The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Sacred Frankincense 2 arrived in 2014 as part of JoAnne Bassett's Royal Alchemy Collection. The first Sacred Frankincense centered on a single resin note; this one widens the lens. Bassett pulled Omani frankincense and layered Indian champa attar, Turkish Damask rose otto, and a Nepalese rhododendron on top. The composition reads like a deliberate conversation between resin and flower, with each ingredient given room rather than rushed into a blended mass. Sacred Frankincense 2 functions as a second pass at a theme Bassett treats less like a standard formula and more like a studied reprise, an attempt to revisit the same resin-centered idea with greater range and more layered tension.
The structure of Sacred Frankincense 2 places flower and resin on the same footing rather than building a hierarchy. The rose otto and champa attar appear early enough to be felt before the resin fully settles, lending a soft floral edge to the otherwise resinous profile. Galbanum adds a green, slightly bitter counterpoint that keeps the opening from becoming monolithic. Butter CO2 introduces a creamy undertone that softens edges without tipping the composition into gourmand territory.
The evolution
The development of Sacred Frankincense 2 moves through several distinct stages, each reshaping what came before. At the outset, frankincense and galbanum establish the dominant character, with lemon adding lift. The Omani resin anchors the composition with a dry, slightly peppery quality that defines the first impressions. Damask rose otto and champa flower then ease in, their presence gathering momentum as the opening fades. Butter CO2 contributes a creamy weight that shifts the overall texture from dry and resinous to something softer and more rounded. Ginger runs through the middle stages, providing gentle warmth that keeps the composition from feeling heavy. Rhododendron hovers in the background throughout, a cool herbal note that contrasts the warmer elements.
Cultural impact
Sacred Frankincense 2 sits within a niche tradition of natural perfumery where frankincense is treated as the primary material around which everything else arranges itself. It appeals to wearers who already know what Omani tears smell like and want something that engages with the ingredient directly rather than using it as decoration. The rose and champa pairing marks it as something distinctive, a combination that places floral elements on equal footing with the resin rather than relegating them to supporting roles.
The House
JoAnne BassettJoAnne Bassett is an independent natural perfumer who has built a niche following since the early 1990s. Based in San Diego, she creates small‑batch fragrances that rely on real essential oils, absolutes and botanicals rather than synthetic aroma chemicals. Her line includes scents such as Timeless (2011), Intimacy (2012) and Sacred 333 Elixir (2016). The brand positions itself as a laboratory for botanical discovery, offering both ready‑to‑wear perfumes and a DIY kit that lets customers blend their own natural fragrance at home.
The Creator
JoAnne BassettBassett favors all‑natural essential oils, absolutes, and tinctures harvested from farms she trusts. She writes each composition on a digital ledger, treating the recipe like a piece of code that can be refined and personalized.
