Encens Suave Clones

"### Is it Worth It? It captures the essence of the original . The slight synthetic feel might bother some hardcore fragrance snobs, but it’s hard to complain. If you want a daily driver that captures that incense and coffee profile then this is a good bet. If you value ultra-refined ingredients and a smoother blend, then yes. Otherwise, Spicy Amber delivers enough of the experience. ### Olfactory Experience Spicy Amber opens with a blast of dark roasted coffee, not a sweet latte type. The incense kicks in pretty fast, a smoky, almost church-like vibe that’s not overpowering. I get vanilla in the heart, but it's dry, not sugary. The drydown is where the benzoin and labdanum ground it with a slightly resinous, ambery feel. Compared to Matiere Premiere's Encens Suave? I'd say it's about 81% there. Encens Suave has a smoother, more refined feel and richer vanilla. Spicy Amber has slightly sharper edges, that more pronounced coffee, and lacks that super-high-end natural quality. It's not bad, just not quite as seamlessly blended. ### Performance Reality Check Projection is moderate for the first hour, leaving a nice scent bubble. After that, it settles closer to the skin. Longevity is decent; I get about 6-7 hours on my skin. It will probably last longer on clothes."

"### Olfactory Experience Spicy Amber opens with a robust coffee note, though rendered with a noticeable synthetic edge. It lacks the nuanced roasted quality of Matiere Premiere's Encens Suave. The heart centers on incense, and it's here the clone achieves a respectable likeness, capturing about 85% of the original's resinous character. Madagascar vanilla attempts to smooth out the sharper incense, but falls slightly short. The base, a blend of benzoin and labdanum, aims for a warm amber accord. It’s less complex than the original. Some of the deeper, balsamic facets present in Encens Suave are missing, resulting in a slightly thinner finish. Overall, the fragrance captures the general idea, but lacks the depth and sophistication of its inspiration. ### How Long Does it Last? The initial projection is moderate, creating a noticeable scent bubble for about an hour. It quickly settles closer to the skin. Longevity is decent ; I observed approximately 5-6 hours of wear. The dry down becomes a muted, slightly sweet amber skin scent. The synthetic coffee note is a clear drawback, and the base lacks some nuance. However, the incense accord is respectable. At roughly 1/10th the cost, this is a decent option for casual wear or layering. Ultimately, while it's a reasonable interpretation, the quality difference justifies the investment in Matiere Premiere's creation if you seek refined artistry."