Olibanum Sacra, Vanille, Iris (Sylvie Jourdet)  2022 + 3 you should be wearing giveaway

 

Olibanum Sacra, Iris, Vanille, reviews

Olibanum Iris, Vanille and Sacra collage with official photos

 “I wanted to create a brand without telling stories, focused on a sole raw material, with a reasonable ecological impact. I’ve been told I was crazy. It made me want to do it.” Gérald Ghislain

Yes, you read it right, the mastermind of stories, Gerald Ghislain launched a brand stripped of storytelling! The creator of Histoires de Parfums is one of the first true dream weavers, a pioneer who was among the few who paved the narrow road of niche perfumery for others to follow. 22 years ago Histoires de Parfums launched their line of “stories to be read on your skin” – an olfactive library that has brought to life, over the years, famous characters, mythical years, poems, music, and amazing raw materials.

Gérald Ghislain Of Histoires de Parfums

Gérald Ghislain via the official website

As Monty Python would put it, we are now in for something… completely different.

The olibanum-focused brand was designed with a clear and simple intention. “Perfumery – especially in the case of niche brands – has always told stories, but does it actually improve the scent? Stripping away a perfume in order to discover its fundamental dimension and its pure and accessible creations is the very essence of Olibanum.” The brand is focused on simplicity, with perfumes that say how they smell and that smell how they say; constructed with a conscious approach and care in order to have a minimal ecological impact on the world, and committed, lending support to numerous humanitarian projects.

The spotlight is on the scent, in order to return to the essence of perfumery and make the purity of the raw material shine. Why olibanum? The brand tells us: “coveted by pharaohs and kings of antiquity, this burnt offering, which adorned altars around the world in India, Africa, Europe, and Mesopotamia, was believed to convey the prayers of rituals both sacred and secular. From India all the way to the Horn of Africa and passing through the Sultanate of Oman, the olibanum resin is harvested by cutting into the bark of the Boswellia tree to awaken its woodsy, aromatic, balsamic, mineral, spicy, and lemony tonalities. Even today, this resin purifies the atmosphere, relaxes, and soothes the mind.”

 Olibanum wears its green heart on its sleeve, with ethical natural ingredients, clean synthetics, and every detail of the packaging and the supply chain thoughtfully designed to be eco-friendly and minimize the carbon footprint.

what is olibanum

via the brand

The many faces of the god of per-fumum – olibanum, are explored and magnified with the use of another “hero ingredient”. We have the woods and barks – with Santal, Oud, Cuir vegetal; the leaves: Patchouli and Mate; flowers: Rose, Tubereuse, Osmanthe, Safran; the fruits: Vanille, Yuzu, Sacra, Opoponax; the seeds: Ambrette, Cardamome; and last but not least, the roots: Iris, Gingembre, Vetiver. Think of having different colored lenses put over an olfactive microscope, through which you can explore the scenery, to discover new and surprising details. Plus – these “lenses” can be layered, (which the brand encourages) for a very customizable and always surprising effect.

 

Nicoleta’s Olibanum discovery kit©

Opening the discovery kit, I felt just like a kid in a room full of toys. Not only is olibanum one of my favorite ingredients, but the entire portfolio is based on the idea of layering fragrances, with numerous combinations being suggested by the brand, but imagination being your only limit. I had a blast playing alchemist with my sample kit, mixed together, in different proportions and in different combinations, layered on top of each other, or playing with layering on skin/hair/ clothes, the three samples below were the first one to dry out of my discovery kit:

 Olibanum Vanille: a well-behaved, down to–earth (pun intended) non-sweet vanilla, slightly smoked and rooted into its darker sides by cade and iris, with hints of leathery accents. It’s beautiful, understated, and elegant.Notes: Vanilla, Cade, and Iris

Olibamum Iris: a silky, smooth, elegant powdery iris that is slightly sweetened and yellowed by jasmine. The result is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous iris that feels both soothing and stimulating in effect and sheer joy to wear. Notes: Iris, Jasmine, Lily

Olibanum Sacra: the alfa and omega, the one that started it all. The sheer essence of olibanum, with a resinous woody base and a veil of musk to round it up and smooth all the edges. Notes: Somalian Olibanum, Fir Balsam, White Musks.

Olibanum new perfumes

Olibanum, photo via official Instagram

Note from the brand* All of the Olibanum fragrances contain a CO2 extracted olibanum from Somalia, one of the most renowned varieties. Supercritical CO2 extraction entails implies treating a natural aromatic raw material with CO2 in the supercritical state. In this state, CO2 has the viscosity of a gas and the density of a liquid, which makes it an effective solvent and an ecological extraction process that is more environmentally friendly for the olfactory qualities of raw resin.

