L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme Noir Ambre by ISSEY MIYAKE Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml

Product Information

Wow, wow, wow. Blown away by this. This is a special fragrance. The rose is very prominent here, so if you don't like rose, you most likely won't like this. Next I get incense, along with some smokiness and leather, but the rose dominates throughout; almost delving into unisex territory, but the smoke and leather keep it firmly masculine. The sweetness from the rose and incense is perfectly balanced by the smoke, leather, and woods behind it. If you like rose and incense, this is a must have. Strong opening, less is more as once abused, it is lethal and offensive. Yes, beast mode in projection and scent trail. Definitely a summer villain and your darling to make you go cozy over winter/windchill/cold snap. But if you exceed 3 sprays, your dead to the noses near you. Be careful. Spray 30 minutes before you head out. Remember Interlude, A*Men, Dior Homme Parfum, Ambrarem, Sauvage, Le Male, 1 Million, CDNIM, Prada L’Homme Intense and other outright beasts? It's got great longevity and sillage too; spray it three times (no more than that or you'll choke out a room) and you'll be good for 8 hours, catching random whiffs here and there. This is the kind of fragrance that is meant for special occasions, dates, or any time you want to impress other people. Because as other reviewers mentioned, it definitely smells expensive and of high quality. I would only see myself wearing this in fall, winter, and possibly a cool spring evening. Definitely not summer, it would be way too cloying.

This is something special. Dark incense creates a mystical atmosphere around the wearer. This is present from first spray and L’eau d’Issey Or Encens feels like how I imagine the experience of walking into a Tibetan Monastery. Having this on my skin, I feel wise and with power. The scent is strong, but not loud. Performance for Or Encens is best described as average. I suspect most people will yield 6 decent hours. After which, the fragrance will begin to sit very close to the skin and fade away. In the event you're curious the batch number I have is 8113EM which has a production date of 2018-04-23 not sure if the 2017 batches of Or Encens has better performance and projection. From Monday's Scent of the day which was something I initial liked but has fallen out of favour to something which perhaps has done the complete reverse of that, in Issey Miyake's L'eau d'Issey pour homme Or Encens. Now if I'm being honest, I am not a huge fan of rose in men's fragrances -- but there is something about Or Encens that is extremely intriguing and not the least bit bothersome to me. I'm not certain I like it better than Royal Oud, but I do think this one smells even more "luxe" than the Creed does.Overall Smell: 7/10 -- Or Encens was more hype that reality for me and wasn't as unique smelling as anticipated. 🤣

Soft, jammy, tender rose. Rich, opulent, woody, & mildly-smoky incense. Sensual, lightly sweet amber. Warm, spicy leather. And musky, rich amberwood.Or encens opens with incense. I know that’s a surprise. Followed by almost a sour, oudish wood smell. The opening is very pleasing and somewhat unique - when comparing to other designer offerings, I really can’t think of anything close to it. Maybe comme des garçons avignon. Maybe Gucci pour homme 1. But that’s about it. I tend to wear in the evening, so I can't really comment honestly on longevity, although projection/sillage are quite strong, and so far my 5ml sample is going a very long way. Overall, I’m thrilled with this scent. It’s for sure a winter scent - and it’s for sure different from anything else on the Macy’s counter. As Encens begins to dry down, it becomes leatherier with woody accents. The fragrance remains quite dark, again, keeping a mystical aura. This does not resemble a typical, western, male fragrance. But it is an extremely satisfying detour from the usual. In thinking about Encens to compose this review, it occurred to me that this is not my scent. Take a look at my wardrobe and see virtually nothing even comes close. Encens, to me, is like an opportunity to visit a separate tradition where the solemnity demands respect. To my nose, this feels best used in a sacred space. I feel more enlightened having gotten my nose on it. I’m not sure if I’m properly conveying the affect this fragrance has had on me, so instead let me simply say that the way a fragrance may take hold of your imagination and take you to places unknown is really, to me, the heart of the mystery and magic of this hobby. L’eau D’Issey Or Encens transports me to places unknown. As others have stated Or Encens is probably best suited for days or nights, during the fall and winter weather. However, I can see wearing Or Encens during the cooler spring weather as well. Due to the fragrances wearing a tad bit thin. Women that enjoy dark/resinous/incense focused fragrances could easily wear Or Encens. Despite Or Encens being more masculine leaning and focused. Fragheads and guys 35+ with seasoned noses will likely be more inclined to enjoy Or Encens -- as the fragrances doesn't have the "sweet/fresh/playful/blue" mainstream mass appeal.

Now I don't know if this was a special tester or something, but Or Encens stayed on my skin for a DAY, yes you read that right, a whole day where I could reach to my inner elbow and still get a whiff of it, silage was monstrous as well. The overall vibe of this one is 'special'. You can't just throw it on. It's really fine stuff and demands a suitable occasion!Speaking of Gucci pour homme - that’s what came to mind during the dry down - and while it’s not going to replace the beloved, discontinued GPH, it definitely plays in the same territory. Or Encens on 3 sprays but less is best. Mysterious, magnetic, sensual, bittersweet, engulfing, complex yet smooth after half an hour. Formal and date. Never for summer, not even it’s night. My only complaint (and this isn't even a complaint about the fragrance itself) is that they don't offer it in a smaller bottle. From what I've seen, it's only available in 100ml, but that will last me a lifetime. Because like I said before, this will be reserved for special occasions. Either way, this should have a place in everyone's collection.