Escentric 01 Limited Edition

The Verdict

Escentric 01 Limited Edition is a 2011 collector's presentation of Geza Schoen's groundbreaking 2006 composition. The fragrance itself remains the same fascinating experiment in molecular perfumery: a composition built around an unprecedented 65% concentration of Iso E Super, surrounded by carefully chosen supporting notes. The limited edition distinguished itself through an opaque collector's bottle and reportedly improved atomization.

The community's verdict on Escentric 01 as a whole is one of respectful admiration tinged with acknowledgment of its unconventional nature. This is not a fragrance that will bowl people over with its projection or complexity. Instead, it offers something rarer: a scent that seems to emanate from the wearer's own skin, creating an almost subliminal aura that others notice without being able to pinpoint.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers a lovely burst of lime and pink pepper that is fizzy, bright, and immediately engaging. This citrus-spice top is ephemeral, lasting perhaps 15 to 20 minutes before the dominant Iso E Super base takes over. That base is woody, smooth, and amber-like, with a subtle cedarwood quality and hints of iris providing a powdery softness.

Unlike Molecule 01, which presents Iso E Super in isolation, Escentric 01 gives the molecule context and dimension. Traces of benzoin, mastic, and incense add warmth and depth to the woody core. The overall effect is of a warm, comforting, vaguely woody scent that sits close to the skin and seems to become part of the wearer rather than sitting on top of them.

When to Wear It

Escentric 01 is one of the most versatile fragrances in existence precisely because of its subtlety. It is completely office-safe, appropriate for any casual outing, and works beautifully for intimate gatherings where close contact allows the skin scent to be appreciated. It also excels as a layering base, adding warmth and depth beneath other fragrances.

Its three-season versatility from spring through fall makes it a reliable daily companion, though it can be worn year-round without issue.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is one of Escentric 01's genuine strengths, with multiple reviewers reporting 8 to 12 hours of detectable scent. The caveat is that projection is low, rated around 2-3 out of 10 by the Fragrantica community. After the initial pepper-lime burst, the fragrance becomes a close-to-skin affair, detectable at perhaps two to three feet. Notably, some wearers report that others can smell it even when they themselves cannot, a characteristic quirk of Iso E Super fragrances.

The Community Says

Basenotes reviewers describe the opening as "woody, fizzy and salty with a little citrus zing," appreciating the brightness that lime and pepper bring to the Iso E Super core. The NST Perfume review praises the "lovely burst of lime and pepper" and notes 8 to 10 hours of staying power. However, some reviewers find the rapid transition from top notes to base disappointing, and a minority consider the composition underwhelming. The MakeupAlley community and fragrance bloggers are more consistently positive, appreciating its compliment-generating properties even when the wearer cannot smell it themselves.

Who Should Buy This

This limited edition is best suited for Escentric Molecules collectors and those who already love the original Escentric 01 and want the improved atomization and collector's bottle. Beyond collectors, it appeals to anyone who appreciates intimate, skin-scent fragrances and the intellectual concept of molecular perfumery. Those who demand attention-grabbing projection or dramatic scent evolution will find it frustrating.

The Bottom Line

Escentric 01 Limited Edition offers a collector's gateway into one of modern perfumery's most distinctive experiments. The woody-pepper-lime composition built around Iso E Super delivers remarkable longevity and an almost magnetic quality that draws people in rather than projecting outward. It is not for everyone, but for those attuned to its wavelength, it can become an irreplaceable part of the fragrance wardrobe.