Description
The first essence conceived by UNUM wants to celebrate the Atelier where Lavs was born. Lavs means excellence, a factory where arts and ideas together generate spirituality , beauty and mysticism.
LAVS, extrait de parfum is an hymn to the Spirit: UNUM celebrates it with the Bois de Rose, whose symbology take us back to protection, harmony and balance.
The rosewood becomes custody of the senses, a protecting and accompanying energy. From this dark background, a mystic symphony of Oak Moss, Amber, and Tonka Bean, opens up. This last spice, from Columbia, requires one year drying and emanates herbs, vanilla, tobacco, caramel, honey because of his main essence named Coumarin.
It also contain cloves flavor. Tonka Bean in South America is considered as a lucky charm. An other fundamental ingredient of LAVS is Opponax, a sort of sweet myrrh , a plant that produces a purifying golden resin. Opponax comes from Somalia, Egyptians used it for fumigations and to flavor wines.
Passing by Ambra, Lavs moves us with Elemi’s musics, an oleoresin obtained by engraving, Elemi is very aromatic and spicy. In the ancient time this oil has been used by Arabic and Turks. His balancing qualities lead us to a deep peace feelings,and open us to an unique mystic experience.
Deep inside LAVS we also find cloves, coriander and labdanum notes. Labdanum, with the heat of the sun, exudes from Citrus Ladanifer bushes in the area western Mediterranean area. Egyptians used Labdanum as a component of their holy incense and it seems that the fake beards of the Pharaohs were made by goat hair soaked in this kind of resin. Labdanum is also called Gilead in the Holy Bible. Nowadays Labdanum is harvest in Crete with a special tool.
This parfume is very complex, amber, antique, the smell of an old trunk full of dusty clothes, but its nuances can be close to the leather, to the sweet and honeyed, woody, smoked musk.
Concerning the head notes, Lavs prefers three essences: the precious, mild, sensual Jasmine, the tropical Cardamom, and the evocative, intense Black Pepper, the spices king since ever. Around the Black Pepper the whole Lavs symphony play and harmonize.
Lavs was launched in 2014.
ReinSaa21 – :
You must live with LAVS، Then you will fall in love with it little by little.
باید با لاوز زندگی کنید تا ذره ذره عاشقش شويد.
Xeroxhbguc – :
I’m in agreement with the review by kirrineyears- the beginning of this is absolutely Vicks VapoRub. I sprayed this on and it immediately felt like a rush of cold air. There was an inexplicable menthol feeling, very medicinal in nature. That might suit some people, but it is definitely not what I was looking for. The drydown is nice, reminiscent of CdG Avignon as many have said, but that (for me) doesn’t justify the icy, herbal opening. Objectively a good scent I’m sure, but I couldn’t vibe with this one.
nickgenius – :
I seem to be getting a very ‘Vicks VapoRub’-like scent for the first 30 minutes. On my skin it doesn’t become pleasant until dry down (1 hour) where some softer incense and woods come through with some yummy spices – but by now it’s a skin scent. It could be the Elemi that doesn’t agree with me, I haven’t been able to enjoy it in any perfumes unlike Olibanum/Labdanum which I love. A lot of others seem to love this – happy for you! For me it’s a no.
saulriets6 – :
Lovely dry herbal/woody fragrance. Very soft and clean on my skin, definitely unisex. Cool without being aloof, this could easily worn any day, all day.
zeka327 – :
Austere, almost stern, aloof, cool, highly spiritual incense with a sharply peppery kick at first. Beautifully serene and spare – its components are so nuanced and well-shaded that although it might look like a knockout bomb of rich aromatics, it never gets overwhelming or heady – there’s an infinite space for meditation built right into the middle of it. It’s dry and spicy and somehow intelligent. It’s full of all the things I love, done with startling authority. A perfume to contemplate on and appreciate in the moment, for sure.
And yet … this was on my want list for ages, but after trying it I don’t want an FB after all. Because as soaringly lovely as it is, it’s not in another league altogether from other cheaper incenses I have or still want ( Casbah, Avignon, even CDG Black etc) and the longevity and sillage are really not exceptional. And Lavs is extremely expensive and only sold in 100ml bottles, which is just too rich for my blood given the performance. On me, skin scent only by 2h in; still detectable up to 8h in, but only just, and only by really burying my nose in my wrist.
