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

Product Information

Blind buy: if you are under 30 just don't even bother, this is dark stuff for "mature" men, not a playful or sexy scent, but rather a classy upscale one, still better to test first, although beautiful this is an acquired taste that is not for everyone. 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. Overall, it’s robust but fairly agreeable as resinous fragrances go, and I could easily see it being a cold weather unisex staple, though it is of course part of the men’s collection.

Thinking across all designers - is there a house who has had better releases than issey miyake over the last few years? The are making a strong argument for best designer house, in my opinion. 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. 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. Then the second act is like the olfactory memory of the first act, plesant rasiny echo of it, until it fade completely. The playful mix of woody-incense-amber notes created a soft yet floating impression of citric blood orange or maybe, plum. Citric not sour because such tone is surrounded by that bittersweet (vetiver-amber, maybe) yet creamy bubbles (cedar-sandalwood, another maybe). The rose is there, the leather is soft, the smoke is tamed, the spices just right. The flow and feel is not just well, suede and smooth; not even well balanced but exceeded to excellence. A warning: the bittersweet cream smell is dense. It could hit you like a plasma beam and can give you nausea. So please, do not smell real close all the time as I am doing now for review purposes. Keep distance away with an ample air and space.

Wow this is good stuff. I’ve never smelled Gucci Intense Oud, but I’ve heard it was also really good. This does however remind me of Oud Satin Mood at times, but this doesn’t have the vanilla sweetness of OSM. This actually has more of the mineral quality of MFK Oud edp... there’s more of an aquatic freshness here, smooth leather, incense and rose, with some spices like pink pepper and cumin, but not too much cumin, everything is very well blended.

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!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.