Swiss Arabian Incense 01 Extrait de Parfum 1.7 oz

Smoke first, then something unexpectedly edible. Incense 01 opens with frankincense and juniper cut by bergamot and a boozy rum accord, which gives the resin a warmth most incense fragrances skip entirely. The middle is where it turns: fig, roasted almond and hazelnut arrive alongside lily of the valley, and the smoke starts sitting on top of a nutty sweetness instead of standing alone. The base is sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla and dark chocolate with moss and more frankincense woven back through - church resin and dessert in the same breath.

Top: Frankincense, juniper, rum, bergamot · Heart: Fig, lily of the valley, roasted almond, hazelnut · Base: Sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, dark chocolate, moss, frankincense

As an extrait the oil load is high and it shows: nine to twelve hours, with the smoky-nutty base lingering on clothing well past that. Projection is moderate rather than aggressive, which is fortunate in this climate. Resins behave differently in Miami humidity - instead of the thin, dry smoke you get in cold air, moisture holds the frankincense close to the skin and rounds it off, so the chocolate and almond come forward and the whole composition reads warmer and softer outdoors than it does under air conditioning. Two sprays outdoors and one indoors is a sensible starting point.

Evening, cooler months, and occasions with some gravity to them. It suits anyone who likes Middle Eastern perfumery but does not want oud, and it is fully unisex. Not the obvious pick for a hot afternoon meeting, since the incense is distinctive enough that a small room will register it, but excellent for a night out or a quiet evening at home.

This one is bottle-only on our shelves, with no split available, so the tester is your route in. Incense is polarizing and deserves a real trial: stop into the Miami Gardens shop, spray it, and give it twenty minutes before you make up your mind.