So: was expecting an ecstatic revelation with trumpets and angels singing; instead got just a fleeting sniff of the divine. A must-try for all incense-heads, though.
dey18 – :
I love incense perfumes, and this one is the stuff of past and present popes! Filippo Sorcinelli, the founder of Unum, has made vestments for the popes. These Vatican ceremonial robes were scented with Lavs – Laboratorio Vesti Sacri ambient spray- before being worn by the pontiffs in public creating a sacred air. A testament to the celestial aroma of the frankincense!
An idealized scent, clear and haunting – exactly what you dream of when you think of incense. Good sillage, it floats around you, like smoke from a holy thurible. Long lasting, purified by clean spices, Lavs is mystical incense perfume art. I’ll be in good company wearing it!
nik1979 – :
Being an enthusiast of incense in grains, I have some declensions in perfume with Passage d’Enfer, Bois d’Encens and now Lavs.
The outfit is excellent, it is not a wake scent, I do not think that the incense is willing to that, but it is rather confidential, and it accompanies you in your travels.
The ultra-simple black cardboard box is entirely consistent with the lens of its creator, and you also have a second cap, smaller than you can place at the top of the one that’s more imposing and square.
To book only to the incense lovers.
Dianor – :
Got a decant from a dear perfume pal, and I am so grateful that she introduced me to this indulgent incense fragrance. At first I get a ton of bright, sharp elemi (which is not frankincense, but it’s in the same family) combined with woods and aromatic dried coriander. Almost seems pine-y in a way because it has a green-ness about it. An elemi dream, for those who love the resin like I do. As it dries down I get some of the spice–cardamom and clove, but its beautifully blended. I also start to pick up some jasmine, but the fragrance remains dominated by balsams. The base is smoother, muskier, less intense elemi.
Lavs makes me feel like I’m in an ancient church. Not a Catholic one. I grew up Catholic, and this does not smell like frankincense, which is a really good thing, as I could never quite get on with perfumes like Full Incense or (less so) Cardinale because they reminded me too much of church. I’m not sure what other religion this could be part of, but it just smells really ancient yet also deeply connected to nature. Had to buy it, it’s definitely in my Top 10 of all time.
МалышШок – :
A very full frankincense fragrance, with accents of pine, black pepper, coriander, cardamon, amber, and cedar. On a scale from chilly and stony to warm and oriental, this leans more towards the latter, but is still quite transparent top to bottom. A mid-point between Avignon and Sahara Noir, in terms of comparing Lavs other incense fragrances.
All in all, very well-composed and very wearable.
(Note: this review is for the current formula. I am aware this fragrance has changed from its first version.)
-PUPSIK- – :
great classic church incense. if it was stronger it had 10/10. for the smell 10 /10 for the performance 8/10
tot 8,5/10 really churchy incense.
Poobolvejed – :
Everytime I find a fragrance that features frankincense with all of it’s lemony/smokey beauty, I think I have to buy it. That is until I bought Soivohle Frankincense Body Oil for like 25$ and can smell this note until the cows come home and even mix it, on my skin, into perfumes I already own to make them suddenly come to life again with more church incense. Lavs is a great example of money I am glad I didn’t spend on another frankincense perfume because, beyond my love for that single note, it just doesn’t smell that good. I get alot of alcohol and astringent, synthetic-smelling notes.
moxie222 – :
This has so much LIFE to it. And like life- it’s complex!
Possibly the best “incense” fragrance on the market. Just hard to find and expensive.
aamonclerjun – :
A brooding balsamic incense based scent that evokes the imagery of churches. It develops beautifully and has an understated elegance about it. It takes a while getting used to and grows on you. Initially it may seem underwhelming but it has a quiet mystical charm about it that shines through with repeated use.
natashka – :
Ohhh my kinda scent. Balsamic, spicy, resinous, smells like an old rustic woody church. Just my type!
Mesjy612Bessinepome – :
Wow! The most incense I have so far sniffed in a fragrance. I’m suddenly transported to a Roman Catholic or Russian Orthodox Church. I was bit concerned that this was just going to be about incense. Elemi, clove, black pepper and oppopanax must be the accord to make power incense. I think it’s a touch too heavy on the pepper at the start but it settles quickly.
Thankfully the accord does ease up a bit and then the warm resins and spices get much more of a look in. I don’t find it very sweet but more warm from the labdanum and amber. I wasnt sure when I first tried it but it has really grown on me and now its a love. A totally unisex beauty.
