Raw Materials - Frankincense · Brotherhood Of Scent

Sep '24 (edited) • New Releases & Reviews 📝

Raw Materials - Frankincense

Frankincense is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia Sacra, Boswellia Serrata, and Boswellia Carteri, which are native to the Arabian Peninsula, northeastern Africa, and parts of India. The resin is harvested by making incisions in the tree's bark, allowing a milky sap to seep out. This sap hardens into a resin, which is then collected and either used as is or further processed into essential oil through steam distillation.

Frankincense has a rich history of use in religious ceremonies, traditional medicine, and perfumery, and is a highly prized ingredient in men’s fragrances. Known for its warm, woody, and slightly sweet aroma with hints of spice, citrus, and pine, Frankincense adds depth, warmth, and a mystical quality to compositions. Often used as a base note, it anchors a fragrance with its grounding, earthy essence while enhancing the longevity of other notes. Its versatility allows it to blend seamlessly with woods, spices, and florals, creating sophisticated, evocative scents associated with spirituality, meditation, and timeless elegance.

When I smell Frankincense: There’s something solemn to it, like stepping into a sacred space. There's also warmth to it, a rich, woody depth that instantly grounds me, yet there's also a hint of spice. Sharp, woody and smokiness resonate from this concentrated sample, much like elemi, but the smoky part makes it darker. The aroma is both mysterious and comforting, as if it carries the weight of centuries. It’s the kind of scent that lingers, leaving an impression of timelessness and quiet strength. Old buildings, churches, wooden pews, etc. that sort of thing!

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Giorgio-Armani/Acqua-di-Gio-Profumo-29727.html

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Profumum-Roma/Ambra-Aurea-6968.html

What say you Gents? Any experience with Frankincense forward fragrances? What ones do you like or dislike? What ones out there would you like to try? And for you seasoned fragheads, what fragrances would you recommend to beginners? Love to hear from 'ya!

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