Opus XVI Timber is a woody, smoky, aromatic scent created for Men and Women in 2025 by perfumer Alexis Grugeon.
Review
This scent is both a complex and simple Woody fragrance. It starts off bright and crisp, like fresh cut timber, then transforms into something along the lines of the intensity of the inside of a wood-working shop, and then develops a slightly sweeter nuance. The sweetness is likely from a blend of Cardamom, Juniper, Pink Pepper and Cocoa. The scent continues to transform as more of the smoky nuances of the Frankincense and Palo Santo Wood unfold. The sweetness comes and goes….are you smelling Chocolate, or just the Chocolatey essence that Patchouli can bring to a scent? Quite likely it’s both, and it’s beautiful. Then more woodiness seeps in from Cypress and Cedarwood. It’s all a continuous changing cloud of intoxicating aromas. It almost makes me think of Hansel and Gretel standing just outside the witch’s house made of sweets, a lone curiosity in the middle of the woods; smoke flowing out of the fireplace, creating a gentle, yet sharp, warmth. BUT….the scent does not feel like a Woody Gourmand. There’s just a hint of sweetness that comes and goes. This scent intoxicates the senses, confusing them and intriguing them. While it is a very Woody scent, it is not too intense and could be an everyday scent. It can be worn to the office, for meetings, dressed up or down for casual or formal occasions, and is a great Fall pick. It might be a little too rich for the Summer weather, but otherwise could easily be a year round scent. It has fantastic performance, and is a great scent whether you like something complex or easy to wear. It has been compared to Pino Silvestre, Dior Sauvage Elixir, and a few Tom Ford fragrances. TRY THIS SAMPLE AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Inspiration
Opus XVI is inspired by Woods and all of the facets the different varieties can have. It is a scent that is bold and vast, with a little intensity, but remains approachable and wearable.
Notes
This scent opens with a crisp woody sharpness from the Cypress. Then there comes a slight sweet earthiness from a blend of Cardamom, Juniper, Pink Pepper, and Lavandin, which is fleetingly Fougere or Marine-like. Cocoa comes in shortly after, just barely adding a Gourmand-like sweetness that quickly fades. Fir Balsam blends with Frankincense and Palo Santo Wood that creates a slightly sharp Incensy vibe, and brings a woody boost. It is crisp and fresh, in a way, but also smoky and inviting. At this point the Cocoa comes back in, briefly adding its Chocolatey essence. Patchouli blends well with the Cocoa, releasing its own Chocolatey nuance with an earthy twist. Vanilla briefly boosts this earthy Chocolatey essence before the Woody essence comes back with the base. Sandalwood keeps the sweetness going for a little longer, as well as boosting the Cedarwood note that follows. It is a chaotic blend of sweetness, Chocolate, Incense and Woods that is continuously flowing and changing.
Top Notes: Cypress, Cardamom, Juniper, Pink Pepper, Cocoa
Heart Notes: Lavandin, Fir Balsam, Hojari Frankincense
Base Notes: Palo Santo, Vanilla Bourbon, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Patchouli
