Black Cashmere

This if for the Original formula in the oval bottle. We all have that scent that strikes something deep inside of us and is our most beloved. It takes us places we want to go and for the time we wear it, makes us feel like the person we want to be. For me this is Black Cashmere by Donna Karan. I have a 30ml mouse bottle that I stash away in my perfume cupboard, like a dragon protecting it's most precious treasures. Definitely one of my most prized perfumes. The mouse bottle used to be rather affordable but the prices have spiked in the past year to ridiculous amounts. I really regret not getting a larger bottle when prices were better. I would love to wear this scent much more than I do, but I also know I will be heartbroken the day I spray it's last drop. I'm not sure about getting the re-released bottle. It's such an emotionally loaded scent for me I am not sure I want to risk the disappointment of a reformulation. Now, how she wears: It opens with a heady and heavy veil of charred wood. Peeking shyly from behind the veil are spices (clove, nutmeg). I believe this charred wood smell comes from the perfect blending of a deep, rich wood with a luxurious frankincense. For the first twenty or thirty minutes this scent is intensely heavy. It masterfully walks a fine line between being divinely heavy and cloying. After the scent settles the saffron, and to a smaller extent, nutmeg come into their own. They are supported by a nice base of cloves that blend magically with the charred wood note. There is also a hint of a sweetish floral (rose perhaps?). The real star of this composition is still that wood and frankincense blend. It really sings with the saffron, and it's a completely wonderful song. The dry down is the sweetest stage and the floral is strongest here (saffron touched by rose). There is also the interplay of spices (still mainly clove and nutmeg). Perhaps the Amber and Vanilla offer this sweetness we see here, though these do not show up as notes on their own but add a beautiful sweet edge to the notes that are more discernible. The charred wood / frankincense are now just snatches of memories that play around the outside of the composition. Just enough to remind you of their presence but not enough to draw attention away from the spiced and sweetened florals. This scent is one of the most unique scents I own. I have never found anything else like it. It always takes me places I want to be whenever I wear it. The longevity is about 7-10 hours, becoming a skin scent at around 5-7 hours. This silage and projection are rather large and heavy in the beginning but settle down to more reasonable and personal levels in the heart and dry down. She is special and I adore her.

Hello Darkness, my old friend. Black Cashmere is a classic for a reason. It's unique and it's amazing. I haven't worn it for a few years, though, so bringing it out of the perfume cupboard this autumn has been something of a revelation. I bought two spare of these beautiful black river stone bottles ages ago on fleabay after I finished mine and had heard it was about to be discontinued. The scent seems to be the same, though, as it was 15-ish years ago, stored in a cool dark place. The first blast of Black Cashmere is PEPPER with cloves and nutmeg (so, essentially, a spice bomb) with labdanum, amber, patchouli and woods slowly weaving in and asserting themselves, softening the spice into a delectable resinous oriental. The pepper calms down, but the cloves, nutmeg and saffron thankfully hang in for a few more hours - and remain balanced with the patchouli, resins and woods as they develop, creating a warm, comforting cashmere blanket of scent that lasts and lasts, perfect for the cooler months. The patchouli, as it makes itself known, adds a touch of earthiness and there is something also a little bit green (broom?) which, when mixed with the spices, gives an aromatic character to what is otherwise a solid oriental. I think this "aromatic" character is the mystique - the thing that makes this perfume so unique and addictive. There's something living and alive beneath the smoke and spice. Cistus, another living note, wouldn't surprise me; but if it's there it's in harmony with the whole composition. The drydown is heavily incensed labdanum with spices, flattening out from hour 4-ish to dry woods scented with amber (think: that expensive stationery smell - perfumed paper). I'm on hour 8 now and it's still going strong. Basically, if you are a fragrance head like me, this perfume is part of your education. It is quoted in books and on blogs as a reference for good reason, because it started something new and I think is hard to duplicate (although I am sure there are some good dupes out in these days of ten million fragrance houses - tell me if you find them). I'm sure it's discontinued, however, because it is not now and has never been for everyone. Luckily for those of us who love it, a few spritzes in the morning last all day, with monster sillage, and no need for touch ups -- so the little bottles go a long way. NB: The notes listed here are not the ones on Basenotes and other sources. I think the truth is somewhere in between. Basenotes lists: Head: saffron, masala spices, white pepper, co2, clove, nutmeg, pimento berry, broom flower Heart: wengue wood, bois de miel, cistus Base: patchouli, marechal rose, ethiopian incense, labdanum

