Frankincense and myrrh perfumes: 12 scents for those who love incense and smoky notes
Perfumes built around incense have a distinct character—calm, resinous and quietly powerful. Frankincense and myrrh, long used in rituals and ceremonies, remain central to perfumery for their depth and complexity. Frankincense adds a bright, smoky clarity, while myrrh brings warmth and balsamic richness. Together, they create a sense of balance that feels traditional and contemporary. Today, perfumers use these resins in a range of styles, from austere and mineral to soft and musky. Here are 12 fragrances that show how incense continues to shape the language of contemporary scent.
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Swiss Arabian Private Frankincense
A focused study of pure frankincense, this scent highlights the mineral, almost metallic brightness of the resin rather than dressing it up with spice or sweetness. It feels clean, dry and direct—closer to sun-warmed stone than smoke-filled air. The result is a clear, meditative fragrance that captures the essence of frankincense in its most unembellished form.
Officine Universelle Buly Eau Triple Myrrhe d'Érythrée
Presented in Officine Universelle Buly's water-based formula, this scent offers an understated approach to myrrh. The note emerges as balsamic and cool rather than heavy, supported by a slightly woody base. It wears close to the skin, more a personal veil than a statement, reflecting Buly’s historical and minimal aesthetic.
Amouage Gold Man
Created in 1983 by perfumer Guy Robert, this is one of the grand interpretations of frankincense. It combines florals—rose, jasmine, lily of the valley—with moss, civet and ambergris, giving it the density and formality typical of Amouage. The incense here is rounded and luminous, carrying an almost ceremonial tone.
Penhaligon’s Legacy of Petra
A more contemporary take on incense, Legacy of Petra layers its resinous base with warm spices and an ambery undertone. The frankincense appears diffused, softened by labdanum and vanilla, offering a polished rather than austere impression.
Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense
Here, the richness of myrrh meets the comfort of tonka bean. The composition moves from balsamic to creamy, creating a warmth that feels enveloping but never cloying. The scent is recognisably resinous but balanced by softness.
Maison Rebatchi Myrrhe & Musc
This fragrance pairs myrrh with white musk to create an almost meditative contrast between shadow and light. The musk tempers the darker resin, allowing a clarity that feels fresh rather than dense. It suits those who prefer incense notes without overt heaviness.
Acqua Colonia Myrrh & Kumquat
A bright, brisk interpretation that places myrrh against citrus. The resin’s depth is lifted by the tartness of kumquat, producing a tension between resin and zest. It’s more daytime than midnight mass, but still recognisably rooted in incense tradition.
Hermès Myrrh Églantine
Part of Hermès’s Hermessence collection, this fragrance blends myrrh with wild rose, resulting in a surprisingly floral take on the resin. The rose introduces a gentle freshness that contrasts with the warmth of the base, maintaining a sense of balance throughout its wear.
Tom Ford Myrrhe Mystère
A smooth, polished fragrance where myrrh is wrapped in creamy woods and amber. The texture is refined, with the note rendered soft rather than sharp. It carries the signature Tom Ford depth—resinous, warm and impeccably blended.
Le Labo Myrrhe 55
Le Labo’s Shanghai-exclusive fragrance treats myrrh as the central architecture, layered with patchouli and amber. The result is earthy yet luminous, modern yet anchored in tradition. It’s a structured composition that underscores the brand’s analytical style.
Van Cleef & Arpels Encens Précieux
True to its name, this scent highlights frankincense in its pure form. It’s cool, mineral and steady, with a clean transparency that avoids the heaviness of sweeter ambers. The result is contemplative, elegant in its simplicity.
Santa Maria Novella Ambra
From one of the world’s oldest apothecaries, Ambra carries a dry, resinous warmth reminiscent of centuries-old prayer halls. Frankincense and labdanum lend depth, while amber rounds the blend into a soft, lingering base that feels timeless.
These perfumes do not replicate the air of a church so much as they interpret it—each one a study in incense’s quiet power and the way frankincense and myrrh continue to shape the language of scent.
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