Amazing silage and longevity.
komrat99.juk – :
This is THE incense fragrance to own, its spiritual, moving and a very well crafted deep fragrance, it’s the real deal. THE governor of any incense, frankincense fragrances I’ve tried and loved. Believe the hype, it’s all true and more.
technics – :
Wow! Incredible!! To say the least. Profound. Very very deeply spiritual. Moving and mysterious. Fantastic quality. Awesome.
Fewerol – :
It is dark,bitter and very rich.It is the best fragrance for who that is introverted and has a heroic soul.very beauteous. 9.5/10
ht72 – :
Lavs is a great spicy, churchy scent, darker and more serious than Avignon and Cardinal, with a burst of ashy smoke reminiscent of both incense and extinguished candles — more like some remnant from a smoky source lingering on your clothes than burning embers. It is much more resinous than the other fragrances I mentioned, without the laundered freshness or florals and, thankfully, lacking the synthetic mustiness I get from CdG.
It seems more natural, although there is a metallic ring to it that lingers. The initial blast of smoke can be a bit off-putting for some, but this settles down. After 5 hours, the tonka surfaces to provide just a touch of sweetness as the pungency of the myrrh declines slightly, but I wouldn’t classify this as sweet in any way. Also, being an extrait, the stuff leaves an oily residue on the skin that lasts for hours.
If you like incense-based fragrances, definitely add this to your list and give it a try. Just keep in mind that you’re going to smell like the Pope. 9/10.
vita5691 – :
I am giving LAVS an 8 out of 10! It’s a nice frankincense perfume but not as strong as I thought it was going to be. It smells after awhile like jasmine on me. For the price I was wanting a really strong incense perfume and received a moderate floral scent.
Марина09 – :
Incense Frankenstein at MAX.
Clive Christian L Men
Bois d’Encens Giorgio Armani
Lubin Akkad
Got it?
beh358speagoessenda – :
Puro, lineare, autentico incenso da turibolo.
Liturgico, austero, tout court, monolitico.
In apertura qualche goccia di limone rinfresca la dolcezza della mirra ma in evoluzione sento solo incenso, continuo e uniforme.
Chi ama i profumi “incensati” lo apprezzerà enormemente.
Personalmente amo l’incenso quando esalta e rende fumose rose e tuberose.
Da solo, mi sembra nota profumata adatta a cerimonie, un po’ altera, malinconica, meditabonda, persino deprimente.
capyak_p_a – :
Holy Grail liturgical incense here the likes of Avignon or Cardinal, but that unfolds into a much deeper and multi-faceted experience. Opens with a burst of frankincense in all its soapy, dry, lemony facets. Then it slowly ignites, like the edges of this olfactory vision are burning. Behind the smoldering veil are floral and spice undertones (jasmine and cardamom?) that never overtake the liturgical foreground, just expand the horizon. Amazing.
lrh753Negeltzex – :
To cut to the chase: I’m not thrilled by Lavs.
Since its release, this scent has seen everything from serious praise to unenthused shrugs. In fact, when one of my friends who likes incense perfume as much as I do told me that he wasn’t impressed by it, I thought he must have received the wrong sample given the scent’s buzz up until that point. For me, I think it gets a few things right, but not enough to win me over.
First, I’d be more inclined to describe this as a green-leaning soapy-clean scent with a tinge of metallic rootiness before I’d even utter the word “incense.” It’s almost disinfectant-clean, but the cleanliness is closer to the laundry effect that you get from certain musks than the shampoo-in-the-mouth sensation that certain soapy accords can produce. It’s metallic and bitter, but it manages to stay on the right side of acerbic. What’s behind this is a specific aldehyde that’s used over and over in incense fragrances (as well as virtually all cleaning products that carry a “pine” smell). The aldehyde in question is immediately recognizable once you’ve smelled the note in isolation (C12 MNA), and it comes up in Avignon, Cardinal, La Liturgie des Heurres, Craft — pretty much every sharp, pine-ish incense fragrance on the market. It’s overdosed in Lavs to produce the clean effect as well as to bolster the green / metallic facets of the scent. But whereas an overdose of the stuff can easily send a fragrance into the realm of “pine car freshener,” here it’s mitigated by a wall of frankincense/olibanum’s distinct lemony facets and some elemi to further soften the sharp edges. Even though the dosage is far too high, the perfumer did a nice job of cushioning it within the scent.
