FRAPIN
BONNE CHAUFFE
2023
PERFUMER
Meahb McCurtin
davana
black pepper
oakwood
bran absolute
dark plum
patchouli heart
cedarwood heart
benzoin
vetiver
‘Around the barely glowing embers, the drinks are passed from hand to hand. The final smouldering and glistening bark is mixed with the balmy, round scent of chocolate and honey. After a long day working, the scents of sweet liquor, vanilla milk and French coffee reward body and soul. The noisy vigour of a feast shared in a rustic, friendly and lively atmosphere is followed by a more subdued moment. Iconic manufacturing secret giving its signature to the cognac, the “bonne chauffe” is the second distillation in a still of this spirit of character. The Maison Frapin offers you here, a powerful fragrance inspired by the burning fire; the one that heats, illuminates, forges and awakens the senses. Twigs, dried roots and shavings mingle with oak logs to provide warmth and protection in a flaming combustion with a thick veil of smoke. The fireplace crackles and embraces the air with its blaze.’ – Frapin
Bonne Chauffe is Frapin’s latest. I sampled (and reviewed it) on my own accord a month prior to the PR collaboration and was quite impressed.
This is not for the faint of heart and perfect for the cold weather. To me, Bonne Chauffe feels like a warm and sweet campfire. Definitely getting some lactonic and chocolate gourmand vibes in it, but it’s fiery and smoky, with a burnt woody backbone.
There’s a constant boozy air to it for me, but it’s mostly an amber. Picture the animalic Roja Parfums De La Nuit No. 1 (or maybe Stephane Humbert Lucas H Mamba) mixed with an amber like Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir. Or something like the fiery benzoin from Amouage Material. It’s very dense, quite dry, yet sticky.
After several wearings (I sampled this last month as well), I still don’t get much plum here; perhaps that boozy, fermented fruitiness, but I do not understand the comparisons that others have made between Bonne Chauffe and Plum In Cognac. The Scents Of Wood is an easy going, comfort scent, whereas Bonne Chauffe is much more demanding. Still cozy, but in a campfire on a Winter’s evening type of way.
Overall, a great release that compares to fragrances more expensive than Frapin is, which is always great to see. Arguably my favorite from this house after Speakeasy.
