Bois D'encens
Note Profile
About
Bois d'Encens is a Robertet speciality, not a raw material found in nature. Olibanum resinoid is co-distilled with Virginian cedarwood oil, and Perfumer Supply House states that "the cedarwood oil generates some molecular reactions in order to modify the composition of the final product". The aim is frankincense without its sharp edge. Fraterworks calls it "Robertet's spiritual incense without harsh edges" and describes "fresh powerful fruity-olibanum top notes without harsh medicinal edges". It ends warm, balsamic and woody-animalic, with a creamy amber-vanilla tone that neither starting material claims on its own.
Scent Profile
Bois d'Encens is frankincense with its sharp edge filed off, built from resin and Virginia cedarwood blended together. It opens on a bright, fruity note, almost like ripe fruit over raw resin, before settling into a warm, balsamic wood. A creamy, faintly vanillic sweetness comes through in the heart, with a soft powderiness alongside it. There is a whisper of soft smoke, and a faint animal warmth in the base under the amber.
ScentWheel
Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.
ScentArt
Origin
Made by Robertet. Olibanum resinoid, the gum resin of Boswellia, is combined with Virginian cedarwood oil (Juniperus virginiana) and distilled together. Fraterworks defines the method: "Co-distillation is the process in which two or more materials are turned into a single essential-oil type material by combining them prior to or during distillation." Perfumer's Apprentice sells the same product as a "specialty blend of Natural Isolates from ROBERTET" and calls the method co-extraction. The house description sold with it is "the sweetness of fine Virginian cedarwood with the majesty and richesse of exotic frankincense".
Usage in Perfumery
A base and heart material for incense work where raw olibanum is too sharp. It gives the resin signature without the medicinal top, so it can be used at higher dose than frankincense oil before the composition turns cold. Perfumer's Apprentice files it beside frankincense, myrrh and sandalwood. Fraterworks advertises "400+ hour elegance", which is seller copy with no measurement behind it and should not be read as a substantivity figure.
Similar Notes
Perfumes featuring Bois D'encens
A selection of reviewed perfumes where Bois D'encens appears prominently.
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