For the first few hours (seriously), I find Lavs too sourly metallic to enjoy — almost to the point of scrubbing it off. But, over time, it softens up to reveal a nicely done, enduring amber-ish base that’s mainly ambrox-style chemicals merged with a smooth, anonymous resin accord. At this stage, Lavs is basically a good, durable incense without the harshness of the aldehyde. The cleanliness sticks around, and I can certainly see why this was used as a room / clothing spray in the past, but I don’t think it’s quite translated into a wearable incense perfume. There’s nothing smoky, nothing floral, nothing woody, nothing goth, nothing dramatic about it — it’s just a clean incense with a metallic tinge to it. The problem is that it takes hours to get to that point.
When compared to all the other fragrances in this style, it’s the cleanliness that makes it stand out. I wore Lavs for two consecutive days exclusively, and even in hot temperatures it kept its cool. And while there’s some depth to the scent, it’s got more than its fair share of the usual synthetic suspects in it as well. This isn’t a bad thing, but it really keeps the scent from elevating beyond Iso E / C12 hits like Bois d’Encens, Avignon, Cardinal etc. — it’s really just an elaboration of that same effect. In fact, Jo Malone (of all lines) just released a wholly unoriginal take on the same style, and I would harbor that it’s actually smoother than this. Also, I compared Lavs directly to Avignon (the touchstone, really), and I personally prefer Avignon simply because the patchouli note in that scent adds just the right earthy contrast to the bitterness of the C12. This has no contrast, and while it outperforms the CdG by a long stretch, I still prefer Avignon over this.
I don’t dislike Lavs, and I don’t think it’s a bad scent overall, but I think there are plenty of better options out there for incense fragrance (Sahara Noir, Avignon, Bois d’Encens etc). I’ve enjoyed spending time with this one and exploring its nuances, and I’m glad that I finally got to check it out, but ultimately it’s left me cold.
Ленар1988 – :
First off, I have major respect for alfarom and Colin Maillard as reviewers – they know their stuff. That said, I’m afraid I have to offer an opinion that conflicts with many of their comments on this powerhouse incense fragrance called LAVS.
I’m a big incense fan – I have several of the CdG incense frags (Avignon, Kyoto, 2 Man). I wish Gucci Pour Homme was still around, but I’ve found that I enjoy wearing Bond’s Silver Factory (now just called “Silver”) almost as much. So I’m sad to report that I really struggle with LAVS. It is a towering incense fragrance, to be sure. But whereas alfarom and Colin found a great deal of complexity and nuance, I simply find an extremely intense and astringent frankincense.
The opening of the fragrance is more than a bit scary, even to me – a lover of incense fragrances. The initial hit of incense is so severe as to be somewhat unpleasant. To me, it smells as though someone has doused a tire fire with turpentine. No kidding – this opening is so pungent that it’s sure to scare away anyone accustomed only to more traditional fragrances. This is all OK with me, except that the “opening” seems to last forever. I couldn’t find any real nuance in this creation until it had been on my skin for 3 – 4 hours. By that time, I was almost fatigued from having inhaled the single note of charred, tarry incense for such an extended period. After several hours of wear, I was able to discern a hint of cloves and a rich amber base lurking far below the surface. But I can find no jasmine, no rosewood, no tonka – nothing to provide any buffer at all to the ultra astringency that dominates this fragrance.
Bottom line – While I admire UNUM for creating an absolutely unbound incense fragrance, the result borders on unwearable. Even as a lover of incense, I feel that incense fragrances need some grounding in traditional perfumery to make them abundantly wearable. Avignon has that bit of vanilla, Kyoto has the beautiful cypress/cedar note, Silver Factory has the smooth amber base, etc. Wearing LAVS is almost like smearing a thick layer of incense ash all over your body. Only the most devoted incense followers should consider this one – it’s not for the faint of heart. I admire this fragrance far more than I actually like it. It would be nice to have a bottle around for reference purposes only, but the price tag on this one makes that unlikely.
sergsumy2 – :
I have to agree with Arabian Knight. I smell 100% frankincense. I’m sure there are other notes in there, but I can’t smell them. Luckily, I like frankincense.
boomer – :
As a lover of incense I went and bought this unsniffed. LAVS is a tremendously woody resinous incense perfume, quiet monothematic and understated. It has this ecclesiastical workshop vibe, a wax and ash one a smoky wood accord that vaguely resembles a church’s repository room. The incense feels stale and there is a herbal metallic undertone and a burned smell reminiscent of snuffed out candles and matches. At the beginning it feels harsh but winds down in a balsamic amber drydown with a floral airy aspect, which envelops the wearer beautifully. The settling takes time since this is an extrait de parfum. There everything feels more refined and properly in place. However the construction feels a tad primitive, a short of a rough draft, with all the angles unpolished. Furthermore, the metallic undertone, although fleeting is somehow annoying and the fragrance is a bit more aggressive than I would have normally liked. According to the background story I was expecting not only to experience THE meditative experience but more of a sacred awe. As it is, the fragrance has elements that I like but it neither strikes me as the best incense perfume around nor as the most complete and balanced composition.
