Bois D'Ascese is an oriental woody fragrance that launched in 2012 and was created by Julien Rasquinet. The inspiration for this fragrance is a wooden church nestled between the hills of New South Wales, Australia with the surrounding countryside ablaze. This perfume is a souvenir from Naomi's childhood and homage to her family's Scottish origins. It is a meditative swirl of serene incense, intensified by smoked wood. At first, this brings to mind a stark, secluded chapel and a life of plain and simple pleasures. But as it develops, notes of whiskey, tobacco and cinnamon begin to shimmer through the incense, and you start to think that perhaps these pleasures won't be quite so plain, after all. If you have ever enjoyed a fine Islay Scotch whiskey, such as Lagavulin or Laphroaig, you are familiar with the way the intricacies of smoke and moss add a complicated and enigmatic appeal – harsh and medicinal one moment, mesmerizing the next. The layers of smoked cade wood, oakmoss and whiskey have a similar effect here, as bracing jolts of smoke morph into the airy tranquility of incense, keeping us endlessly intrigued and hopelessly addicted. A starkly elegant fragrance that puts us in a trance. It features top notes of tobacco and whisky; middle notes of labdanum, amber and cinnamon; and base notes of Somalian incense, smoked cade wood and oakmoss. Bois D'Ascese is an eau de parfum, edp.
Fragrantica: I sampled a spray from a friend's bottle and ordered one for myself the same evening, it's that good. Rasquinet does it again! This is the holy grail of smokey scents for me - it is rich, deep, complex, sophisticated. It is enchanting, it is the smoke left behind after a spellcaster vanishes. It is the scent of the pyre from a witch who freed herself before the flames got her. If you shy from incense / tobacco / smoke notes, don't go for this one, it packs a punch and certainly isn't a blind buy item. Fabulously unisex, my man often reaches for it too now. I'm especially a fan over how incredibly layerable this is - it adds gorgeous complexity and distinguished character to a slew of other fragrances on my shelf.
Fragrantica: Wow, this takes me right to sitting around a bonfire at my uncles cottage. It smells of a wildfire in a remote area of the Canadian Shield who's only purpose is to stimulate new growth. A respectable wildfire, a respectable smoky scent.
Fragrantica: This fragrance is on fire! It opens with the most gorgeous dry smoky tobacco from the cade wood. Do not be afraid of the smoke as it is beautifully done and in minutes it is less intense leaving a lovely ambery sweetness from cistus labdanum and Somalian incense. This is all supported by cedar and soft leather notes for the long dry down. I don't find the whisky, cinnamon or oak moss perceptible. Quality- excellent. Unisex- leans masculine. Performance- very good. This is an austere smoky incense fragrance (Ascetic's wood) made for meditation preferably by a mountain lake next to a bonfire or sauna. Smoke lovers - this is for you. 8.5/10
Fragrantica: Heavy punch of spicy woody fire smoke, quite literally smells like I've been near a campfire for hours. Very realistic drying down into a softer boozy like smell, definitely catch mostly tar like wood smoke however all throughout it's longevity. If you enjoy smoky scents def give this one a try!
Fragrantica: Austere and contemplative woody aromatic scent built around a nice frankincense note. The scent has a brief opening of tobacco, whiskey and labdanum moving again quickly to a cinnamon amber heart before settling into the heavy frankincense surrounded by some oakmoss and cedar. The unisex scent is linear and well constructed and very church like. It has moderate to strong projection and good longevity. Recommended for incense lovers mainly. Enjoy!
Fragrantica: Smells exactly like a very cold December night, walking through rows of Christmas trees with my sisters to find the perfect one, and some of the boy scouts are neglecting the bonfire to say hi to our two delighted retrievers. Amazing.
Fragrantica: Opens with a big burst of smoke and can be quite overwhelming but this fragrance is just so realistic. The drydown is to die for once the smoke settles down and it smells just like wood burning in a fireplace. Such an original fragrance for those looking for a realistic wood smoke note. I have to give my sample more wears to judge but so far I am so pleasently surprised. In general Naomi Goodsir has such an artistic way of making fragrances.
