Encens Imperial by Note33

Pure myrrh, nothing more. Incredible performance for the price.

The best from this brand so far. Well-made, though it’s a quiet scent for me; perhaps I’ll try it in winter. Clear notes of myrrh and amber, a delicate and gentle accord, nothing bombastic. Sweet amber dominates with a special myrrh base. I detect incense like a halo, not heavy, and an unexpected leather note. The opening balances saffron and pepper, then myrrh ties everything together in a perfect sweetness that, over time and thanks to the benzoin, turns into a luxurious body lotion that brings wellbeing. High-quality aroma, a warm cocktail of velvet, elegance, darkness, and sensuality. I really like it because it’s comforting. Ideal for evening wear and worth buying.

The notes this niche house typically features are the protagonists of each phase, but not the only ones; the full list is available on their Facebook page. Opening: pepper, blackcurrant, and saffron. Heart: myrrh. Base: benzoin and ambergris. Undoubtedly, myrrh is the absolute star of this elixir, followed by benzoin, which, though less evident, plays a key role with its vanilla base and nuances. At first, saffron and pepper stand out against a resinous and sweet background, with a tiny fruity touch, whether from the blackcurrant or because pink pepper has that hint; anyway, it’s negligible and just a small detail within a sea of sweet, balsamic, and spicy resin, a true delight. This opening is frugal, and soon myrrh claims its throne: a smoky myrrh over a bed of benzoin and amber, elegant, sober, and exquisite. I, a lover of these resins, couldn’t bring my nose to my arm without drooling; it’s incredible. From here on, the scent remains almost linear, except for countless nuances that come and go until it fades on the skin. Some nuances are balsamic and creamy, others sweet and dry, and even sometimes spicy, but always with a beauty comparable to the magnificence of Eastern palaces. Yes, as you’ve probably guessed, it’s identical to Myrrhe Imperiale from the Armani Prive collection. The resemblance is astonishing; when I first smelled it, I couldn’t believe it. One of the most noticeable differences is that this Encens Imperial is smokier; the incense note is more prominent. Otherwise, it’s almost exactly the same as Myrrhe Imperiale, and in my opinion, improved. The performance is excellent; so far, I’ve worn it for about eight hours and it’s still detectable. The trail is moderate to low, just like Myrrhe Imperiale. I must clarify that I only sprayed once on my wrist, so with a few more sprays, the performance would certainly increase considerably. I still think this type of perfume is designed for personal enjoyment or delight, or to share in the intimacy of a date, not to attract attention; they are suggestive, intimate aromas with explicit beauty that suggest more than they show, turning everything around into a mystery you long to discover… It’s a night scent for cold and temperate climates, not for every moment; it’s more the scent for special occasions, the one you’ll want to wear whenever you need a boost of confidence and sensuality. If you love Myrrhe Imperiale but can’t afford it, indulge yourself because here you have your beloved perfume at a quarter of the price; and if you enjoy quality resinous, incense-forward oriental scents, add this to your list because it won’t disappoint; highly recommended.