Read more about Olibanum in Emmanuelle Varron’s Esxence 2022  Event Report here.

Also my review of Histories de Parfums Encens Roi here

You can read Michelyn’s interview with Gerald Ghislain here

More about Gerald Ghislain and his culinary background and the connection to gastronomy and his perfumes written by Emmanuelle Varron here

 Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Editor

Disclosure:  Samples provided by the brand, opinions are always my own

 Olibanum Sacra, Iris, Vanille, collage with official photos

Thanks to the generosity of Olibanum we have a a choice between the 3 x 12 ml composition set of Olibanum Sacra, Vanilla and Iris, or a 50 ml bottle of  Olibanaum Sacra for one registered reader in the USA or EU. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Nicoleta’s review and, what’s your pick should you win and where you live. Draw closes 12/14/2022

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @nicoleta.tomsa @olibanum.parfum @gerald_ghislain @sylviejourdet

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53 comments

  • Laurentiu says:

    I would love to get the trio discovery kit as I feel that each one of them has something interesting going on. I do not know any from this house, but I hope I will get to experience the fragrances soon.
    Thank you

  • Baseeta says:

    I’m in the USA and am always searching for more sophisticated vanilla fragrances – ones with woods and/ or resins. The set of three that can be layered sounds like it fits the bill quite nicely. Thanks for this chance to try this.

  • Jeremi says:

    The unique fascinating and absolutely beautiful notes of this fragrance definitely spark my interest. I would like to win a 50 ml bottle of Olibanaum Sacra. I live in Trzebnica, Poland, EU.

  • dLin says:

    A smooth woody scent with musk and resin has got me intrigued and sounds like it would go great in colder weathers. My pick is the 50ml Olibanum Sacra.
    Thank you from the USA.

  • Giorgia295 says:

    Love that the creator of historie de parfum is the same person behind this new love. Love also the concept similar as Matiere premiere to focus on raw ingredients. If I would win I’ll choose the set since it’s a brand very difficult to find here in Italy.
    Greetings from Milan

  • skye says:

    Interesting approach to creating a fragrance; stripping away a perfume to discover its fundamental essence. I’ve heard about olibanum in compositions of course, but not sure I’ve encountered it in its “pure” form. The approach and the resulting fragrances with the addition of the “ hero” ingredients sounds inspired. I also love layering my fragrances to create new olfactory experiences. The discovery set of Sacra, Vanilla and Iris sounds perfect to me. MD, USA.

  • kevinregan says:

    love the idea of stripping a fragrance down to its essence in order to tell the story. i’m curious to smell the discovery set as all of the scents sound so distinct from one another and i am not super familiar with olibanaum scents. thanks for the chance. i am in the US.

  • Emily L says:

    I like that Olibanum fragrances strive to be environmentally friendly. It would be wonderful to have the 50 ml bottle of Olibanum Sacra. ~Indiana

  • CHRISTOPHE FERRY says:

    Hello everyone, i love layering, and i love Incense, witch is i think the starting point of perfumery. I’m very excited by this new launch cause i know and appreciate the Histoire de Parfums ‘s work. Cause i love Olibanum, i chose the Olibanum Sacra 50ml. I live in France. Thanks for reading. Thanks for the great quality of your website.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Quite a change from Histories de Parfum. I love that line and am fortunate my local shop carries it. Such a long history with olibanum. I have some in my possession which I shall go sniff as I usually just burn them, so that gives it the smoke as well. Curious now what it smells like not burning. I would love to win the composition set as all of them sound amazing. Thanks for putting those links for Gerald’s interview and other creations, am interested to read those since I never knew the history of that line. Thanks for the chance!! USA.

  • Juan Lagares says:

    What an interesting trio of fragrances! I am curious of the combination of musk and resins in the Sacra fragrance.
    It would be my pick if i win: a bottle of the Olibanum Sacra. Im in the US.

  • RiccardoC says:

    Amazing brand, which I discovered at Excence in Milan.
    The idea and the goal of the brand is fascinating, both because of the attention to raw material and to the environment.
    I would pick Olibanum Sacra, 50 ml bottle, as I am looking for a splendid incens perfume
    Riccardo, Italy EU

  • danniella says:

    Nicoleta really sparked my interest about olibanum. I didn’t think twice about this note before. I’d love to try the discovery set. I am from the EU.

