Perfume review: Il Profumo Encens Epice

Created by an Italian company Il Profumo (about which I am unable google up any information, hard as I try), Encens Epice is one of the most savory scents I have tried, second only to the smoky, practically burnt BBQ-ed meat scent of Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier’s Eau des Iles and no-less smoky and perhaps even more “meaty” Kolnisch Juchten. Luckyscent are very honest and very correct in their description of this fragrance, when they say that Encens Epice leans more toward spice than incense. As far as my nose is concerned, this is all Epice and none of the Encens. Encens Epice is an aromatic, salty, spicy, herbal, woody concoction that ultimately smells of smoked hot and spicy sausages cooked and eaten in a pine forest. It is a strange and strangely appealing scent that is practically gourmand in a savory, not sweet kind of way. Peculiarly enjoyable as it is, I hesitate to call it universally wearable, apart from the drydown, which rather pleasantly albeit less interestingly smells of pine and coriander, with a vague hint of citrus. Fans of smoky, spicy scents might find Encens Epice likeable. Lovers of incense will feel cheated and disappointed. Encens Epice is not full bottle worthy for me, but I am going to keep my sample; should ever I lose desire for food, this pungent scent is guaranteed to act as an olfactory hors d'oeuvre and awaken my appetite. Encens Epice is available at Luckyscent, $80.00 for 100ml of Eau de Parfum, $85.00 for 50ml Encens Epice Absolu oil – spray.