Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur Crème Ébène Intense by Olya Bar

“Crème Ébène was born from my desire to marry the enveloping softness of a cream with the powerful, textured facets of dark woods. It’s a fragrance of contrast, evoking the warmth of a cocoon and the nobility of ancient wood. An intimate, elegant, and deeply comforting harmony.”-Patricia DE NICOLAÏ, Perfumer And Founder

courtesy of Madame Patricia DE NICOLAÏ

The Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur stand at the Esxence show in Milan this past February buzzed with excitement, drawing a crowd of perfume enthusiasts and savvy retailers. All eyes were on the latest release, Crème Ébène Intense Eau de Parfum, which stole the spotlight as the standout of the 2025 exhibition. Perfectly timed for the fall season, this creation by Patricia DE NICOLAÏ delivers a warm, resinous allure with a balanced, luxurious edge, redefining sophisticated scent for the cooler months.

Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur Crème Ébène Eau de Parfum Intense via the brand

 Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur Crème Ébène Intense blossoms on skin, blending soft, milky cream with the profound depth of dark woods. The opening is a luminous burst with a vibrant trio of saffron’s golden warmth, cardamom’s sharp zest, and cumin’s earthy spice, softened by the delicate bloom of white flowers, setting a mysterious, captivating tone. This leads into a woody core, anchored by the crisp, regal presence of Atlas cedar and Virginian cedar, their texture smooth and almost tangible, enhanced by the sweet, velvety richness of Medjool dates and the lush roundness of vanilla. The milkiness here is a revelation, a delicate yet pervasive note that evokes the smooth, nurturing essence of fresh cream, gently contrasting with the robust, sun-ripened sweetness of Medjool dates. This interplay creates a luscious harmony, where the creamy softness tempers the dates’ caramel-like depth, while the dark woods, Atlas and Virginian cedar’s dry elegance and the subtle, earthy undertones of sandalwood provide a grounding counterpoint. Vanilla weaves through this composition, its warm, powdery richness amplifying the milkiness into a velvety cocoon, offering a tactile warmth that feels both indulgent and refined, as if the scent itself is a luxurious embrace against the crisp autumn air.

Wood texture via Unsplash.

As the fragrance deepens, a darker, more intricate layer begins to emerge. Refined leather, laced with the smoky hint of papyrus, merges with patchouli’s earthy depth, sandalwood’s creamy warmth, and white musk’s sensual finish, creating an enveloping, seductive aura. The creaminess here is a standout feature, a luxurious sensation that clings to the skin like a gentle, warm breeze, offering an opulent yet intimate experience. This is by no means a gourmand and will be very well suited for anyone who appreciates a creative play on woody notes and resins with just a hint of sweetness which feels more balmy than sugary.

Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur Crème Ébène Intense is my absolute obsession this fall, its balsamic depth and spiced-woody foundation delivering a signature that is irresistible, a scent that lingers like the quiet glow of an autumn evening.

Notes: Saffron, Cardamom, White Flowers, Cumin; Dates, Atlas Cedar, Virginian Cedar; Papyrus, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Patchouli, White Musk.

Disclaimer: The bottle of Crème Ébène was kindly gifted to me by the brand but opinions are always my own.

Olya Bar, Editor.

Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur Crème Ébène Intense via the brand

Thanks to the largesse of Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur we have a Crème Ébène Intense 100ml bottle for one registered reader in Canada or EU ONLY. YOU MUST REGISTER. To be eligible, please leave a comment describing what tantalizes you about Olya’s reviews, which you would choose should you win, whether you have a favorite Nicolaï Parfumeur-Createur, and where you live. Draw closes 09/23/2025.

Read Michelyn’s Exclusive Interview with Patricia de Nicolaï here.

Pavlova was a top 10 perfume of 2024 for Michelyn and the Gourmandise Collection as well. Read Olya’s review of Nicolaï Parfumeur-Créateur Gourmandise Collection Pavlova, Saint Honoré, Macaron Bourbon here. Read Ida’s Iris Médicis Intense Review here.

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