BON PARFUMEUR
602 – Bois Narcotique Intense
2024
PERFUMER
Sidonie Lancesseur
black pepper
hot pepper
pink berries
incense
apple
neroli
cedarwood
amber
moss
vetiver
‘A trio of spices, wood and incense, where the incense boosts the spices for an intense woodiness.’ – Sidonie Lancesseur
‘A timeless success made more intense and faceted. A walk after a torrent of rain and the undergrowth letting in the sun’s rays. In the top notes, spices bow to pepper. In the heart, incense extends the pepper with its cold, spicy, resinous notes. A woody base of cedar and patchouli underpins the fragrance, with amber woods lending power and intensity.’ – Jovoy
This one is not at all what I expected, prior to the launch. I had smelled it off a test strip in the meantime and it was pretty clear what direction it was taking. Which I can now confirm after wearing it; Bois Narcotique smells like an Creed Aventus inspired ‘cologne’ to my nose.
Funny enough, it’s been compared to Sauvage Elixir by others, which in turn has links to Absolu Aventus, but I definitely get more Aventus than Sauvage here personally; Sauvage Elixir has a weird kind of sweetness and less of a green tone. Bois Narcotique is bright fruity, green, sharp, traditionally masculine leaning. Actually really pleasant for a refreshing, crispy type of fragrance, just not bringing much new to the table. It feels a bit mundane; like it would be the workhorse of a collection, but no piece de resistance.
It’s definitely fresher and more ‘aftershave’ like than Aventus. I don’t quite remember Aventus Cologne well enough, but if anything, this is what it should’ve smelled like. Also reminiscent of one of my favorite Aventus-like renditions: V Canto Adux, but that grows more ambery and feels richer and denser. Bois Narcotique is clearer, transparent. It does grow more woody, a bit ambery, but it retains this sharpness and freshness well.
I would have to wear it again in Summer, as I think it would lend itself nicely for warmer weather. It’s an okay fragrance, but not one that does anything to impress me the way their 501 – Iris Cartagena did.