Lalique Encre Noire

Perfumer Nathalie Lorson, who created Encre Noire in 2006, took vetiver and fashioned the rough, scratchy roots into a piece of silk. Everything that makes vetiver interesting–the roasted, nutty, spicy bits–are still there, but there is a soft glaze of musk to tone down the sharp edges. The rich notes of woods give Encre Noire a suave, enveloping feel, and except for the delicate sprinkling of pepper and citrus peel, it’s a dark blend.

Like any well-crafted perfume, Encre Noire is beautiful from all perspectives. The playful shimmer of the top notes is an instant draw, but equally alluring is the drydown of musky wood shavings and smoked twigs. Encre Noire is bracing and uplifting, and its complete lack of sweetness means that it stays this way for hours.

If you’re after musky petals, then Pour Elle is a good choice, but if you want whisky soaked woods and salty licorice, just go over to the men’s section. Like most vetivers, Encre Noire has great longevity and presence, but unlike rich flowers or gourmand ambers, it’s not distracting. It means business and helps me get mine done. Yet, when I’m ready to relax, nothing is more seductive than a few drops of this dark vetiver under a silk camisole

Lalique Encre Noire Pour Homme includes notes of cypress, vetiver Bourbon, vetiver Haiti, woods, and musk. Pour Elle features bergamot, freesia, amber, osmanthus, rose, cedarwood, Haiti vetiver, and musk. Available at Sephora (Europe), Aedes de Venustas, and Neiman Marcus

Encre Noire by Lalique is a Woody Aromatic fragrance for men. Encre Noire was launched in 2006. The nose behind this fragrance is Nathalie Lorson. The top note is Cypress; the middle note is Vetiver; the base notes are Cashmere Wood and Musk.