Lalique – Encre Noire À L’Extrême: Overview, Smell, Notes & More!

After the grand success of the original Encre Noire fragrance, in 2015, the brand behind the scent, Lalique, decided to up the ante and release a more intense masculine edition, the Encre Noire À L’Extrême.

Thankfully, the brand’s faith in the fragrance has paid off as now fans all over the world wear the À L’Extrême as their signature scent.

Overview

À L’Extrême, successor to the Encre Noire Pour Elle and Encre Noire Sport, has been able to cement its status as one of the leading aromatic woody fragrances for men. 

Master perfumer, Nathalie Lorson, must be truly commended for formulating such a wonderful concoction.

The intensive woodsy blend of vetiver and cypress is truly unmatched. 

Fragrance Notes

Boasting top notes of elemi resin, cypress, and bergamot; heart notes of incense, orris, and Haitian vetiver; and base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, and benzoin, À L’Extrême gives off an extremely powerful and intensive masculine scent. 

What Does Encre Noire À L’Extrême Smell Like?

Letʼs answer the million-dollar question now – what does the fragrance Encre Noire À L’Extrême smell like?

In all honesty, it smells like a confident man in a well-tailored black suit who’s ready to take over the world. 

The scent will have you thinking of a tree that’s been struck by lightning and burned to glorious cinders.

Before the drydown period kicks in, youʼll also detect notes of incense as well as a woody aroma. 

Over time, the firm black woodiness transforms into a much more velvety, smoother fragrance, evoking a sense of warmth and tenderness. 

If youʼve tried the original Encre Noir dark scent, understand that the À L’Extrême basically boasts the same DNA but with some kinks smoothed out.

In a nutshell, if the  Encre Noire is a brisk fall day outside, the À L’Extrême  is the cozy fire afterwards. 

How Long Does Encre Noire À L’Extrême Last For?

Thankfully, the woody intensity of the À L’Extrême fragrance doesnʼt disappoint in the longevity department.

This fragrance lasts for around nine hours, give or take, serving mostly as a skin scent. 

As for its sillage, I would rate it moderate at best; fortunately, this works in favor of the scent as it can get overwhelming in small spaces.

When Should You Wear It?

Although the À L’Extrême fragrance redefines masculine sensuality, it is neither suitable for everyday use nor can it be considered a mass-appeal scent.

So, use it sparingly in the fall months and only for special occasions. 

In my opinion, the fragrance Encre Noir À L’Extrême, due to its mysterious essence, works best when worn on a rainy day or night.  

You can also use this scent on romantic dates to showcase your confidence.

It’s best suited for gentlemen above the age of 30. 

Presentation and Value For Money

Available for purchase in either a 50ml or 100ml Eau de Parfum bottle, I must say that the aromatic woody perfume is dirt cheap considering its incredible presentation.

Since the perfume comes in a wonderfully designed, classic bottle and smells much more expensive than its price tag, this scent offers full value for money. 

In conclusion, it’s safe to say you can invest in this product without hesitation. 

The Bottom Line

Donʼt be fooled into thinking that L’Extrême Encre Noire Parfum is simply a dark perfume.

Itʼs much more wearable than its predecessor owing to its naturally warm, sweet, smooth, and woody notes, making it a perfect cold-weather, nighttime scent.

Also, donʼt expect the dark vetiver to make a standout performance as itʼs somewhat held back by other smoky incense ingredients.

Plus, the fact that the perfume is accessible and comes at an extremely competitive price really adds to its charm. 

A word of advice – only go for this perfume if you’re looking for a mature scent. 

Perfumes that Smell Like Encre Noire À L’Extrême

I think that Chanelʼs Sycamore smells similar to the L’Extrême.

They both have a refined, subtle, melodic scent, which is further augmented by fresher Haitian vetiver accents.

However, the drydown of the L’Extrême is far more appealing. 

I also find the Tauer L’Air du Desert Marocain quite similar to the L’Extrême on the basis that theyʼre both woody and strong.

Finally, if you like the masterfully rustic Encre Noire fragrances, you may also enjoy the Comme de Garcons Wonderwood perfume.

Both the perfumes give off woody scents, with the Wonderwood leaning towards offering a more expensive hardwood type of sawdust fragrance.