Ombre Noire

So we come to the fifth of the five Lalique reviews in this series and the first that isn't technically an Encre Noire flanker, but in my opinion may as well be. Ombre Noire was released in 2017 and this time it is the turn of Karine Dubreuil-Sereni on nose duties to deliver. Like the other four, this was a total blind buy and I deliberately didnt look at a lot of reviews for it online before I tried it on skin so I could make my own judgements. The immediate reaction on spraying was that this is a radically different beast to any of the Encre Noires and is not enjoyable at all for the first four or five minutes. I really, really wasn't sure on this in the opening and couldn't for the life of me see how it would or could ever be something I'd ever wear. Half an hour later and I was chuckling to myself at how wrong I was. Wow. I've had some crap fragrance takes in my life but that one was a doozy. Ombre Noire goes full on villain and then has its own incredible, soaring redemption arc just in the first twenty minutes. It is a wild ride. It is a bit confused and chaotic at first. There is a peppermint note that just floors you because you aren't expecting it and it seems to jar with whatever else is going on. What is going on here????? But as it calms it cools - figuratively and literally - and you get the booze and patchouli. The mint works off the patchouli and it all goes a bit good vs evil, battle of the planets for a while while it goes back and forth. The booze is really good single malt. The searing, peaty, aggressive kind that they sell in special, hushed alcoves in airports. I don't think it is cognac, as the notes suggest. Not to my nose anyway. So if the top is calming patchouli and some mint, the mids is a no man's land battlefield of whiskey and tobacco (curiously not the smokey kind but the leaf, it is fresher and not burned which is sort of surprising and I think a nice touch) fighting the green accords, the base is cedar (not sandalwood; another interesting choice that stops this from going a bit derivative, love that) and some myhhre and tonka beans to add a smooth sweetness that the whole experience needs. I get 4-5 hours off this so perhaps surprisingly it has the least longevity of the five but it isn't an all dayer layer and doesn't need to last you 12 hours. The drydown brings more of the cinnamon and rich tobacco to the experience as the boozy note start to recede. It is one of the most clearly stratified fragrances I have encountered: the head, heart and base are distinct and easily discernable on their own, but work together superbly. The accords here are all at once super intense and quite aggressive, but also soothing and calming. It is, by any stretch of the imagination, a really really fine bit of perfumery. THIS is the sort of fine fragrance I love. I would have given you some seriously long odds on me saying that when I first sprayed it. Not for the first or even tenth time whilst reviewing these five Lalique "Noires" I am at a loss to understand how and why this only costs US$30-35 a bottle. I'd happily pay three or four times that for this and again, I'd have given you long odds of me saying that on the chaotic opening sniff. Would I wear this? Absolutely yes. It is a formal fragrance that would be a bit of a stretch to wear to the office unless formally dressed but as a formal evening thing it is absolutely magnificent. Perhaps not as a suit and tie thing but evening out or something, for sure. If you are going to wear this with a suit, it is definitely not a tie and formal shoes kind of suit, but a dark suit with a dark shirt and slip ons sort of thing. Ombre Noire isn't an easy wear, is by some distance the least unisex of the five and almost certainly the one with the least mass appeal, but it is thoroughly absorbing and the movement on the skin and the way it goes back and forth is really fascinating. This is one you wear because you love it and care not even one jot what anyone else thinks. Right up my street in fact. Three Word Summary - Glorious Dark Chaos. Scent - 9/10 Drydown - 10/10 Sillage - 7/10 Bottle/packaging - 8/10 Performance - 6/10 40/50 the second highest score of the five and I'm as amazed as the rest of you about that.