  • lavienrose13 says:

    I find quite interesting this idea of avoiding a story telling for selling a perfume. In the case of Ollibanum, there is still a story telling (or at least explicit motivations for the brand), and I find it quite interesting. It cleary raises my interest for smelling olibanum as a material and Olibanum propositions. If I have a chance to win, I’d like to get the composition set. From France.

  • vir_cha says:

    I hope to be able to meet the Olibanum perfumes during a trip in Paris, to smell the whole collection. For now, the one that attracts me most is Olibanum Iris. I am writing from France. Thanks !

  • opalbear says:

    This is a beautiful beginning! I’m excited to see how these are and where this new project goes to. I love the pro-active responsible harvesting, packaging, resourcing. That intrigues me as much as the amazing notes! I would love the discovery set of 3. I am in California.

  • lavienrose13 says:

    Steven Gavrielatos, Video Editor: Breadmakers delight Kamut Sourdough bread
    Emmanuelle Varron, Editor: Boeuf bourguignon
    Michael Devine, Contributor: I do not have any most requested recipes (because I don’t cook)

    Ida Meister, Deputy Editor: Risotto with beetroot and salva cheese
    Olya Bar, Editor: Mezcal Margherita
    Ermano Picco, Editor: Cacio e Pepe pasta al Limone
    Lauryn Beer, Sr. Editor: Cardamom coffee cake
    Sandi Lundberg, Associate Contributor: lemon lavender tart
    Rachel Watson, Sr. Contributor: Thai green curry chicken
    Hernando Courtright, Sr. Contributor: hummus and falafel
    Elise Pearlstine, Editor: Flourless chocolate cake with ganache
    Nicoleta Tomsa, Sr. Editor: spiedini alla romana
    Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief: Oysters Rockefeller
    I think my lasagnes (a family recipe) is the one my friends ask me more often
    USA, EU, UK: 100 ml MATIERE PREMIERE Crystal Saffron
    USA and EU:50 ml flacon of Hiram Green Shangri La
    USA, UK AND EU: BDK Villa Neroli
    From Europe

  • BigMickyD says:

    I would love the 50 ml bottle of Olibanum Sacra, because that one in particular piqued my interest, even though I am a big fan of vanilla and iris in perfumes. I like how Nicoleta uses her words to entice us readers, she’s really good at it. Hope I can win this one. Good luck everyone!

    I live in the EU.

  • Alexa94 says:

    I’m so glad to see a house putting a spotlight on the beautiful note of Olibanum, my favourite resin, without a doubt. It’s a heavenly smell. If I were lucky enough to win, I believe I’d want a 50 ml bottle of Olibanum Sacra. Lovely reviews from Nicoleta, as always. It makes me glad that you at Cafleurebon writes about the smaller, up-and-coming fragrance houses, who knows if they’d be able to survive without your help.

    I live in Sweden, EU.

  • Lolis says:

    Finally, it’s a way to create your own olfactory story, Gerald Gislain’s idea of purity and letting the stripped of narative scent envelop the senses is bold and focused , i would like to try 3*12 ml composition set of Olibanum Sacra, Vanilla and Iris!Thanks Nicoleta for the article, from Romania with love!

  • Salem says:

    The decision of experimenting with an approach so different to the one we are used to, plus the responsibility towards the environment and sustainability have triggered my interest the most. Also, choosing this ‘alpha and omega’ note to base the releases on, even though it’s kind of a more mysterious, less marketed note, is clever and meaningful.
    I would choose the bottle of Olibanum Sacra if I won. I would love to get to know the main player better, in its purity.
    Many thanks from the EU.

  • Flory89 says:

    Olibanum Sacra for me! I already pictured in my mind how olibanum and fir balsam would smell, but that extra touch of musks makes me curious.
    Thank you! Europe

  • k says:

    This discovery kit sounds so fun! I would be really interested to try fragrances without any stories associated with them, as I am really influenced by a fragrances background story. If I win, I would chose the discovery kit. Thank you for the review, writing from the EU.

  • celiamp8 says:

    Very few times we read about the details of perfume brands’ commitment to sustainability, even less so with such detail and thoughtfulness down to the sourcing of their base materials. It’s amazing that Olibanum has such control over their production process. I’m a big fan of perfumes that let their biggest ingredient shine through for my signature scents, so it would be amazing to win the full bottle of Sacra and be able to experience it in its full glory. I’m based in Spain (EU) at the moment. Thank you!

