Olibanum
by Profumum

I am a guy but I think a woman could wear this as well. It opens strong sharp and green .
Like the leaf of the orange plant rather than the fruit. Then it dries down to a sophisticated woody incense. but on the way there, the refined smokiness and the opening citrus notes actually seem to trade places several times . longevity seems to be good. I'm a fragrance rookie but in my opinion this is a masterpiece.

8th November, 2011.

This is a real alternative to seminal scents like Avignon or Incense Extreme. Olibanum is great if you like smoky incense based fragrances but it's quite different form the well known antagonist scents of the same family. Together with the usual liturgic vibe Profumum introduced a sealing wax effect that make Olibanum irresistible. While the opening is still quite severe and chilling, the drydown turns dry-and-warm, meditative and comfortable. A terrific woody-green option. Highly recommended!

6th March, 2011. (Last Edited: 16th January, 2012.)

In order not to be the spoiler in this praise-fest, I went to extraordinary lengths in testing Olibanum – eight times over a period of three weeks. I annihilated three samples as I tested it on filter paper, on clothes, in a brandy snifter, and on my skin – all the usual procedures. I still can’t find anything more than a pretty, unique, beautifully balanced and refined, and underwhelming incense fragrance. I may have selective anosmia to elements of this scent, but what I get from it is so light that it might as well be a skin scent. What do I actually smell? I get a very light incense (very nice… remarkably clean, but quite insubstantial). I get a very nice background resin (that comes through rather strongly in a brandy snifter). This resinous aura likely comes from a delicate myrrh – also very, very nice. Once or twice I thought I smelled a rustic smoky tobacco note underneath everything else – this was excellent but I’m not even sure I smelled it. I do get a definite orange blossom note but no sandalwood …and that’s all... These elements simply do not come across very strongly to me. In addition, Olibanum doesn’t last long – maybe forty-five minutes. I’m happy that others find this a good and fulfilling fragrance, and I encourage an incense seeker to test it out. But for me… I’ll pass.

10th May, 2010.

I just wrote a review on another incense fragrance I recently tried, as I am trying to expand my fragrance wardrobe beyond my usual animalic-woodsy-resinous-spicy-dirty scents. I actually mixed up some of the information about Olibanum (like pricing) in with the other review (Biehls MB03) and I think that about sums it up for me. Olibanum is a nice enough scent but given all the hype and the hefty price tag, I imagine I was expecting something a lot more exotic, outstanding and original than what came out of the bottle.

Like Biehls MB03, which I actually liked more than Olibanum, this fragrance is very nice but something didn't sit quite right on me...literally. To me, Olibanum didn't project enough of ANY scent, literally...and perhaps that is the allure.

Olibanum is smoky...but very faint; leathery...but mild; church-y incense but fleeting (not good sillage...this one wears close to the skin; not great staying power). Floral..a bit; powdery...no. Spicy...yes. The list goes on and on. The dry down smelled way too burnt for me (beyond smoky), which I did not like at all...almost smelled like freshly placed hot road tar.

To sum it up, Olibanum left me feeling very confused :0(

This is a nice fragrance but for the price (I actually quoted Biehl MB03 @ $265 per 3.3 ml, which is the price for Olibanum...MB03 is more like $185 per 3.3 ml), this fragrance didn't quite hit the mark. I think there are equally nice fragrances that are more affordable...some that aren't quite as confusing. Also, Olibanum made my eyes and nose runny...not so sure what that is all about :0(

1st May, 2010.

It is my comfort scent. Peaceful, a little sad. Sillage and longevity are moderate. It is very similar to Rock Crystal (Durbano), but it smells cleaner, not as smokey, not as spicy. I prefer it.
I don't wear this fragrance when I have to seduce others.
The dry down is heaven (especially on clothes), it comes about 30 minutes after the opening.

18th September, 2009.

Orange blossom, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood
This has a magnificently resinous incense opening. It is dry, slightly smoky, and very satisfying. Myrrh contributes a pleasant depth, and sandalwood provides a woody spine – but this is a frankincense scent, and a great one. . Its notes are green, austere, contemplative, and slightly cool. My kind of scent. Highest endorsement.

15th July, 2009.