A range, not a rigid answer.
Smoke, church air, lemony mineral lift, balsamic sweetness, leather, spice or warm varnish.
Deeper sensory reference
Incense / resins
Incense may describe burned-material atmosphere, specific resins or a constructed accord. Resins such as frankincense, myrrh, benzoin and labdanum differ.
smokybalsamicmineralwarm
Why a perfumer may use the effect.
Adds lift, shadow, warmth, texture and ritual association.
Keep the evidence boundary visible.
Incense does not always smell smoky, and amber is not one resin.
Words that change the way you read it.
Frankincense · myrrh · benzoin · labdanum · amber