Lalique Encre Noire

Let’s start with a fragrance which has acquired somewhat of a cult status, Encre Noire by Lalique.

Have you ever been in a catholic church when they burned incense? Because that's EXACTLY how it smells and anyone who has will recognize it instantly. For those who haven't, it's like wood, smoke, earth, and salt.

However, that's not the end of the story. When you apply it on skin, a sour citrusy smell emerges. One could argue that it's a woody smell too, a cypress maybe. With time, the fragrance becomes more wearable: the smoke subsides and the citrus dominates, which is a good thing, because usually you don’t want to smell exactly like incense.

I think of Encre Noire more as a piece of art than an everyday utility. The bottle reflects this point of view - it's stylish, but not very functional, and some of the aspects that make it stylish - the cube shape, the opaqueness - also make it less functional.

All in all, this fragrance is intense and unhinged, not easy to wear, because you have to be in a mood for it. I think it fits settings which require you to be somber and present, like a funeral, church, or court.

If you want something similar but lighter, get Terre d'Hermes - it's basically a pop version of Encre Noire, with the incense toned down, at the price of smelling maybe a bit less natural and more chemical. Terre smells like Encre Noire a few hours after application.

TLDR: if you want to replicate this scent, go sit by wood burning outdoors to absorb the smoke, then bathe in lemon juice.

3/5

6-7/10