Chanel Sycomore Vs Lalique Encre Noire Episode # 180

[@kunjamohanborpatragohain1403]

I like that "FELLAS" at the start of your videos

[@ACSmellsGood]

thank you my friend :)

[@Christian-rt3kg]

Wow, I am floored at how well your reviews are! You truly are becoming my favorite reviewer in the fragrance community! I am learning so much with each video I watch of yours! Thank you for taking the time to put out these spectacular reviews! Cheers!

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thank you Christian, I am delighted you are enjoying my channel buddy, truly appreciate your comment and your support :)

[@sugarshamal]

@@ACSmellsGood hi please could you help me find an alternative as close as possible fragrance to Armani code sport please?

[@mattburgess3307]

Encre Noire makes me think of finding an old, centuries-abandoned church in the middle of a dark forest in the rain. The church isn't in ruins, but it has been taken over by the ivy and funghi of the woods. You open the door to a place lost in time. The books are still there. The candles have long since burnt to the ground. The wood is perfectly preserved. The vines twist their way through the pews and up the altars. The air is held in suspension. Maybe the churchgoers themselves are still there, aching to speak just one last time, to tell you what happened that fateful night when the church closed its doors forever.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Wow! that was some imagery mate 👌 enjoyed !

[@wayne2150]

That was great! You should be a Dungeon Master in a Dungeons & Dragons game.

[@manuel_winde]

You should write perfume adverts. Better than a horse merging with Adam Driver in the sea after running round a city or Johnny Depp playing guitar with a wolf anyway 😂😂😂

[@MaadKidGoodCity]

So a friend of mine passed me a Sycomore tester and I instantly fell in love with it. I already owned the Lalique Encre Noire, which is similar but not even close to the diversity of the well balanced Sycomore. I recently was in a Chanel Boutique and had to try it again, and it was so warm and intense on my skin. Even on the next day it was present on my skin. I quite like how it's evolving on skin. But I passed at the price, 75ml for 200$ is quite heavy. So I ordered the Lalique Encre Noire a l'extreme, which seems to be the equivalent to Chanels Sycomore. I was quite upset how it evolved on my skin, after 1 hour almost all of the smell was gone. I reapplied some and have to test it in a few days again when I cured my cold. But it's completly different on my skin. The Chanel is so much brighter and more present, I can smell tobacco and got some leather notes (which aren't listed but for me it smells like a good pair of leather shoes). Compared to the Sycomore the Lalique Encre Noire a l'extreme is really weak in projection and longevity, the Encre Noire is better but smells different. So I tink I have to buy the expensive Chanel!

[@somedude4652]

Performance on Sycamore EDP seems weak, i hear good things about the EDT though, it's a shame this is EOL. Encre Noire sounds interesting, I layer the al' extreme version with guerlain's vetiver. The mixture brings some brightness on cold Melbourne winter day..

[@ACSmellsGood]

Both the EDp and the EDT performed the same on me, roughly 7-8 hours.

[@rockscent4537]

the more you said beautiful to chanel the more i was drawn towards buying it, i was darn lucky enough to by some 20/ 25 ml left in 200ml bottle. im little surprised that vetiver in sycomore has striking resemblance to TF grey vetiver which very few have noticed??

[@thomassmith5639]

You are charisma personified!

[@ACSmellsGood]

thank you, very kind of you :).

[@johnychen8143]

I agree that Sycomore is more refined than Encre noir. Wonderwood from Comme de Garcons is very similar to both Encre and Sycomore but has a soft and very pleasant note of incense and cypress.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thanks for the info Johny, I have never smelled Wonderwood but I have heard that and Blackpepper are great scents.

[@JulAlxAU]

Lalique gives me a very bad headache and makes me nauseous. However, I love the scent so much. Do you think Sycomore might be the same?

[@mlunaID]

Fantastic walkthrough/comparison. Thank you for the thoughtful explanation.

[@millenialbroadcast]

Nice comparison

[@ACSmellsGood]

thank you :)

[@mikerobinson7694]

Great comparison AC. Not sampled Sycamore, but I have Encre Noire and love it. For me it is a damp, dark day fragrance, so I'd agree, Spring or Autumn in these conditions. Very gothic and it so reminds me of the inky smell of the comic books I used to read as a boy. 🙂

[@ACSmellsGood]

Hahah, yes, I can relate to the comic book analogy Mike. Sycomore is a top notch scent mate, if you ever get a chance to go to Selfridges in London do go over to the Chanel Shop, they will be very happy to show you around, and while you are there do sample the other greats like Cuir De Russie, Coromandel etc :)

[@mikerobinson7694]

@@ACSmellsGood Super, thanks AC! I shall put a trip to Selfridges on my to-do list. Thanks matey! 👍😁

[@ivanenrile]

Oh wow! Inky comic book smell! Yes that's how I would describe it. Wearing it now and the dry down is just that!

[@scentrailstation1780]

To me Every Storm a Serenade (IA) is very close to Encre Noire

[@ACSmellsGood]

i see, never smelled it.

