Andy Tauer’s Incense Extreme is a dry, cedarwood concoction, much like his L’Air du Desert Marocain, only Incense Extreme replaces the piney fresh notes of L’Air with the flowery sweetness of the Orris root.
Tauer has a reputation for creating dynamic fragrances, and Incense Extreme is no exception. It starts off intense and stays that way, rising and passing from one phase to the other like athletes in a relay race — the baton is passed and a new element hits the ground running.
Powdery violet gives way to incense smoke and spices which then move into sharp, bracing cedarwood supported by a dollop of warmer resins. It’s all very nicely done and admirably executed, though a bit fussy for my taste.
Yeah, I know, I love M7 and Soir de Orient, yet criticize Incense Extreme for being overly fussy, but it’s all about context (baby). If you’re a fan of cedar and incense, Armani Prive works the cedarwood/incense formula to a simpler and better effect with his Bois d’Encens.
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I stumbled upon your blog through a link to my older host (on the “Kouros” scent which I also like). Interesting to see more male scents reviewed!
I seem to have enjoyed Incense Extreme more than you did(http://perfumeshrine.blogspot.com/2008/01/incense-extrme-by-tauer-fragrance.html)
I find it wonderfully sparse, mediative, austere and this is a quality I enjoy in incense fragrances. Maybe his Incense Rose will be more to your linking.
Bois d’Encens is really good, I agree.
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Tauer creates fragrances that are a bit too austere for me. I respect them, and can admire them, but find them too sharp edged and angular to really fall in love with them. I’ve considered getting a sample of his Incense Rose to see if that might be the one that incorporates enough lush softness to slip past my radar . . .