  • Steve A says:

    My interest was most sparked by the short descriptions of the three fragrances and the short list of notes for each. My choice for the draw is the composition set. US

  • sowa says:

    Olibanum is my favorite note. That’s why I am very interested in this collection. Next time I’m in Paris, I already know where to go. I am very curious how the same note resounds in combination with different additions. The ability to mix and layer scents gives you endless possibilities for a more personal customization. Of course, I choose the set, because I would like to get to know as many fragrances of this brand as possible.
    I live in Poland, EU.

  • kirisekiib says:

    This is an interesting concept of the brand, and knowing that it comes from Gérald Ghislain I believe the quality must be fantastic. Beautiful notes, I would be more than happy to try them all. Lithuania, EU.

  • snowflake15 says:

    I love olibanaum and I love iris! Special Somali olibanaum sounds even better. I’ll
    take the set of 3 please. Thank you for the drawing. USA

  • drjedi says:

    I learned about Gerald and the fact that he created Histoires de Parfums and the brand Olibanum. It is remarkable how ecologically conscious the brand is. I like how they explore one particular ingredient in depth and then blended with other ingredients in simple ways. As Nicoleta did, I would love to play the alchemist with their creations. For the draw, I will choose Olibanum Sacra, were I to win this draw. Thanks a lot. From USA.

  • Taleofarose says:

    Nicoleta writes about layering of scents like a fashion designer. I’m sold! If I win the discovery set, I’ll most definitely turn playing with the essences into a ritual.

    I live in Portugal/EU

  • patrick_348 says:

    What an interesting brand and what an interesting introduction to olibanum, a note I had heard of but never really comprehended the importance of! I would choose the larger bottle of Sacra. I live in North Carolina, in the USA. I was intrigued by the idea of deliberately not trying to tell a story and pleased at the consciousness of sustainability as a principle for doing business.

  • INYA says:

    The mention of olibanum in a fragrance always catches my interest. I liked the use of raw materials used in this olibanum-focused brand. I would love to win a bottle of Olibanaum Sacra. Thanks for the opportunity. Mich USA

  • Jacob D Savitt says:

    All of these fragrances sound exquisite. Nicoletta, beautiful job demonstrating the company as a whole and how important that olibanum note is in upping these fragrances. It’s hard to choose, but I’m most interested in the iris!

    From NJ, USA

  • Bryant Worley says:

    What sparked my interest is that it’s from Histoires de Parfums, and I’ve been wanting try something from them. Next, the layering aspect makes me really interested, as I’ve enjoyed laering many fragrances.

    I would like to win the 3 x 12 ml composition set of Olibanum Sacra, Vanilla and Iris

    I live in Waldorf, Maryland, USA.

  • ClaudiaM says:

    I would love to get a 50 ml of Olibanum Sacra. I don’t know the brand, but I love how they work around the raw materials and try to respect that.
    Plus, I am a big sucker for incense perfumes!

    Claudia, EU

  • AdventurousFox says:

    I was captivated by the title itself, love the olibanum and reminds me of going to church as a child. It’s an ethereal, sacred and spiritual smell for me. Would love to win the discovery kit to experience all three combinations properly.
    I enjoyed reading the interview with Gerald Ghislain as well.
    Croatia, EU.

  • Lisa says:

    I am fascinated by the history of perfume ingredients, and this review sparks my interest in olibanum even more. I would love to try the trio of scents to discover how this perfumer has brought this ingredient to life.

  • cnii says:

    I love resins, and I appreciate that this brand is environmentally conscious. I would absolutely love to try the discovery set: Olibanum Iris sounds especially good, as I adore both orris and jasmine. Thanks for this lovely giveaway!
    I’m in the US.

  • hippononamus says:

    I love the sound of a resinous woody base in Olibanum Sacra and so I’d g for the 50ml of that if I won. I’m in the US.

  • Cuttyj77 says:

    I love Olibanum. It’s easily one of my favorite notes (Profumum Roma Olibanum is one of my favorite fragrances). I like the sustainably and leaving little of a carbon footprint. I also like the idea of getting back to basics and putting all focus on the fragrance itself. I enjoy beautiful bottles, but I buy fragrance for the scent, and how it stirs memories and emotions within me. The juice within the bottle is most important to me.
    I would choose the (3) 12 ml samples.
    Thank you for the draw!! US.

  • Torax says:

    Great and interesting review by the one and only Nicoleta.
    I love the simplicity of the brand and how bold the perfume artist was to create a brand based on a fragrance note, just amazing.
    Would love to win the Olibanaum Sacra because it started all and seems so much interesting to me.
    USA here.

