Incense

Amber & Resin · appears in 7 documented compositions

Cool, lemony-terpenic smoke turning dry, dusty and sacred.

Library uses

7

Dominant placement

base

Avg. longevity of hosts

11.4 h

Strongest season

Autumn

Origin & sourcing

Olibanum resin from Boswellia species in Oman, Somalia and Ethiopia.

What matters about it

  • Frankincense trade routes are documented for over 5,000 years.
  • Boswellia populations are declining; sustainable-tapping programmes now govern much supply.
  • Incense pairs structurally with citrus because both share terpenic top facets.

How it behaves in a formula

Across this library, Incense appears 1 time as a top note, 1 time in the heart and 5 times in the base. Placement is the single best predictor of what you will actually smell: top-note materials are high-volatility and gone within the hour, base-note materials are fixatives that define the final and longest phase of the wear.

Compositions containing Incense in this library average 11.4 hours of documented longevity, and skew toward autumn and winter wear. Treat that as a tendency of the amber & resin family rather than a property of the material alone — dose, supporting accord and concentration all move the result.

Fragrances built with Incense

Shalimar by Guerlain fragrance bottle

Guerlain

Shalimar

1925

Amber Oriental · Women

Crafted by Jacques Guerlain in 1925 and inspired by the legendary love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Shalimar stands as one of the absolute masterpieces of amber oriental perfumery. The fragrance opens with an intense, sparkling burst of citrus dominated by crisp lemon and bergamot, which rapidly transitions into a dark, powdery, and deeply resinous heart. The core is anchored by a generous overdose of natural iris and smoky vetiver, creating an intriguing tension between cool, earthy elegance and smoldering warmth. As it settles onto the skin, Shalimar reveals its true identity through a legendary dry-down of rich, animalic vanilla, smooth leather, opoponax, and incense. Rather than a modern, linear confection, this composition demands patience and skin chemistry interaction, shifting continuously over many hours. It is an unapologetically dramatic, opulent, and historical olfactory journey designed for those who appreciate complex vintage architecture and profound depth in fragrance.

10-14 hoursAutumn / Winter
Black Orchid by Tom Ford fragrance bottle

Tom Ford

Black Orchid

2006

Amber Floral · Unisex

Developed in 2006 by fragrance house Givaudan under Tom Ford's vision, Black Orchid was conceived around the quest for a custom-grown, pitch-black flower with deep, complex narcotic properties. The opening is a daring, opulent juxtaposition of earthy black truffle, damp soil nuances, and lush dark fruits balanced by bright bergamot. At its heart lies a proprietary illusion of a deep black orchid note, layered with heavy dark spices, lotus wood, and rich florals that lean toward the gothic. The dry-down is an indulgent gourmand-resinous blend featuring dark Mexican chocolate, warm incense, heavy patchouli, and creamy vanilla. It challenges conventional gender boundaries in perfumery with its dark, brooding elegance, offering a heavy, atmospheric aura that demands confidence and cold-weather alignment.

10-12 hoursAutumn / Winter
Bleu de Chanel by Chanel fragrance bottle

Chanel

Bleu de Chanel

2010

Woody Aromatic · Men

Created by in-house Chanel perfumer Jacques Polge in 2010, Bleu de Chanel redefined modern masculine blue fragrances by combining crisp freshness with a sophisticated, dense woody-amber base. The composition opens with an energetic, effervescent burst of citrus fruits—grapefruit, lemon, and bergamot—accented by a sharp pinch of pink pepper and cooling mint. The heart transitions toward a clean, spicy warmth featuring fresh ginger and nutmeg. Unlike simpler fresh scents, Bleu de Chanel deepens significantly in its dry-down, introducing a smoky touch of incense, rich cedarwood, dry amber, and sandalwood. This deliberate contrast between an uplifting, bright opening and a mysterious, grounded base makes it one of the most reliable and universally praised versatile scents in contemporary perfumery.

7-9 hoursSpring / Summer / Autumn
Delina by Parfums de Marly fragrance bottle

Parfums de Marly

Delina

2017

Floral · Women

Formulated by perfumer Quentin Bisch in 2017, Delina is a modern regal floral fragrance inspired by 18th-century royal French elegance. The fragrance introduces itself with a vibrant, tart, and crisp explosion of juicy litchi, sharp rhubarb, and bergamot. The lush heart is anchored by heavy Turkish rose and luminous peony, softened by a touch of powdery petalia. The long-lasting dry-down introduces a textured, woody base of cashmeran, clean cedar, vetiver, and warm incense. It delivers an intoxicating balance of tart fruitiness and creamy, velvety floral grandeur, making it one of the most celebrated high-end feminine creations of the decade.

10-12 hoursSpring / Summer
Ombre Nomade by Louis Vuitton fragrance bottle

Louis Vuitton

Ombre Nomade

2018

Amber Woody · Unisex

Composed by Jacques Cavallier in 2018, Ombre Nomade is an intensely majestic tribute to the infinite beauty of the desert and one of the house's most celebrated creations. The fragrance opens with a striking, sweet collision of rich raspberry and smoky incense. The opulent heart blooms into a dark, velvety rose laced with leathery birch and sweet benzoin. The foundation unleashes a monumental wave of authentic agarwood oud, warm amberwood, and saffron. It is an ultra-powerful, hypnotic, and deeply luxurious scent crafted for true lovers of oriental perfumery.

14+ hoursAutumn / Winter
Black Afgano by Nasomatto fragrance bottle

Nasomatto

Black Afgano

2009

Woody Aromatic · Unisex

Formulated by Alessandro Gualtieri in 2009, Black Afgano is an infamous niche masterpiece designed to evoke the best quality hashish and uninhibited bliss. The fragrance opens with a heavy, earthy green cloud of dry cannabis and leafy notes. The dark, resinous heart features rich coffee, tobacco, and thick wood resins. The impenetrable foundation rests on intense smoky oud and church incense. It is an uncompromising, ultra-dark, and hypnotic scent of monumental power.

14+ hoursWinter / Autumn
Herod by Parfums de Marly fragrance bottle

Parfums de Marly

Herod

2012

Amber Woody · Men

Formulated by Olivier Pescheux in 2012, Herod is a majestic, regal tobacco fragrance named after the legendary purebred stallion. The fragrance opens with a rich, inviting spice fusion of warm cinnamon and black pepper. The opulent heart introduces sweet tobacco leaves blended with smoky incense, fruity osmanthus, and labdanum. The warm, comforting dry-down wraps the wearer in a creamy blanket of rich vanilla, cedar, and musk. It is an effortlessly sophisticated and warm masculine masterwork.

9-11 hoursAutumn / Winter