D'ORSAY Incense Crush Extrait de Parfum

What it smells like

D'ORSAY Incense Crush is a woody-spicy Extrait de Parfum that treats incense as something warm and sensual rather than austere. It opens on clove and cardamom, a pairing that is immediately aromatic: clove brings a dry, almost medicinal heat, while cardamom lifts it with a cooler, greener spice. There is no citrus to soften the start, so the fragrance announces its character at once.

The heart turns tactile. A leather accord gives suppleness and a faint smokiness, and a creamy accord rounds it, adding a milky smoothness that stops the spices from becoming sharp. This contrast, dry leather against something soft, is what gives the composition its tension.

The base is the reason to own it. Olibanum, better known as frankincense, provides resinous smoke with a cool, peppery edge, while cedarwood and oakwood build a dry timber structure and vetiver adds an earthy, slightly smoky finish. As an Extrait de Parfum concentrated above 30%, it projects steadily and lasts for many hours, leaving a warm, resinous trail on skin and on clothing.

Who made it

Incense Crush was composed by Julien Rasquinet, a French perfumer known for characterful niche work. D'ORSAY describes the fragrance as a love potion, with oak and cedar reigniting the embers of the day while cardamom and clove add spice to the evening.

It was released in 2024 as part of the house's Extrait de Parfum line, which drops the personal initials used on the Eau de Parfum range in favour of single, bolder ideas.

Who it’s for

This is for people who like incense, resins and dry woods, and who want that style with more warmth than a traditional church-incense scent. If you enjoy frankincense, cedar or leather fragrances, Incense Crush will feel familiar but softer around the edges thanks to the creamy accord.

It is unisex and suits wearers who want presence. If you prefer fresh, sweet or light fragrances, this will be too dense; if you want something that announces itself quietly but firmly, it is an excellent choice.

When to wear it

Incense Crush belongs to autumn and winter, and to the evening. It is ideal for dinners, nights out, cold weather and occasions where a fragrance with weight feels right. On cool days it also works from late afternoon onwards.

Because it is an extrait, one or two sprays are enough. In hot weather or in small, warm rooms the resins can become heavy, so apply sparingly there.

About the house

D'ORSAY is a Parisian perfume house founded on an 1830 story: Count Alfred d'Orsay, dandy and artist, composed a fragrance as a tribute to his love for Marguerite, Countess of Blessington, and it is remembered as one of the first worn by women and men alike. Every D'ORSAY fragrance today is unisex. Alongside the Eaux de Parfum, which carry a person's initials in their names, the house produces a line of Extraits de Parfum concentrated above 30%: bolder, longer-lasting single ideas such as Tonka Hysteria, Rose Blaze, Holy Berry and Flower Lust. Fragrances are made in France, and the house's Paris boutique is at 44 rue du Bac. Incense Crush Extrait de Parfum is available at Redolia Perfumery as a full 90 ml bottle.