zx1802 – :
The note list must be wrong! “Lavs” to my nose is 100% frankincense. Sharp, piney, lemony, herbal, sweet, smoky frankincense. I don’t smell much oppoponax here. Perhaps in the dry down, when the sweetness really takes over, it could be perceived as such, but to me it smells more like dill, not the honeyed molasses tones which I would associate with oppoponax oil. However, palisander does have a dill-like quality to me, so perhaps this would explain it?
I don’t get prominent labdanum either, a note which I am normally very sensitive too. It doesn’t have that tangy medicinal quality (thank god). As for jasmine, I can’t pick up on anything remotely floral, at any stage.
Regardless, I have to say that along with “Sahara Noir” this is probably the purest church incense I’ve ever experienced. It has an invigorating freshness, but unlike “Avignon” or “Cardinal”, it doesn’t have that transparent and synthetic ‘laundry’ type vibe. It feels so natural, as if you crushed the resin into powder and clapped it into the air.
Who knows? Maybe the notes are correct and I’ve been fooled by amazing blending, but one thing is for sure, if frankincense is what you seek, you can stop here.
4upa – :
What CDG’s Avignon might want to be when it grows up. I have Lavs on on hand and Avignon on the other. Avignon rather quickly becomes a (holy) ghost, a mere shadow compared to Lavs, which maintains a rich, fulsome 3D presence. For incense lovers Lavs is like dying and going to heaven, with a stopover at the Vatican for the funeral. Gorgeous.
chamich – :
Reading about this one makes me break out in goosebumps. I have to have a sample asap-a full bottle is too pricey. Thank Heavens for samples.
jedrass – :
This line is now at Twisted Lily in Brooklyn. I’ll be going to sample Lavs tomorrow for sure. Sounds real delicious.
Slautin – :
Hi Colin and Alfarom!
As always you write reviews that makes my heart sing and my nose ache with a longing to inhale….:-)
Dare I ask if you know what these golden drops will retail at? Will have to start saving up or sell some body parts on the black market!!
Cheers
Matz Ridderstrom
Stockholm
Sweden
Deroxjnduv – :
Disclaimer: The following review refers to the original Lavs with black / gold bottle (launched in 2015) as opposed to the plain black bottle re-launched in 2016,
Formerly a room spray used to scent the ecclesiastic garments that Sorcinelli’s atelier L.A.V.S tailored for both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis amongst several others. Now re-worked into an *extrait de parfum*, LAVS is hands down the definitive catholic liturgical incense. Forget Avignon, Cardinal, La Liturgie Des Heures and all the other similarly themed fragrances. Forget also the more *oriental* takes on the main theme such as Bois D’Encens, Sahara Noir and the plethora of others, LAVS is completely on another level. It’s the opulence of a mass in the Basilica Papale, it’s the whole ritual, the majesty of gold the smell of sacristy, the canonicals. It’s white smoke and resins galore, it’s deep and dark but never brooding or funereal…instead it’s introspective, meditative and comforting.
It’s not a secret I’m a frankincense freak but, honestly, LAVS is a concrete step forward in its genre and a very substantial one for countless reasons. For starters, it’s tremendously striking for its incredible evocative power. Its uniqueness, its ability to get so close to the main theme while skipping being too simplistically literal and, last but not least, the quality of the ingredients involved. Boatloads of resins that range from elemi to frankincense via labdanum, myrrh and opoponax concocted around what’s one of the best woody bases I’ve experienced since Bois D’Ascese. Cloves enhances a certain medicinal vibe before settling down and give birth to a clean undertone that gets more and more remarkable as the fragrance evolves into an endless, pure-incense driven drydown which also relies on the most solid woody-ambery (as opposed to *woodyamber*) foundation I’ve smelt in a while. Forget the usual cedarwood, forget the typical mono-dimensionality of most incense-soliflores, forget those exhausting woodyambers. LAVS is incredibly alive, vibrating and vivid as only this biblical resin can get. Addictive, introspective, dark and deep as well as spacious, airy and yes, even epic.
Saying this fragrance is compelling would honestly be reductive. My personal standout in this line and something I’ll never want to be without.
An instant classic.
Rating: 9.5/10