[@TheTanmoyghosh50]

Hi AC sir, hope you are doing great. I have got myself a Cypress essential oil and blown away by the structure (to me it's wet woody , mossy spice forest but not sharp greenish). Sir if possible can you let me know your thoughts on Cypress as a note and also your take on few Cypress note in fragrances (e.g: Encre Noir , Sycomore , Italian Cypress , Gucci Pour Homme , Eau des Baux etc) I have dabbed Cypress with Orange and it was fabulous on skin :)

[@ACSmellsGood]

Cyprus, is a great note Tanmoy and I quite like it myself. Orange and Cyprus go so well. I might do a top 10 cypress based list soon mate.

[@jimmy5634]

Excellent review. You are very descriptive. I subscribed. Would love to hear you review L’eau D’Issey Pour Homme and in particular what season you would recommend it to be worn. Most people consider it a summer fragrance but I think it works better in the cooler times like spring and fall.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thank you jimmy. I agree Leau D issey has a note of Cyprus hence its great in coolish weather :) Much appreciate your sub :)

[@247snob6]

I'm DESPERATE to get one of these Chanel's.i want one just to live in it....I've yet to find one that lasts. Got a sample of this. Probably my favorite. But it doesn't last on me at all. (No idea how everyone keeps fawning over me.) heartbreaking.

[@DixieLiving]

AC! Good Morning!☕️ What another wonderful video. You are on your game - as usual. Thought the rugby comparison to Encre Noir was on point! Nathalie Lawson is a very special perfumer. Her gifts have brought me tremendous joy as do your videos! Picked up Chanel Platinum Egoiste this week to complete my Chanel men's line. Chanel just serves me well. We are well into the 90's now so its heating up in Atlanta! Lalique Pour Homme this morning. (I must be on your wave length). Keep prospering my friend!

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thank you Lamar, your comments are always uplifting mate :) You know I have never smelled Platinum Egoiste, so I have to sample that mate:). I am glad you are enjoying Lalique Pour Homme mate, that scent has a special place in my heart.

[@jean-luc6158]

Outstanding comparison. I have tried Sycomore EDP. For some reason one day they gave me about 14 samples of this when it was first released in Saks NYC- I couldn’t believe they were so generous. That has never happened before. (They also gave me about as many Coromandel) I have never tried Encre Noire. My question is: How would you compare Guerlain Vetiver to Sycomore and EN in terms of projection and sillage.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Hi Jean - Luc, great question. Guerlain vetiver is quite different as the vetiver note there is just so beautiful and lively green, Chanel is milky green and a bit airy , EN is the same as Chanel but is darker scent and quite herbal because of that Cypress. I have reviewed Guerlain vetiver you can check that out.

[@michaelmilner2090]

Oh man I just recently acquired a Sycomore sample (vintage edt, I hope) and . . . Wow. Since I have Encre Noire A L'Extreme, I probably will wait on smelling original, but will be on lookout for deal on Sycomore. Absolutely wonderful woody-vetiver with some light creaminess, other notes I love appearing on and off: cypress, tobacco, juniper & spices - just as described. Fantastic performance. Great scent descriptions, presentation as usual. Speaking of vetiver, purchasing the Guerlain version after sampling shortly (figured I'd mention because your recent review helped inspire the sample). Cheers brother.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Great stuff Michael, I am glad you are going for both Sycomore and Guerlain vetiver mate, both are amazing scents. Sycomore doesn't get a lot of talk in recent times but I tell you a few years ago this was the most talked about vetiver fragrance in the fragcom, but the reformulation hasn't helped matters. I hope you have sampled the vintage EDT because that is very nice.

[@gabrielgarcia7561]

Hi ac Great comparison between the two, and you know vetiver quite well, I would like to see a review of the lalique al extreme

[@ACSmellsGood]

I have reviewed it Gabriel, just look for it in videos list.

[@gabrielgarcia7561]

@@ACSmellsGood thank you!! 💯

[@nicolasfarah2092]

Always great content and great comparisons

[@schari30]

I have Sycamore and I have two versions of Encre Noir. Yes, there is a resemblance and, yes, I prefer Sycamore; but I have a deep respect for Encre Noir; for one: it was a bold statement in perfumery when it was released, two years prior to Sycamore...so it's definitely not cloning Chanel, as you stated...and it is still quite relevant today. I maybe in the minority, but I find it more unique and interesting than Sycamore.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thanks for watching, and yeah somehow there are two exclusifs from Chanel that have completely lost their sheen as far as I am concerned. One is Sycomore and the other is Cuir de Russie , somehow it doesn't smell like an expensive Niche should smell. BTW Bentley Wild Vetiver is quite a nice one if you go sampling.

[@schari30]

@@ACSmellsGood Honestly, thank you. I have acquired some outstanding fragrances based on your, astute, assessment of them. I own most of the Rasasi's you have recommended and they are, at the very least, worth whatever I paid for them. I find most of Chanel's Exclusif line quite lack lustre. I think that they are relying on their history as a old house to sell fragrances that doesn't reflect the price being asked for them. I only ever wear Sycamore if I layer it with Coromandel...which is quite an expensive combo. I have lived and learned long enough to realize that luxury and quality doesn't always equate to a hefty price tag. Thanks for the recommendation, I will definitely check it out. Thank you.

