Escentric 04

The Verdict

Escentric 04, created by Geza Schoen in 2017, continues the brand's concept of building fragrances around a single hero molecule. This time, Javanol takes center stage, a Givaudan creation that reimagines sandalwood with synthetic precision and newfound dimension. The Escentric variant surrounds this molecule with supporting notes that bring out its warm, creamy potential.

Community reception is largely positive with a streak of polarization. Admirers describe it as one of the most pleasant fragrances they have encountered, while detractors report experiences ranging from synthetic citrus sourness to insect-repellent overtones. This variability is partly inherent to the brand's concept, where individual skin chemistry and possible anosmia to the central molecule create wildly different experiences.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers a tart, acidic grapefruit with a wonderfully offbeat, milky texture. Pink pepper contributes dry mineral qualities that bridge the citrus top to the woody base. The composition is built around abundant Javanol, which presents as sandalwood would, albeit in a green, synthetic way, bringing a nutty sort of creaminess that is unmistakably woody.

Polysantol, a powerful sandalwood synthetic, adds tremendous volume and diffusion, making the wood accord both loud and creamy-sweet. The supporting notes of juniper, osmanthus, rose, mastic, and galbanum create layers of complexity: milky grapefruit against dry pepper, metallic minerals, and something subtly powdery. One influential reviewer described the total effect as like wearing sunshine, specifically the burning orange glow of a sunset.

When to Wear It

Escentric 04 works best in warm weather when its radiant, creamy-citrus character can bloom fully. Spring and summer daytime settings bring out the best in this composition. Its versatility makes it equally appropriate for casual weekends, outdoor brunches, and office environments where it reads as fresh, clean, and contemporary without demanding attention.

The scent is suave and timeless enough for more polished occasions, though its citrus-forward character keeps it firmly in daytime territory.

Longevity & Projection

Performance reports vary more dramatically than with most fragrances, likely due to individual sensitivity to Javanol. Some reviewers report an impressive 24 hours of detectability, with one expert calling longevity superb. Others experience light to average projection and around five hours of total wear time. The Fragrantica community consensus rates longevity as moderate at about four hours with two hours of meaningful projection.

The fragrance can be a bit overwhelming on first spray, but the dry down settles into a more intimate, creamy sandalwood that rewards close proximity.

The Community Says

The Candy Perfume Boy called Escentric 04 potentially the favourite thing he had smelled that year, praising its intriguing layering of milky grapefruit, dry pepper, metallic minerals, and creamy sandalwood. CaFleureBon described it as a zesty, fizzy tonic romp that is irrefutably invigorating, with superb longevity and a smooth operator personality. Basenotes reviewers are more divided, with some praising it as a very solid, very pleasing, and very versatile fragrance, while others note an off-putting synthetic fruit quality or insect-repellent character that never quite fades.

The fragrance is frequently cited as a compliment monster by those on whose skin it performs well.

Who Should Buy This

Escentric 04 is ideal for those intrigued by modern molecular perfumery and who enjoy the idea of a fragrance built around a single fascinating ingredient. Fans of creamy sandalwood compositions, warm citrus fragrances, or the brand's earlier releases will find much to appreciate here. It also serves well as a gateway into niche perfumery for those coming from designer fragrances, offering something genuinely distinctive without being confrontational.

Sampling is essential before committing to a full bottle. Given the anosmia factor and the polarizing grapefruit note, this is a fragrance that either clicks perfectly with your chemistry or does not.

The Bottom Line

Escentric 04 delivers an innovative, warm, and genuinely distinctive fragrance experience built around Javanol's creamy sandalwood character. When it works on your skin, it is sunshine in a bottle: radiant, enveloping, and endlessly pleasant. The variability in individual experience makes blind buying risky, but a successful test wear often converts skeptics into devoted fans.