique, serious...glad I bought it, I'm wearing it more than I expected. After reading countless reviews, bought blind to see what the intrigue and strong reactions were about.
First 30 seconds - 1980s hairspray. Then a half burned, wet chunk of wood pulled from a fire ring in a forest for about 30min, then the hairspray impression morphs into a cypress and inky note, on an earthy wood base . And that's about it, after the first hour its a cypress infused earthy wood for the duration. Kinda wish I'd gone for the extreme flanker, this is interesting but there's not quite enough going on beyond uniqueness. That said, I'm still enjoying it and happy with the purchase, it makes a good addition to the winter office frags rotation. Very good longevity, I'm getting random whiffs right now 8+hrs after applying.
Side note: This has the best atomizer of any bottle in my collection, and the best ftting cap too. The bottle design is simple..meant to replicate an old ink-pot, and the font is not very exciting, but the whole package really hits the mark.. wood cap & ink-pot shape represent the notes, and the quality of both package and juice is outstanding.
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