The starting accord on my skin is strong nutmeg with amber, woods, and frankincense. I am not sure about the saffron, but I smell something boozy too. When the fragrance settles, I get some carnation or clove or both. The "african sorts of assorted tree" thingy slightly calls Lubin's Idol into mind, but this is just a weak and adventitious association. It is a pleasantly smoky fragrance, recalling gardens in the fall with burning leaves. The whole composition is rounded and softened by a warm, non-edible vanilla note. Neither sillage, nor longevity are great on me, I would call both moderate. It is definitely a unisex fragrance. While it is pleasant, it is not great or outstandingly interesting. It evolves very little after the first 15-20 minutes, it just goes on in a rather linear fashion, slowly getting fainter till it disappears at about the 4 hour mark. It is a very nicely executed frangrance which however fails to move me really. Politically correct, office friendly and non-offensive. C'est tout. 7/10 EDIT 17/10/2015 In time Black Cashmere has evolved to one of my special favourites. I was wrong. It is not politically correct and while maybe office friendly, if you smell more attentively, it has a very unique, animalic, carnal undertone, which I cannot really pin down, but it smells almost disturbingly "human" on my skin. While they have nothing in common, but I could compare this "something" to vintage Kouros: like there, here in BC there is a note that is balancing on the razor's edge between irresistible and off-putting. It is not the central theme like it was in Kouros, rather kind of a low hum, but that makes it the more unsettling. However at the same time it manages to be super cosy and alluring. 9/10

This is one of the most wonderful perfumes I have ever smelled! It is so sad all the wonderful ones are now so hard to find or much too expensive. My mom is a big fan of Cashmere Mist and DK in general; but for the most part CM didn't thrill me, it's nice enough, but THIS is beyond heavenly... *Malegria: Thank you Eva for the generous sample you gave Mother!* An opening devoid of citrus, fruits or any greens cuts right to the chase and opens with a wonderful warm nutmeg aroma that is spicy, yet smooth and powdery. The saffron's delicate floral pollen like aroma adds to this with a subtle rich flavor. The heart is spicy peppered carnation and a dry rose scent that reminds one of a flower pressed in a book to remember a long lost lover. This blends with the skin so well, and feels soft and warm not unlike a cashmere sweater, that still carries the scent of a heavy incensy resin or balm. The drydown is grand: oriental, sweet, and exotic. Rodrigo Flores-Roux; I should have known, the man is a wizard when it comes to creating unique and superb perfumes. More incense and woods than florals; this is a splendid spicefest that I won't soon forget, and will add it to my top ten most wanted scents ever... Sillage: very good Longevity: excellent Overall: 4.75/5 This scent is supposed to be a woman's perfume but it smells just wonderful on my male skin; and in fact very warm, and masculine as far as I am concerned. I have a new love in my life-a dark, smooth, exotic beauty that keeps me warm and loved; a sacred love that others may not understand, but takes me back to ancient forests, burnt offerings and mysterious rituals-a time when things were simpler and Mankind, Nature and the Gods were in harmony...

I have a couple of samples, but a while back I bought a partial bottle of this, knowing it was something I would like. It’s the silly black mouse bottle, one of the few that I’ll tolerate despite the fact that it doesn’t stand up by itself. The first thing I smell is frankincense, lots of it. Then it’s joined by woody and resinous notes, cedar, sandalwood, a pinch of clove/carnation and nutmeg, and a bit of myrrh and probably some cashmeran, hence the name. There’s a slightly smoky feel to the whole composition, like walking some distance away from a campfire or fireplace where fresh cedar and juniper wood is burning. When I first smelled the incense in the opening, I expected a heavy fragrance, but BC is very light and airy. At first, it’s delicate wisps of smoke drifting through the cool outdoor air, not a heavy wool wrap. It has plenty of sillage, but it’s subtle, not the sort that hits you in the face. It’s safe to spray, at least in small amounts, which is something I can’t say for most commercial perfumes. As it dries down, it becomes a little sweeter, with the vanilla and amber starting to come through, but overall it stays fairly linear, gradually thickening and increasing in intensity. It lasts at least 12 hours, and is still there full force on clothing the next day and the next .... Black Cashmere is one of my go-to scents in the rotation that I wear regularly, but it does need to be used in moderation.

