Rose Noir

I was almost giving up on Byredo. Which is stupid since I ́ve only tried Bal d'Afrique and Gipsy Water before I tried this. I like both Bal d'Afrique and Gipsy Water, but neither had any wow effect on me. But Rose Noir is different. It ́s weird, but to me the opening is a bit aquatic and I can swear I get black tea with rose. There is no tea, I know, but still it ́s so strong I can almost taste it. Maybe it's the moss? And the "tea" is what I like very much. I was also convinced there is patchouli. And yes there is, it ́s not listed on the notes here, but it ́s there according to official Byredo site: Top: Cardamom, Freesia, Grapefruit, Red Berries Heart: Lily of the Valley, Raspberry, Rose Damascena, Violet, Jasmine Base: Moss, Musk, Patchouli, Cistus Labdanum This is a love for me. I understand why someone would not think this as a dark rose, and I think it ́s more earthy and mysterious than dark. Not heavy at all. If you are looking for a very dark beast mode rose, this is not it. The longevity and silage are moderate. Perhaps even on the weak side. But that's the way I like it. One of the best roses I have encountered with. I like this better than Rose en Noir or Eau de Protection. I love Portrait of a Lady, but it's sometimes too much for me. This could be the more wearable rose. It does turn a bit masculine on the dry down, but not too much. Nevertheless the masculinity might turn out to be the deal breaker... depends on what the SO thinks. Or maybe I just don't care. Definitely going to purchase more samples of this. Just can't go with FB right now, too expensive...

Byredo Rose Noir ignited my obsession to discover the perfect masculine rose fragrance. Until I sampled it, I had a very narrow view of what constituted a rose scent—all floral and feminine like Bvlgari Rose Goldea—so I shied away from testing anything that had rose in the name. Byredo Rose Noir is not that type of rose. This one is intense, astringent, mossy, almost medicinal. In fact, my wife asserted it reminds her of Vick’s Vapor Rub. I’m not a Vapor Rub aficionado, but to my nose, this is a very unisex, very fresh composition with an unusual pairing of rose, oak moss, grapefruit, and labdanum. The rose itself has a honeyed tinge to it in the opening, though the honey is gone within twenty minutes. The rest of the dry-down is fairly linear. On my skin, performance is good, giving me whiffs of freshness up to six hours after a double spray. Silage is a moderate arm’s length or a bit further, certainly not room filling, and this is just what I want with a perfume—I don’t want to gas out those around, but I want to smell the fragrance myself. The first time I wore it, a cashier in an electronics store gave me a compliment, asking what I was wearing because she was looking for a gift for a relative. I’ve worn it without prejudice in summer, fall, and winter now, so it seems to have versatility for any season. Highly recommended. (The Byredo site gives a number of additional notes that aren't listed here such as cardamon, red berries, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Violet and Patchouli.)

Such a beautiful perfume, I can't believe it's not on the shelves anymore. I was lucky to get a sample of it. It's surprisingly not heavy at all, even though it smells quite deep and complex. Some tartness of the berries, lemons add a refreshing zing. There is the same level of sharpness from patchouli like in Chanel's Paris Paris. It mostly smells like if you would mix Sisley's Soir de Lune with Sisley's Izia La Nuit. If you like both of these perfumes and overall like Sisley, I think, there is a great chance you would enjoy Rose Noir. It's borderline melancholic, dusty and lonely wild rose, but not completely there yet. There is some gloominess about it, a sombre feeling of the forest grounds. Unisex, a bit more on the feminine side. The moss with the rose is just a stunning combination, even though the moss is pretty light in here. +

I love this! Very unique. I first will say I agree with the common opinion that this is not quite "noir" it is not dark or dusty. It is the opposite. I think the name is causing a less than favorable review from most people. However the note description of this fragrance is right on point. The rose opens up so beautifully. I do not get the grapefruit but I do get the lemon! The rose and lemon mix so well it reminds me if a rose met a starburst candy this is what it would taste like! Yes taste like! The fragrance is so sparkly I can just about taste it. The dry down is where the slight noir comes into play for me. Drys down or should I say winds down into a calm rose/musk/freesia. Lasts quite awhile and is just amazing! Another great addition to the Byredo House!

Man, I love this fragrance! Like with many fragrances, my body chemistry skips the top notes and go straight to embracing the mid and basenotes -- I don't mind that at all. This is so beautiful with the woody notes from the oakmoss blending in with the roses. There's a little spice to it without spoiling the lushness of the roses. I like the originality of this blend. I've owned so many rose fragrances over the years and appreciate the direction this one takes instead of the typical pure floral path. The only negative thing I have to say is DAMN, it's expensive! That said, I don't regret splurging on this at all.