Encens Flamboyant (2007)
by Annick Goutal

I am again attempting to expand my very small, go-to, Oriental-floral-musk fragrance wadrobe. So, after falling in love with Kilian's Incense Oud at $395/1.7 ml, I decided to try other alternative (and more affordable) incense fragrances. I think that for me, trying to do so is going to be like downsizing from a Ferrari to a Yugo...though I've never owned either. But I think you get my point...not an easy transition if you've tried Kilian's Incense Oud.

When I first smelled Encens Flamboyant from the bottle, I was smitten. Quite sure I had found the Holy Grail, I sadly became disappointed after applying it and witnessing what occured as the hours passed.

I loved the opening...complex yet simple and familiar...an identifiable incense with some pink pepper (or some peppery note) and smoke. Not enough pepper to make me sneeze but incense with a real twist and the requisite smokiness. While these pleasant and agreeable notes remained with me for quite sometime, the fragrance seemed to (sadly) morph into a musty, sour balsamic note after an hour or so. Very disappointing.

I guess I am showing my age but do you remember the ORIGINAL Clairoil Herbal Essence Shampoo that premiered back in the early 70's?? That what I smelled like after an hour or so. No smoky delight, no incense...I smelled like someone's living room on Christmas Eve...pine tree.

Sadly, I'm gonna give this a neutral for now. I bought a small sampler, so I'm gonna stick with it for a while 'cause I DO like it. Having said that, perhaps incense based fragrances are just not my cup-of-tea.

8th November, 2011.

Gorgeous blend of old candles and church incense - I could swim in vats of this stuff...has that old school Catholic feel in the very best of ways. Simply divine and the best thing Annick Goutal has done in ages.

9th August, 2011.

I've tried many different incense based fragrances and I must say this one is my favorite, many other incense fragrances take a mellow citrusy route, but this one is dark and dirty just how incense is supposed to be.

12nd May, 2011.

This is one evrybody really talks too much about. Overstimated, baroque and a bit vulgar! If you like dark incense perfumes try Bois D'Encens by or Incense Extreme by Andy Tauer or Avignon by CDG.

Dark-green and smoky frankincense with a citrusy vibe. Not bad but far from being completely successful.

5th March, 2011. (Last Edited: 23rd September, 2011.)

Incense light.

Starts off with a blast of cigerette smoke but quickly settles into a dry, but bright, light incense. As mentioned below, there is a bit of rubber and spice. About an hour into it, the rubber, spice and cigerettes give way to a slightly sweet comforting wood. 3 hours later its almost gone.

I've tried a few other incense fragrances that are more popular, but this was the only one that as a woman felt right for me, not too butch, full bottle worthy. Agree with others that its minimal, I'd call it l'eau d'encens.

If you are curious about incense fragrances, but don't want to smell too much like a church or don't want to go full throttle, try this one. It's really nice, easy to wear.

4th March, 2011.

Oh boy, oh boy, this feels like shackled in the back bench of the most musty church around. And this comes from a nonbeliever! All Annick Goutal frags that I have sampled (6 or 7 in total) share a certain 'uncharming' aura. This is a no-go to me in perfumes.
Someone mentioned 'sexy' in context with Encens Flamboyant - GET OFF ME! :)

1st July, 2010.