[@ACSmellsGood]

@@schari30 Thank you. I am very pleased to hear that I have helped a little bit with your fragrance hobby. I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Chanel Exclusifs and couldn't be more timely as I am currently summarizing my mental notes on Le Lion. Full review ( and an honest one) coming soon.

[@amnaaziz3840]

Dear AC, Great review thanks for doing a comparison video I appreciate your thoughts as always. I hope you enjoy the cricket world cup. Cheers

[@ACSmellsGood]

Hi Amna, thanks a lot, I am glad you are enjoying the reviews. You know, I cant get any tickets 😢, but since I play myself I think I am going to enjoy the world cup on Telly,probably the best as the ticket prices are so high one could save and buy a house instead 😂

[@mkp189]

What's your opinion on these when you compare them to ruh khus for the vetiver lover? Cheers

[@ACSmellsGood]

Great question, Ruh Khus is on a different level, you won't need any fragrance when you put Ruh Khus on :)

[@omegarad123]

You are my favorite fragrance reviewer...your reviews always put me in a relaxed mood even if I've had a bad day your awesome....and this scent reminds me of the fragrance a vampire would wear lol

[@ACSmellsGood]

Awesome! great to hear that William and I am pleased to hear you enjoy my reviews :)

[@jasonmordecai8212]

Where did you get your EDT sample AC? I have not long come across sycamore and boy it’s amazing but I’m eager on trying the EDT vintage version...

[@ACSmellsGood]

very hard to find the EDT sample mate, I got it off ebay.

[@jamesbroadfoot5269]

Great review, AC- Do you think Encre Noir is closer to Sycamore than Encre Noire a L'extreme? I own the L'extreme and I bought it because it was said to be very similar to Sycamore (which I have a sample of)... I find it similar and for the money, it 's a no brainer!

[@ACSmellsGood]

I think EN Sport is also similar to Sycomore, they all share the same vetiver. Well Al Extreme is my favorite too:). Sycomore is the brightest of them all and better quality ofcourse.

[@Ratz7]

Excellent detailed review!

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thank you Ratul :)

[@somedude4652]

Great review as always. Sycomore costs a pretty penny for a cologne..

[@ACSmellsGood]

Yeah Sycomore is quite expensive :)

[@TrephineArtist]

Encre Noire isn't cheap everywhere. In fact Notino France= 89 euros! It's a quality fragrance which I find easy to wear, except in warm weather.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Oh! I am totally surprised by the price you quote, man its absolutely cheap here.

[@TrephineArtist]

@@ACSmellsGood Yes sometime last year Notino increased their prices for Lalique on the French site, I thought it was a joke at first so questioned them about it and they just said they were changing their pricing policy (which seemed obvious!) for Lalique, Many other sellers here (but not all) have fairly high prices for Lalique too. Fortunately I got my EN from a seller based abroad for around 30 euros.

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thats weird, Lalique is so reasonably priced here, its unbelievable.

[@johnpeterson6946]

Sycomore EDP is still mysterious and elegant....only the way Chanel can do it. Sure its not the EDT but nonetheless, elegant.

[@staticcentrehalf7166]

Played rugby for 25 years in Cornwall. Don't ever remember getting covered in dust.

[@wardel3omr455]

Sycomore vs Sultan vetiver? Please

[@ACSmellsGood]

Very different fragrances mate.

[@mottifarchi310]

Which flanker from the Ancre-Noir line bares the strongest similarity to Chanel's Sycomore? TNX :-)

[@julioruata2213]

The good stuff cost money. I have Lalique Encre Noire and is pretty strong but cheaper than the Chanel. Good review

[@ACSmellsGood]

Absolutely Julio, quality costs money.

[@julioruata2213]

Smells Good 100% agree

[@prototp1]

😀 VETIVER is magical stuff, I'm trying so many vetiver lately. Great review and I'll try sycomore soon

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thank you Rohit, I am eagerly waiting to try Ruh Khus, that would be a great comparison to do.

[@prototp1]

@@ACSmellsGood sooner

[@usefulknowledge6074]

How do these compare to Terre d'Hermes?

[@ACSmellsGood]

TdH is very different, although looking at the notes may suggest some likeness.

[@usefulknowledge6074]

@@ACSmellsGood Thanks for the reply. The reason I asked the question is because you mentioned that Encre Noire in some instances smells like "diesel". I own a bottle of Terre d'Hermes EDP and I don't like it that much because it smells like "diesel" to me.

[@raducaseti4013]

I just subscribe

[@ACSmellsGood]

Thank you Radu, most appreciate your subscription mate :)

[@beavisbonce]

Wait……..I’m still imagining rugby players………

[@paulo-magum3621]

Loewe 7 is better than both; much better; more magical, more intense; and more happy; try it

[@ACSmellsGood]

Loewe 7 has many fragrances, which one did you mean?

[@pejmansehatpour7838]

Excellent review. Thanks for the comparison.