05 Incense Extreme

Extreme isn't a strong enough adjective in my personal opinion. This is bitter, herbal, clean incense that is so far out there it's forming a galactic constellation. It moves quite smoothly despite its overwhelming power, I wouldn't say I'm getting any particularly immediate associations of religion but it does feel solemn. Later in the drydown it becomes less bitter and much warmer, I'd call this a slow burner. I still prefer the CdG line for incense because incense is a tough note and those ones are approachable, but if you're looking to take things to the next level then give this one a whirl. It'll spin your head right round.

I didn't like this at first, but after going through some blind samples (reaching in a bag full of samples from lucky scent) with out looking at what they are , I came across this. I said. "Oh my how is this not in my collection?" Not looking at this from a incense perspective, from a earthy, spicy and woody fresh perspective with Tauers dna in there, I just knew I was going to end up with a full bottle of this. It's very different. It does have similar vibes of his newest creation incense flash to it. I think what he did there was take this formula and tweaked it a bit to get more followers.

An angular incense built from petitgrain leaves and coriander spice around a dry Boswellia spine rather than smoke or resin depth. The structure feels deliberately faceted, unfolding with the persistent spice thread typical of Tauer’s signature style. Fresh enough for daytime wear, it avoids liturgical weight and develops without dramatic crescendo. Not church incense: closer to temple air, apothecary herbs, and the brightness of a Moroccan souk on a cold morning. A distant echo of Comme des Garçons Kyoto remains, but this is greener, drier, and more structural in expression.

So nice... this is all and more than I ever hoped for- and it works quite well with my chemistry. It calms and opens my mind to dreams. The serene, dry facet of olibanum is enhanced here- there is very-little of the warmth one finds in LDDM- or in other blends of frankincense that often also feature the more-accessible myrrh. It is best not to judge this fragrance until after about 30 min when the aggressive top subsides, when the true nature of the composition emerges: a temple perched high in a mountain forest; frankincense offered to the crystal air.

Ooo, okay. The incense here is heavy. Really heavy. The lighter notes remind me of TF's Grey Vetiver. On the whole this has this soapy saw-dusty flat chalky-ness to it that comes across as what I'd best describe as "Gray" (I think it's the cedar and petitgrain? To my nose it smells like Vetiver with Mute Chilli Pepper but they're not in the notes...). This soapy note plays on top of Andy Tauer's famous "amber and coriander" note which is lovely as always.