The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
White Temple arrived in 2018 from Anne McClain, the nose behind MCMC Fragrances. Its identity rests on a composed contrast of green, resinous, and woody notes, with incense and frankincense forming the center of the fragrance. Frankincense lends a dry, aromatic depth, while oak and Gurjan Balsam contribute a richer woody character. Cedarwood gives the composition a steady base, and the green accord adds a fresh, coniferous dimension that keeps the incense accord from reading as one-note. Together, the notes create a fragrance that feels deliberate, contemplative, and suited to close, considered wear. The result balances cool greenery with warm woods and resin, offering an incense scent with added nuance rather than relying on smoke alone.
What makes White Temple interesting is the tension inside its composition. The green accord brings freshness to the opening, while incense and frankincense add a darker aromatic foundation. Oak and Gurjan Balsam introduce wood and balsamic richness, giving the fragrance more warmth as it develops. Cedarwood supports the woody structure and helps the green, resinous, and incense notes feel connected rather than isolated. The balance changes across the wear: green facets remain distinct, while the incense and woods gradually become more prominent.
The evolution
White Temple begins with a distinct green accord, fresh and coniferous, before the incense and woods take fuller shape. The early brightness gives way gradually, revealing the dry resin of frankincense and the rounded woodiness of oak. Gurjan Balsam adds a faintly bitter, balsamic dimension that complements both the green and resinous notes without becoming the sole focus. Cedarwood works steadily beneath the composition, giving the incense accord a clear woody foundation from the first impression through the drydown. As the fragrance develops, the green accord remains present and adds a spruce-like thread to the darker notes. Frankincense deepens the center, while oak and Gurjan Balsam keep the overall effect warm and polished. The scent on skin shifts from a cooler, greener opening into a more resinous and woody expression, with cedar, oak, and balsam becoming increasingly apparent.
Cultural impact
White Temple sits within MCMC's distinctive catalog, where unusual compositions invite close attention to the relationship between individual notes. Its reference point for wearers is the Hunter line's coniferous clarity, which the green accord here echoes, but the incense-led structure pulls it somewhere more meditative. People who appreciate layered, contemplative fragrances may find particular appeal in the way the green accord, frankincense, Gurjan Balsam, oak, and cedarwood interact over time.
The House
MCMC FragrancesMCMC Fragrances proves that intimacy and ambition can coexist. Founded in Brooklyn in 2009 by Anne Serrano-McClain after training at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery, the house crafts original scents that reject the performative excess of mainstream perfumery. Every fragrance emerges from a single creative voice, producing work that feels personal rather than manufactured. The result is a small but considered catalog that has earned a loyal following and placement in retailers from Paris to Tokyo, all without sacrificing the handcrafted ethos that defines the brand.
The Creator
Anne McClainMcClain's style draws from her deep study of natural materials and her grounding in classical Grasse technique. She favors botanical ingredients, informed by her background in aromatherapy before her formal perfumery education.
