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Battle of the Vetivers, Part 2 - Encre Noire by Lalique

Next up in the Battle of the Vetivers, is one of my personal favorite fall/winter fragrances, the mysterious and seductive, Encre Noire by Lalique.

Battle of the Vetivers, Part 2 - Encre Noire by Lalique

NOTES

Top Notes

Cypress Wood

Heart Notes

Haitian Vetiver,
Vetiver Bourbon,


Base Notes

Musk,
Cashmere Wood

The notes here are pretty accurate as to what you are going to get out of this fragrance. The vetiver is stronger at the beginning and then dries down to the musky wood notes.

INFORMATION/BACKGROUND

Encre Noire comes in two main sizes:

1.7oz ~$95USD

3.3oz ~$125USD

These prices are found on the Lalique web store. It might seem like a higher priced designer frag, but do not buy this at full price! You can find it on grey market websites like www.fragrancenet.com for as low as $25 for a 3.3oz bottle! It is probably one of my favorite "cheapies", and if I had to purchase this at full price, it would be worth it. Yes, this is a great value. This would make it to a top 10 value fragrances list if I ever decide to write one up.

The scent was launched in 2006 and the fragrance was created by perfumer Nathalie Lorson. It is classified as a "Woody Aromatic". The name translates to "Black Ink".

The presentation is a black glass, almost opaque, cubed flanker with a dark wood grain cap. The sprayer on this one is fantastic. I forgot to mention in my previous review about the Creed sprayer; Creed is known for having the best sprayers in the business, but this bottle's sprayer took me by surprise. It puts out a nice amount of juice and is very consistent. You can easily control how much you spray with this one.

SCENT/SITUATION

While Creed's Original Vetiver is a bright vetiver that gives the feeling of a crisp Spring morning, Encre Niore is the complete opposite on the "green" spectrum. Rather than having fresh citrus and grassy accords, Encre Niore's scent is like a stroll through an evergreen forest. It isn't piney at all; instead, it opens up with a mossy spicy fern scent that is both warm and manly, no doubt from the cypress. There is this underlying smokiness that reminds me of a cuddling up with that special someone next to a warm fire during the winter holidays or maybe even a campfire in late autumn. It is dark and mysterious. The spice must come from the vetiver bourbon, but it isn't sweet. The dry down is very pleasant and mature -- a smooth musk which continues to hold on to that warm mossy evergreen spice.

Battle of the Vetivers, Part 2 - Encre Noire by Lalique

Due to the note of cypress wood, this fragrance does step a little into the Chypre category, but not quite; it doesn't have the citrus or oakmoss accords that usually define a Chypre. The other notes balance it out and the vetiver does not come off astringent at all as it does in other vetiver fragrances. In fact, the vetiver here is very well blended and is no doubt responsible for the pervasive smokiness. It is a fairly linear scent overall due to the limited notes in the composition, but it has loads of character.

This vetiver fragrance is perfect for the colder months which makes it a stand out. As far as situation, it is also versatile; although it is probably best suited for formal events and the office, you could reasonably wear this to a late fall or winter date or even a chilly night on the town. If you are snuggling with your love near a bonfire with friends, this would compliment such an occasion nicely.

Battle of the Vetivers, Part 2 - Encre Noire by Lalique

Encre Noire could be worn by anyone over college age, maybe 25+, as it is a mature scent. I would not recommend it to those who prefer scents that are youthful or sporty.

PERFORMANCE

The longevity is kind of poor on this one. It will last about 4 hours or so before fading to a skin scent. That isn't so bad though, especially for the discounted price. I would carry around a pocket atomizer.

RESOURCES

http://www.basenotes.net/fragrancereviews/fragrance/26126273

http://www.basenotes.net/fragrancereviews/fragrance/26126273

VIDEOS

Redolessence Review

Dracdoc Review

THOUGHTS/REVIEW

As Redolessence claims, this is a very polarizing scent, but I agree -- it is a masterpiece. I simply love this fragrance. It is my favorite vetiver, but then again, it is also very different than any most other vetivers. It is dark and mysterious, earthy yet clean, sensual and smokey, and undeniably manly. I personally prefer dark and spicy frags, so I am quite partial. It isn't particularly a lady pleaser; there is other mass appealing and sexy fragrances that suit the purpose of a date or a night out. However, it is very mature yet not at all old man-ish. I think certain women who are into rugged and masculine men will appreciate this scent on their guy. It is refreshingly unique, but it takes an appreciation for what it has to offer to truly enjoy it. It is a love it or hate it frag, but I love it. It is far from a "safe" fragrance, but it is genuinely beautiful in a gloomy melancholic sort of way.

One reviewer has commented that "This isn't a fragrance, but a mood. It is art in a bottle." When worn at the right moment, it is damn near perfect in my humble opinion.

I give this scent a 9.5/10. The value is on point, the scent is spectacular, one of my favorites for the colder months at the office, during the holidays, or outdoors. Just be aware that some may be turned off by it just because of how potent and unique it is. It may be better served to reduce the number of sprays, maybe only 2 sprays, 3 at most, and just use it as a "subtle" close to the skin type of scent.

Now I feel like taking a stroll through the forest... ^_^

(NOTE: There are two flankers of this fragrance, a Sport and a L'Extreme version. The Sport adds citrusy notes, is suitable for the warmer months, and is much more "wearable" according to many reviewers. The L'Extreme downplays the "inky" mossy vibes and brings the smooth woodsy notes like the cashmere wood and even hints of sandalwood up to the fore. If the original Encre Noire is too much of a beast for you, then I'd suggest trying out one of these.)

Battle of the Vetivers, Part 2 - Encre Noire by Lalique
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