The dusky woods and spiced incense of Black Cashmere has given it a cult status of sorts: at the time of its release in 2002, it was bold to introduce such a dense amber fragrance with so much chewy, gothic labdanum. One could argue it did actually ride the coattails of CdG and its incense series, but here, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, opted for witchy nuance, employing what I am convinced is a good helping of Hydrocarboresine. Produced by Biolandes, this derivative of both labdanum absolute and cistus absolute (a more top-note heavy and vegetal, sweet extract from the leaves) is one of the more evocative materials I've encountered. Not only is it reminiscent of church incense, but it imparts smoky qualities without feeling charred, campfire- or barbecue-like. It's quite lovely, and it's rumored that Norma Kamali Incense is pretty much mostly Hydrocarboresine in a bottle. With Black Cashmere, it serves more as a foundation for the melange that orbits it. This one swaddles and hugs the skin, it is one of those where the sillage haunts rather than accosts. Now you smell it, now you don't, now you smell it again: it's ambient, but present, and persists for hours. This is best experienced when carving out some time for some deep breathing, removal of distractions, and perhaps a prayer, if you're into that sort of thing. I must admit that I am, now and then. Also, the bottle is a church mouse. Why? Because I said so.

My signature sent. I had it in the late '90 and used it to the last drop, but I couldn't find it again. :-( Armani Mania was the closest thing but it also got dicontinued. And so a year ago I stamble up on the news that it's back! The tricky thing was that it was only at DK online, Nieman Marcus and Harrod's and only to be delivered in US or UK, Bummer! But with the help of a friend I managed to order one to her sister in the UK and she sent it to me in Sweden and what a joy! As good as I remembered it, woody, spicey, just discretly feminine and perfect for colder weather, (I have to skip it wen I go abroad for a sunny vacation and a hand full of hot summer days). It's a sent most sertenly not for everyone but for me it was finding my signature sent again. I feel comfortable wearing it, I feel instantly proper and secure, it's like nice underwear or high class jewelry. ;-) When my bottle it empty I'll fly to London just to get my hands on a new one if I have to. And I love the new bottle as well, large enough to last and like the Kiehl's bottles no fuss, just plane simple and elegant.

It's the intriguing mixture of saffron and carnation that push my buttons. Absolutely unique and the kind of incense perfume to try if you tend to shy away from patchouli. Even though it's discernible, the patchouli here is a gentle, dry note that acts as a conduit for the warmer, more powdery notes to follow. It's never allowed to dominate. Black Cashmere is a beautiful, lingering fragrance that evokes the same atmosphere one finds in ancient churches - those years of incense forever infused in the timeworn wood of the pews. A hushed reverence at first, which blossoms into warm and comforting spice. Never harsh, beautifully blended and actually a very good rendition of what black cashmere would smell like, if cashmere did have a scent! Fabulously touchy-feely bottle, too, that begs to be snuggled in the palm of your hand. Everything is right - this one deserves far more accolades that the rest of Donna Karan's perfumes. Then again, if it were more popular and widely available, perhaps it would lose some of its exclusivity, which is part of the great allure, after all.

If This Perfume Was a Song - Hal by Yasmine Hamdan This was perfumery PERFECTION. I still have about a half of an ounce of a 3.4 oz. bottle left, kept in a black velvet bag, in a cool closet. This is only the most special of occasion perfumes . . . so special I didn't even wear this on my wedding day. Nothing else has EVER smelled like this. I have tried dupes to no avail. I actually cried when I went to buy a "backup bottle" and none could be found without emptying my back account at the time. THIS is how you do an exotic perfume - so exotic that you would never have imagined that this was a DK perfume you could buy at any dept. store. THIS is how you do sex in a bottle - spicy, dirty and luxurious all at once. THIS was perfume genius. Such odd notes to blend, maybe that is why this was perfume perfection. I was lucky that my chemistry always picked up the Saffron, Nutmeg, Clove and Pepper, with almost no rose noticeable. The notes swayed and merged into one, as if liquid on your skin. Sileage and Longevity - RIDICULOUS! THIS is my Spice Melange.

