Encre Noire A L'Extreme

A very elegant, masculine vetiver fragrance is what Lalique delivers with Encre Noire Á L'Extréme. As a lot of vetiver-based scents, it bears a striking resemblance to Guerlain's timeless Vetiver EDT (at least in the opening), but with a bit darker, more resinous and smoky edge. It's like taking a walk in a pine forest after rainfall, it's not overly fresh, a darker green and woody scent that doesn't want to do much of an olfactory journey through it's lifecycle. The smoky and resinous accords come a bit more forward in the drydown, but other than that it's a very straightforward, elegant scent profile that stays consistent from the opening to the drydown. It's projecting fairly well in the first 3-4 hours then starts fading into a skin scent, but with a better longevity then its Sport sibling. What is similar to other Encre Noire flankers is the bang for the buck factor, it smells much more expensive than the price point. And it's 100% blind buy safe unless you don't like vetiver.

I'm not sure why these comments say it smells bad, sour, etc. My dad gave me this a few months earlier with EN Sport, and it immediately became one of my personal favorites. I've never smelled a fragrance this good before; it just hits different from all the "mainstream" fragrances usually worn in my country (even though a bit unsuitable for hot, tropical weather). I quite understand why Fragrantica says it's polarizing. I know it's kinda mature and dark, but this shouldn't be an annoying or a bad fragrance (even though some of my schoolmates say it smells like "bapak-bapak" or old men in my country).

This is the third of five of my Encre Noir reviews. Encre Noir A L'Extreme is, like Encre Noir Sport, a variation on the original Encre Noir, managing to stay different enough to be really interesting but true enough to the original DNA to be identifiable as a member of the series. From the off, this was a bit more challenging than the original and the Sport version. On the testing strip it is harsh and very balsamic, and like the other other two I've reviewed only really comes alive on the skin after it starts to dry down, so you'll need to give this one a couple of minutes.

So I just blind bought this considering it’s relatively cheap and has been considered a niche level scent and all I can say is they are not wrong. This stuff smells great. Woody, earthy, almost fizzy Coca Cola type smell. For my nose it’s amazing. It is quite a melancholic, almost intense fragrance, not exactly uplifting like other fragrances, so be mindful it will not suit everyone’s style. It’s quite dark, this is what I would imagine intense characters from fiction like Bazarov from fathers and sons would wear, or twilight characters/bloodborne characters.

Although I’m typically not a fan of vetiver-centered fragrances, Encre Noire serves as my benchmark.. This intensified iteration elevates the original through enhanced depth, richness, and presence.. The signature vetiver remains at the heart of the composition, complemented by smoky incense, earthy resins, and a nuanced warmth that imparts refinement and sophistication.. It is indeed an exceptional fragrance offered at a highly accessible price point!😎👌🏼