  • Bassey says:

    I didn’t know Gerald Ghislain was involved in creating the Olibanum brand. “Olibanum explored and magnified with the use of other ingredients.” I like the fact that these fragrances are great for layering and will layer to become unique combinations.
    If I win, I would love the 3X12 ml composition set of Olibanum sacra, vanilla & iris.
    Greetings from Maryland, US.

  • KrystalNicole says:

    What sparked my interest first off was the lovely notes in the title of this post Olibanum Iris, Vanille and Sacra. This imediatly drew me in as a lover of all these. Once i started reading i was excited to learn about Gerald and the fact that he created Histoires de Parfums aas well as the brand Olibanum because i also love Histories de Parfums.

    I think the ecologically conscious aspect of this brand is great, and exploring one particular ingredient in depth is also a cool concept.

    Thanks you to Cafleurebon and Olibanum for this great draw. Happy Holidays!

    I would choose the 3 x 12 ml composition set of Olibanum Sacra, Vanilla and Iris if i were to win this draw.
    Im in North Carolina, USA.

  • PetaloDiCera says:

    I love this Nicoleta’s review because she let the notes and the concept “sing” in the same way Gérald Ghislain does with the idea and the material of this fragrances.
    Nicoleta’s enthusiasm sparks my interest in experimenting with layering! Can’t wait to try!
    I would love to play with the trio discovery kit.
    Smiles fro Italy, EU.

  • mmerline says:

    I’m not familiar with Gerald Ghislain’s work, so this was an interesting and informative review. I like the idea of stripping a line of perfumes down to its essence, especially if you can do so with reduced environmental impact, which Olibanum strives to do. The discovery kit concept is also quite different than most brands’ take; encouraging layering feels like a bold way to introduce customers to your line. Of the three, Olibanum Sacra speaks to me, but I’m curious about how they all layer and interact. Thanks for the coverage, Nicoleta.

    I’m in the midwest, USA. Should I win, I’d pick the 50 ml bottle of Olibanaum Sacra. Thanks!

  • Southirina says:

    I don’t know where to start 🙂
    Frankincense imo is the goddess of all scents. Besides its ability to connect sacred and profane, we can’t deny the attraction towards it since it’s written in our DNA.
    Gérald Ghislain went primal with Olibanum. After all the stories and masterpieces, It was perfect moment for Olibanum.
    I would absolutely love to win Olibanum Sacra
    Hugs from Romania

  • Leslie says:

    I love Histoires de Parfums and own 1969 and Ambre 114. Olibanum sounds like such a different concept and so affordable. My favorite part is that you can mix and match them. I would like the 3×12 ml kit
    I live in the EU

  • Regis Monkton says:

    I would like to win a bottle of Olibanum “Sacra”. I love olibanum: it’s one of my favorite ingredients used in perfumery. I appreciate learning about the chemistry which is used by this company in order to make their products high-quality. I live in the U.S.A.

  • wallygator88 says:

    THank you for the great review Nicoleta.

    Having grown up in that part of the world where frankinsence is cultivated and used so frequently, I absolutely adore the smell of burning frankinscence. It has so many facets – citrusy, medicinal, terpenic, smoky, resinuous and meditative

    I absolutely love the idea behind this brand- using differently colored olfactive lenses to look at the same material. The bottles and the labels are quite beautiful.

    I would love to win the 3x12ml composition set.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • wandering_nose says:

    I so appreciate the opportunity to learn about the thinking and philosophy behind the brand of Olibanum! It was a brave move from Mr Ghislain. Nicoleta’s honest account of her joyful adventure with mixing and layering the scents from her sample kit is so delightfully refreshing. My pick of the three would be Olibanum Vanille. Thank you from the EU

  • Michael Prince says:

    I loved Nicoleta’s review Gérald Ghislain’s line of Olibanum based fragrances. I loved learning about the Olibanum CO2 extraction process. I love the note of resinous Olibanum in perfumery and if I win the giveaway I would pick Olibanum Sacra. I am from the USA.

  • Nom de Guerre says:

    All three fragrances sound interesting and the fact that they are created by Gérald Ghislain has my interest piqued. I’d love to own the trio set. Greetings from Riga, Latvia.

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Great review Nicoleta! What sparks my interest based on Nicoleta’s review is learning that this stripped down brand is something completely different from what Gerald Ghislain, creator of Histoires de Parfums, has ever done before. I’m a big fan of Histoires de Parfums and am very intrigued by a new venture of the same perfumer, particularly one that is such a vast departure from his norm. I can’t wait to try it! If I were to win I would pick the the 3 x 12 ml composition set. I live in the US.