Today I received this unique, hard to find gem! This was a blind buy for me, I always wanted to smell this as the notes seem very intriguing. Well, my first impression was: Wow, very woodsy, masculine and nicely spiced! This gem is an amalgamation of different kinds of woods drenched in a spice bath full of pepper and mainly cloves. Yes, cloves are the scenestealer all the way for me!! From the beginning I can smell the cloves,very sharp in the beginning and later it stays very soft on the background. I have never encountered such a fragrance before! A very mystical scent, perfect for cold, dark weather. What I like is, how it changes its character from a smoky bit masculine scent into a soft, milky comforting scent. I am glad that I have tested this at least once. But I know that its not my scent, though I like it very much but still its not me. I know my father would love this scent very much, but since he bathes in his perfumes, I will definate not give this rare scent to him. Will put this up for swap.

Pure ebony wood. Is the smell of the house of the sicilian mother of a friend of mine in my childhood, that was back from India, where his husband had work, as widow, filling her flat with indian fornitures, elephant tusks, statues in black wood, oriental rugs, metal cups with gems, ivory knifes, incenses, kajal.. It was odd and exciting house for italian children.. and "that" perfume.. No Incense in the notes list. Incredible! UPDATING: Fragrance born in 2002, no Oud inside, but I do believe this composition has teached and inspired so many nowdays fragrances. It's one of those rare fragrances that deserve the "black" in it's name. It's also bitter and serious some way, but still sensual and spiritual at the same time. And no leather also, incredible again. This is also one of those fragrances you have to live with for some days before to fully appreciate. This perfume is even more masculine that feminine, then at least it should be unisex.

By far my all-time favourite. A singular perfume, very appropriately named, because it gives off dark and cozy vibes. On the whole, I would rate this a unisex scent that leans female because of the moderately floral dry-down. It's also suited for cooler weather. What I smell for the first couple of hours is a very resinous and spicy scent that is vibrant and medicinal. I'm a violinist and the smell reminds me a little of rosin. The resinous top note goes away after a while and the dry-down is incense and dry rose. (I have no idea what carnation smells like, and while I have tasted nutmeg and saffron many times in cooking, I must confess that I don't smell any of those things in Black Cashmere...) It's one of those scents that never fails to lift my spirits even when I just remove the bottle cap and give the spray head a little sniff. It's been over 10 years since I bought my first bottle and it's as special as ever.

This is my favourite of all perfumes, it's unusual and heady and unlike anything else i own. If you don't like clove/cinnamon/nutmeg spicy mixes then you are not going to like this, but this to me is like home on a winter's night. As others have said, there is a comfort to this scent that is unbelievable, it's warm and sensual and draws you in slowly with it's layers. I only wear this on special occasions and mostly during Winter but it's so sexy in a subtle way i relish it when i do. Not a strong overpowering 'look at me!' kinda knockout, which isn't my personality style either.... more of a quietly confident and alluring woman, sliding past you in black boots, unbridled hair and earthy sex appeal. It's the kind you want your lover to lean in and notice as they kiss your neck. Is hard to find, especially in Australia but definitely worth the investment for having something unique and sensual.

This is very nice indeed. I can see why some might find it a tad boring but it depends on what you love. I do tend to gravitate towards woody or spicey fragrance so it suits me. I definitely pick up the wood, nutmeg and saffron on the opening. The nutmeg is low key though. The magic happens when it settles and the warmth of your skin brings it alive. The amber, carnation, pepper and a bit of patch gentle sizzle. Yes, its sexy. With time it loses some sweetness and it focuses on the pepper and spices. If there is one note that remains from start to finish then it is the saffron. Saffron is such classy and unassuming note. This fragrance is really a classic. It has such a timeless quality. This would be great on either sex. This is one to wear when cuddling up by your fella in front of a fire. The silage isnt brilliant but it does last for many hours.

