Patchouli Noir

Brute-force patchouli is my absolute most favorite smell. I’ve got jars full of patchouli-forward decants, and this is the frontrunner now in my Holy Grail patch pursuit. I’ll take it over the likes of Santa Maria Novella Patchouli, Profumum Roma Patchouly, Serge Lutens Borneo 1834, and Jovoy Psychedelique. It’s neck-and-neck with Chanel Coromandel, but that one’s 540 bucks. Coromandel is in a world of its own with its talebearing blast of white chocolate. Patchouli Noir, on the other hand, is the first patch to make me get the “chocolate cake” thing. To my nose, their patchouli notes are similarly done. Patchouli Noir is an eruption of all the things I lust for in patchouli: soily, clayey, camphorous, aromatic, creamy. Penetrating, earthy, deep, dark, and dimensional. A little peppery. I don’t get any floral from the poppy, but I’m sure it plays a part in this perfection. So glad it’s not rose. Rose is what spoils the drydown of Psychedelique for me. Mint is the masterstroke here. It amplifies the dirty menthol feel - as does an additional boost from the divine inclusion of cedarwood. And vanilla, like there is here, is what it takes to create a winning patch for me. Patchouli Noir is the It Patch. Addictive and superb. MASTERPIECE

An uncomplicated patchouli scent, Patchouli Noir has a clean but rich, herbaceous, musky, natural smell that I often associate with Italian perfumes. This definitely leans in the direction of a chocolate-y patchouli. Starts out camphorous and earthy, becomes slightly sweeter in the base. What's not listed in the note pyramid is a healthy glug of white musk which lends a crispness to the composition. Very nice. Update: I am absolutely obsessed with this fragrance. It is one of the best smells in my entire collection. Unfortunately, it causes me to break out in red bumps wherever I apply it. But I'm not going to throw it away. It is almost worth the allergic reaction just to wear this beautiful creation.

(I have moved my review over to this bottle since they finally added it and this is the bottle I've had) This has now taken first place amongst all my patchouli fragrances, and that's really saying something since Patchouli is my most favorite note in perfume ever. It is SO beautiful and comforting and I wear it in any weather; day or night. It doesn't remind me of anything else I have in my patchouli perfumes. It's not dry and dusty like Patchouli Antique or Reminiscence even. It's in its own category, and it never dries down to a stinky amber either. What are you waiting for? Get it!! P.S. I really think the poppy adds the perfect note to this fragrance without being floral at all.

It's a total shame that this fragrance is slept on so much, maybe it's just the lack of brand popularity? Nevertheless this is an abosolutely a goregous patchouli fragrance. If you have the opportunity to test this out, do yourself a favour and do it! I randomly tried this out during a spa visit and after sampling it, it was an easy buy. Just a classy, dark, sweet (but not candy sweet) well blended compliment magnet. One of my all-time favourites!

This is stunning! Bought a bottle about 7 years ago and use it every now and then. It's amazing. The dry down is beautiful and doesn't knock you over with heavy patchouli. It blends perfectly. The reason I don't wear it all the time, is because it's a 'mood' scent. It's magical yes, but I like the mystery of its aura. It's a special scent that takes me to another place and time. :)