Bois Sikar
Atelier Des Ors (2018)

Not for the meek. This is up there with the most true to life woodsmoke fragrances I've tried - which makes it divisive by nature. I can't fault anyone who thinks it smells like bacon or barbecue sauce. It does smell of hickory smoke after all. But if you find that smell intriguing, or comforting, as I do, you'll find the piercing smoke of the opening eventually gives way to a beautiful, dark blend of heady smoke, dry woods, tobacco, nutmeg, and salty vetiver. According to the brand it's meant to evoke peated scotch and thick cigar smoke, and if you squint the imagery fits. But that's not where my head goes first. To my nose it feels more primal, less of a smoky back room and more of an ageworn smokehouse, or the blackened ruins of one. Perhaps it's closer to the way D.S. & Durga bills Mississippi Medicine as the scent of a ritualistic southern death cult; Mississippi Medicine is wonderful in its own right, but quite a bit gentler than all that; Bois Sikar takes that theme and runs with it, headfirst into the smoke and shadow.

Smoke, cedar, and tobacco. Well blended. Elegant, sophisticated, seductive...
A dry smoky scent.

Deep and dark.
The dry down is more woody spicy but still smoky.
Solid performance

Smokey, woody leather. Beautiful!

But not something to wear for others, this one I will cherish while working from home, or enjoying coffee while watching the sunrise as my nostrils are titalated.

For me, it may be FBW. I'll try some other smokey leathers first, but this is very nice!

Terrible smoke

Smells exactly like barbecue sauce.

Atelier Des Ors does Naomi Goodsir's Bois d'Ascese, this time with extra burned rubber and crispy bacon for double the price. You know you're in trouble when you start copying Bertrand Duchaufour's niche clichès. Where is the pyramid listing for incense???