Spicy
Woody
Notesamberambroxanblack pepperelemiincensemyrrhnutmegopoponaxorris (iris root)pink peppersmoke
Tags
#smoky
Style
unisex
The finest gum extracts from Somaliland — frankincense, myrrh and opoponax — combine in this resinous and sophisticated scent. Berbera is a powerful woody amber suitable for layering, as is common in the Middle East, as well as a standalone manifesto. Opoponax brings nuances of leather and old wood, myrrh swirls in a cola note, and frankincense soars high and dry. A charred-around-the-edges fragrance to uplift your soul and deepen your mystique.
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
Berbera suits an evening spent in close conversation, its peppery incense giving the wearer a firm, deliberate presence. Dry smoke keeps the resinous warmth from feeling plush; the impression is more worn leather and dark wood than polished sweetness.
How to wear
Cool weather gives this powerful resinous amber room to unfold. Start with one or two sprays on skin, allowing the dry incense and warmer myrrh–opoponax facets to settle before adding more. In heat or close quarters, apply sparingly; for layering, use a light application so the smoky resins do not overwhelm the other fragrance.
Who it’s for
For those drawn to dry incense, peppery woods and resins with leathery rather than sugary warmth. Its cola-like myrrh accent adds an unusual twist, while the charred edges will appeal to wearers who prefer smoky texture to soft, polished amber.
Release year
2024
The nose
Fabrice Pellegrin and Coralie Spicher co-created Berbera. Pellegrin is known for expressive natural materials and richly textured compositions, with works including Diptyque’s Do Son and Eau Duelle. Here, the pair explore incense through contrasting extractions, setting its dry, smoky facets against the depth of myrrh and opoponax.
Nissaba’s story
Nissaba builds fragrances around natural ingredients and the regions that produce them, giving perfumers freedom from predefined gender, fragrance families and competitive briefs. Founded from experience in sustainable ingredient sourcing, the house connects perfumery with agricultural livelihoods and commits 5% of sales to grower-community initiatives.
Berbera’s concept
Berbera pays tribute to the aromatic resins of the Horn of Africa. Named after the port in Somaliland, it follows frankincense, myrrh and opoponax from their source landscapes toward perfumery workshops. Its central idea is to process one grade of incense three ways—CO₂ extraction, molecular distillation and pyrogenization—so that incense runs through the whole composition.
Extra info
Berbera uses one grade of incense processed three different ways, rather than three distinct incense species. The eau de parfum has a stated 22% concentration and over 90% natural-origin content, with certified-organic French wheat alcohol. It is vegan, but not entirely natural: the formula also includes musks, amber woods and ambrox.
Also featured in
Incense & Resin
Notesamberambroxanblack pepperelemiincensemyrrhnutmegopoponaxorris (iris root)pink peppersmoke
Tags
#smoky
Style
unisex
The finest gum extracts from Somaliland — frankincense, myrrh and opoponax — combine in this resinous and sophisticated scent. Berbera is a powerful woody amber suitable for layering, as is common in the Middle East, as well as a standalone manifesto. Opoponax brings nuances of leather and old wood, myrrh swirls in a cola note, and frankincense soars high and dry. A charred-around-the-edges fragrance to uplift your soul and deepen your mystique.
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
Berbera suits an evening spent in close conversation, its peppery incense giving the wearer a firm, deliberate presence. Dry smoke keeps the resinous warmth from feeling plush; the impression is more worn leather and dark wood than polished sweetness.
How to wear
Cool weather gives this powerful resinous amber room to unfold. Start with one or two sprays on skin, allowing the dry incense and warmer myrrh–opoponax facets to settle before adding more. In heat or close quarters, apply sparingly; for layering, use a light application so the smoky resins do not overwhelm the other fragrance.
Who it’s for
For those drawn to dry incense, peppery woods and resins with leathery rather than sugary warmth. Its cola-like myrrh accent adds an unusual twist, while the charred edges will appeal to wearers who prefer smoky texture to soft, polished amber.
Release year
2024
The nose
Fabrice Pellegrin and Coralie Spicher co-created Berbera. Pellegrin is known for expressive natural materials and richly textured compositions, with works including Diptyque’s Do Son and Eau Duelle. Here, the pair explore incense through contrasting extractions, setting its dry, smoky facets against the depth of myrrh and opoponax.
Nissaba’s story
Nissaba builds fragrances around natural ingredients and the regions that produce them, giving perfumers freedom from predefined gender, fragrance families and competitive briefs. Founded from experience in sustainable ingredient sourcing, the house connects perfumery with agricultural livelihoods and commits 5% of sales to grower-community initiatives.
Berbera’s concept
Berbera pays tribute to the aromatic resins of the Horn of Africa. Named after the port in Somaliland, it follows frankincense, myrrh and opoponax from their source landscapes toward perfumery workshops. Its central idea is to process one grade of incense three ways—CO₂ extraction, molecular distillation and pyrogenization—so that incense runs through the whole composition.
Extra info
Berbera uses one grade of incense processed three different ways, rather than three distinct incense species. The eau de parfum has a stated 22% concentration and over 90% natural-origin content, with certified-organic French wheat alcohol. It is vegan, but not entirely natural: the formula also includes musks, amber woods and ambrox.
Also featured in
Incense & Resin