I need Basenotes help with a new incense fragrance!

[Unifex]

Dear All,

Come winter time, my thoughts turn towards incense. I've got Kyoto, had Zagorsk, thought the others in the series were ok but not spectacular.

Other, mainly niche, frags I've tried that have incense notes have failed to live up to Kyoto or Zagorsk.

I've tried Tauer, CB I hate perfume, Amouage, Parfums d'Empire, Lacroix, le labo, Sonoma Scent Studios and some others that I forget right now. I don't really want anything too 'churchy', a la Heeley's Cardinal.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to try next?

[drseid]

Incense Oud by Kilian and Preludio d'Oriente by Cale are my favorites in the category.

[hednic]

Montale Full Incense

[Shiny Beast]

What did you try by Amouage?

[JiveHippo]

Incense Oud by Kilian

+1.

[Unifex]

XXV, Lyric, Memoir (which I liked most) and Interlude (which was mainly bergamot then frankincense). The price really puts me off, though.

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Incense Oud by Kilian and Preludio d'Oriente by Cale are my favorites in the category.

I like the sound of Preludio. Arso Profumum Roma looks good, too.

[Bigsly]

Do you want a dry, sandalwoody incense, a vanillic/myrrh type, or something else?

[Unifex]

Do you want a dry, sandalwoody incense, a vanillic/myrrh type, or something else?

Probably more towards frankincense / balsam, even Nag champa. Sandalwood's OK, as long as it's not dominant. Vanilla not so much as it tends to drown everything else out, on me, at least.

[cacio]

In addition to the excellent suggestions, there's the woody-eastern temple like Timbuktu. Or the more straightforward Armani Bois d'encens. For something quirky, Encens et bubblegum by ELdO, which is as per name.

cacio

[Bigsly]

Have you tried Flower Orijental by Kenzo or Le Baiser Du Dragon ?

[Primrose]

For me, three scents:

CDG Avignon

Caron Parfum Sacre

By Killian Sweet Redemption

[FullCollapse]

How about Rien by ELDO? Its an animalic, Leather, Incense combo that lats an eternity. The composition is stunning if you can restrain yourself to 1-2 sprays max. At times I really get that Nag Champa vibe from it, though its not identical. Really worth a try IMO!

[MJM_77]

Avignon, Full Incense and L'air du Desert Marocain

[Bigsly]

Honestly, it sounds like the OP found what he's looking for, and further attempts at another, similar frag may just result in disappointment. However, the "pursuit of happiness" can vary from one person to another.

[alfarom]

I'll second Bois D'Encens, Perludio D'Oriente, Memoir Man and Jubilation XXV. Here are few more you might want to check...

Hindu Kush
Black Cashmere
Opus IV


On a side note, if you really liked Zagorsk, you shouldn't miss the chance to put your nose on L'Eau Du Governeur.

[noggs]

For a very smooth, soft, yet strong and long lasting incense fragrance that isn't too "churchy", try Guerlain Encens Mythique d'Orient.

[danny1967]

I'll second Bois D'Encens, Perludio D'Oriente, Memoir Man and Jubilation XXV. Here are few more you might want to check...

Hindu Kush
Black Cashmere
Opus IV


On a side note, if you really liked Zagorsk, you should miss the chance to put your nose on L'Eau Du Governeur.

and let's not forget barbier des isles.

[alfarom]

and let's not forget barbier des isles.

[Ciprian]

Fille en Aiguilles by Serge Lutens

[danny1967]

Fille en Aiguilles by Serge Lutens

+1 on above. one of the best incense based perfumes.

[MikeJ]

It's not niche, but when I think incense, Dirty English comes to mind

[Duke Hunt]

If you can find a bottle Norma Kamali Incense, if not you may want to try L'air du desert Marocain.

[dougczar]

Some of my favorite Incense fragrances that you may think are too churchy:
by Kilian Incense Oud
CDG Avignon
Armani Bois d'Encens
Montale Full Incense


Here are some that I love, and don't think the incense would be categorized as churchy:
Tauer - L'Air Du Dessert Marociain
Loewe 7 Natural (Loewe 7 is great too, but slightly more churchy)
Tom Ford Bois Marocain (Very underrated fragrance IMO)
Amouage Jubilation XXV
Amouage Memoir Man


Finally, these are incense fragrances that many seem to love, but I think they smell like an ashtray (I list these because I think Kyoto falls in this category, but you seem to enjoy it):
Annick Goutal Encens Flamboyant
Tauer Incense Extreme

[DuNezDeBuzier]

You might check out:
Aedes de Venustas Eau de Parfum (2008, the one made for L'Artisan)
Comme des Garçons 2 Man
Kouros
+Encens Flambouyant

[Unifex]

Thank you, everyone. Some of the suggestions look really enticing.

I've tried LDDM (no incense at all on me), Encens Flamboyante (so weak I ciouldn't smell anything at all), Timbuktu and Dzongka.

I like the look of Preludio D'Oriente, Hindu Kush and L'Eau du Governeur.

A note to bigsly - I do know what you mean, the pursuit of an unattainable goal can be painful. Neverless, there's a prize, and a price!

[trex57]

You might want to try Messe de Minuit-Etro plus Norma Kamali-Incense. Its hard to find but its a knockout as was stated.

[HORNS]

I'm a big fan of L'Artisan Passage d'Enfer - beautiful clean incense with an indolic lily.

[onethinline]

My first thought here was also Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles. Past the sweet fruit and pine needle opening, a really lovely dry frankincense comes forward and the whole composition takes on a warm and smoldering feel.