The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Benedictus was created by Frederick Hass for Pope Benedict XVI to mark the 60th anniversary of his ordination in 1951. The fragrance was released in 2011 by Excelsis, an American indie perfume house from California. Its inspiration was personal and ceremonial, built around three materials chosen for their associations: linden blossom from the pope's native Germany, frankincense linked to the Holy Land, and bergamot from Italy, where the pope resides. That gives the scent a quietly geographic identity, joining northern floral softness, resinous incense, and polished citrus in a dignified portrait rather than a loud statement. On skin, bergamot lends brightness and clarity at first, while frankincense introduces a controlled smoky quality.
What makes Benedictus interesting is the way its three defining notes refuse to sit in their expected places. Linden blossom brings a gentle yellow-floral quality, bergamot brings light and a faint astringency, and frankincense supplies a dry, smoky sacred note. Musk softens the edges without turning the composition heavy. The result is a fragrance built around contrast, floral against resin and citrus against balsamic warmth.
The evolution
Benedictus begins with a clean, almost polished impression: bergamot and citrus catch the light, while frankincense gives the opening a disciplined smoky edge. As the scent settles, linden blossom becomes more apparent, bringing a soft yellow-floral hush that makes the incense feel less severe. Musk then pulls the composition inward, changing the air from ceremonial to personal. The later drydown rests close to skin with balsamic warmth and the rounded depth of the overall amber accord. Bergamot gradually recedes as the floral and resinous notes become more prominent, leaving a smoother, more intimate trail. The fragrance wears with moderate presence and composure: noticeable in its opening brightness, gently defined through the middle, and more subdued once the balsamic warmth settles into the final impression. Its lasting effect is neat and quietly expressive rather than room-filling.
Cultural impact
Benediscus carries the ceremonial associations of Pope Benedict XVI while expressing them through a restrained composition of bergamot, frankincense, and linden blossom. The name gives the fragrance a formal register, but its wear is intimate: bright citrus opens the composition, resinous incense gives it depth, and soft floral notes temper the smoke. Musk brings the scent closer to the skin, while balsamic warmth and the overall amber accord create a quiet finish.
The House
ExcelsisExcelsis is a small American perfume house founded by Frederick Hass in California. Its catalogue is compact and built around expressive fragrances with literary, historical, and place-based titles, including Benedictus, The Pope's Cologne, Antigua Lyme, and Francis. Available records place the earliest Excelsis edition in 2011 and Francis in 2013. Public information about the house remains limited, so its character is best understood through this focused body of work rather than broad claims about scale or reach.
The Creator
Frederick HassThere is not enough verified information to identify Frederick Hass’s signature techniques, preferred ingredients, or habitual use of woods, florals, spices, resins, or synthetic materials. It would be equally misleading to borrow the aesthetic of Frédéric Malle, whose name ap…