I popped by David Jones tody to try this gorgeous smoky/spicy bomb on my skin and see about getting my name on that list. To my delight a solitary bottle came in and was there ~ Just.For.Me! So I bought it and tested the tester... Wont be returning it! This has heavenly spices with a whisker of florals, a kiss of rose and carnation, seasoned to purfection with some pepper and that smokiness, its similar to woodsmoke but not overpowering. The spray on my wrist after 4 hours is still very detectable but soft, its the squirt down cleavage that is producing a strong comforting pulse of perfume. This is so deffinately a winter scent, absolutely suited to leather and wool and I would suggest spraying on the warmest parts of the body and on clothing. This will be my signature for winter. So pleased to be one of the few to have in in 'Ye ol Perth town'

I'm a guy. I had a bottle of this in my possession about 10 years ago and I can't for the life of me remember how that happened since it's a lady's perfume. But...the scent is phenomenal. I was in high school and like to wear fragrances that were more mature for me. Me, being an idiot thinking I have mens cologne, wore this shamlessly for a little bit. This stuff was great and I got compliments. When I found out it was for women, I stopped wearing it out of embarassment. I can't remember what happened to it and I didn't know what I had. Looking back, I wish I kept it. And not use it until now. Being 30, I'd rock this scent in a formal setting or when I'm around girls. And I wouldn't care if this was targeted for women to wear. Easily a unisex scent. A very dark and mysterious unisex scent. Man or woman, it's one that will get noticed.

To respond to mmmmgood's comment below, Donna did stop making fragrances after Black Cashmere. This was the last fragrance that she was artistic director of before she sold her Donna Karan Beauty line to the Evil Estee Lauder and they are the ones that discontinued all of her beautiful ground-breaking "niche" fragrances she had created. Estee Lauder is the one that is all about the money and went to making all these foolish releases. FYI, Cashmere Mist was created because of the cashmere body products to her signature scent were scented differently than the perfume and clients asked Donna to create a "mist" that smelled like the body products for her signature collection. I know all this because I was a Donna Karan Beauty Account Executive in 1998 when Estee Lauder took over and discontinued my signature fragrance, Chaos.

I just received my fb of the new version in the mail yesterday. I had a shower gel to go on as far as whether I would like the scent, and I do love it. It's not nearly as heavy as I expected from reading the reviews here. But then I wear the revised Chaos on almost a daily basis, and it's the most calming perfume I own. My question is this, and maybe I should post this in a forum, do any of you who have the old and new versions detect a major difference? I can't seem to get a full opinion on this, and I'm still considering purchasing a fb of the original. Thanks! Update: I've been wearing this for the past few days, and it has moved right up to my number one favorite. I thought Chaos was "me", and while I love Chaos, Black Cashmere is her smoother older sister. No rough edges here, just pure scent heaven.

Are you lucky? If you are, like me, Black Cashmere is Divine on you. It's so perfect for the holidays and colder temps. On me it conjures up Renaissance images of cathedrals, castles, and damsels in distress, romantically speaking, of course. I have the original as I was obsessed when I discovered it and bought boat loads. I especially love Enigma7510's review and wholeheartedly agree. If you are lucky enough to be the woman, or man, secure enough in your own skin and compatible chemistry to pull this masterpiece off, it will serve you grandly. My respectful plea to Donna Karan is simply this: Dare to bring Black Cashmere back, even if it's not popular, for those of us who would worship at your feet in return. Dare to stand for a Fragrance Icon awash in a sea of non-scents.

I love woody perfumes- I'm all about it, but it's sometimes hard to find one that treads enough into the feminine side to be predominantly woody without smelling like a man. Other reviewers have done a really good job of describing how it smells (I don't smell medicinal, but everyone's different). Black Cashmere doesn't smell like the crowd pleasers or "safe" fragrances, she defies all of that and stands on her own. She doesn't care if you like her or not, she knows who she is. I personally don't get why she chose to look like a computer mouse but she doesn't care about that either. People who don't like strong woody or unisex fragrances and live or die by fruity garamond florals shouldn't bother. I don't mean that in a rude way, it's just the complete opposite.