Lalique's Ombre Noire is truly a marvel of perfumery. It is one of the finest compositions I've ever smelled, irrespective of price or prestige. In fact,.it stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of these creations, holding its own with relative ease. And the magic of the fragrance, lies in the dichotomous nature in which it presents. Ombre Noire opens in a paradoxically fresh manner, with a bright, yet bitter, bergamot, bringing a crisp burst of citrus that awakens the senses almost immediately. With it, there is an almost icy mint coming into play, muting the bitterness of the Bergamot while enhancing the brightness. This minty-citrus opening is accompanied by the addition of a beautiful fig leaf, adding a greenness to the composition, and just enough sweetness to bring balance, without dragging Ombre Noire into saccharine territory. And as the top notes fade, they do so with style, completely changing the olfactory landscape of the fragrance. Where first, was something that could truly be mistaken as a freshie, now stands something incredibly different. The citrus and mint gives way to a dry, toasted papyrus note, with a prominent cinnamon note, and finally, the tobacco we've been waiting for. The cinnamon is rich and vibrant, but not of the culinary variety in the slightest. No, the cinnamon here is raw and woodsy, made drier by the addition of the golden papyrus note, adding a wonderful roundness to the composition. However, neither of these would be enough without the tobacco note that makes it's presence known. And it is one of the most realistic tobacco notes I've ever smelled in any perfume to date. The overall impression is that of an incredibly high quality cigar, toasted to perfection before being lit. Incredibly stunning. However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention another lovely point of intrigue in the mid. As the mint fades, and the cinnamon comes to life, there is a moment where they mingle, a symphony of ice and fire, that by all accounts should not work, and yet, it not only does, it does so beautifully. As the drydown comes forward, the fragrance progresses yet again, however, in this phase of the journey, it is not a transformation as much as it is an evolution. The warm tobacco and cinnamon are joined by a gorgeously photorealistic cognac, further enhanced by a dry cedar and creamy tonka, and a smoky resin-incense brought about by the myrrh and olibanum. The cognac is smooth, dark, spicy and rich, the fruity and oaken undertones beautifully prominent, adding a very slight sweetness. The myrrh and olibanum are sweet and smoky, adding an oriental, middle-eastern vibe. However, it is far from arab-souk. It comes across as opulent, much like the imagery of royalty, of silks and spices. And it is this luxurious incense-tobacco-cognac combination that stays till the fragrance disappears like a whisper of smoke. Which brings me to the only gripe one could possibly have with Ombre Noire. It's longevity and projection, both of which are modest. However, I prefer it this way. Ombre Noire tells the tale of calm confidence and success. It is only fitting, then, that it needn't announce itself in a loud, or brash manner. Instead, sitting calmly, self contained and perhaps slightly aloof, as if only the deserving should bask in it's fragrance. And it is this aura of success that makes it a black-tie affair. Now, of course, you can wear your fragrances however you choose. But wearing it with a hoodie would not do it justice. Ombre Noire is Lalique's Magnum Opus. It is a perfect paradox in every way, from the unboxing, to the bottle, to the olfactory experience itself. It elevates common ingredients to a place rarely seen in perfumery, and does so with an elegance and perfection that is in stark contrast to it's modest price tag. It is, hence, doubly upsetting that it is rarely talked about. An underappreciated masterpiece if ever there was one!

Ombre Noire is, at least in my opinion, an incredible scent, a must sniff for lovers of booze, tobacco, and resins. The mid and base notes of the fragrance are not overly unique; combining tobacco, spices like cinnamon, resins like myrrh and olibanum, booze, and wood has been done before, though here it has been executed with particular panache. However, where Ombre Noire differentiates itself is with the addition of fig leaf and mint. This rush of greenery shoots through the fragrance like an electric shock. The mental image I get when I think of it is similar to a brick house overgrown with vines and creepers. A brazier of resins is burning inside the house, and you can vaguely smell it from afar. As you draw closer, you clear the vines away and open a door into a dark, dimly lit cedar room hazy with the smoke of incense and cigars. That’s the experience of Ombre Noire for me. As the fragrance dries down, the resins, wood, and tobacco become more prominent, but the green element never fully recedes, keeping an otherwise resinous tobacco fragrance somewhat fresh and unique. Finally, in the deep drydown you’re left with wisps of dry cedar, smokey tobacco, a melange of resins (which remain clumped together throughout the life of the fragrance; I don’t pick out myrrh or olibanum as individual notes, but rather as a blend), and a subtle hint of tonka sweetness. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the cinnamon. Cinnamon is very prominent in the fragrance, but don’t think of your typical sweet cinnamon powder. This is a dry, dusty cinnamon bark, paired with papyrus (which has a papery smell) to create an accord that really does remind me of walking through the souk in Marrakech and the rich, mingled scents of spices in the air. Some have compared the smell of this fragrance to garam masala, an Indian spice blend. I wouldn’t really go as far as that, but this is definitely not your holiday spice cinnamon candle kind of experience. The blend of cinnamon bar and papyrus, burning resins, smoky tobacco, dry cedarwood, and vibrant green mint and fig leaf create an incredibly wonderful, unique, and appealing scent profile. This is one of the few fragrances that have made me audibly say, “Oh my god!” upon first sniffing and keep my nose glued to my arm for hours afterwards. I was honestly expecting a little bit more longevity out of Ombre Noire, but I’m also perfectly fine with seven to eight hours, as that more than satisfies my perfume needs. This is a lot less hefty than the notes might suggest, and so the performance overall is a bit pared down compared to heavy hitters from Middle Eastern brands like Arabian Oud or Amouage. The projection and sillage of Ombre Nomade, on the other hand, are quite good. Ombre Nomade will also linger in a room after it’s been sprayed, always a sign of the quality of a perfume’s sillage. This is not a beast mode fragrance by any means, but people definitely won’t fail to smell you if you’ve got this on, and you might even get a compliment or two, too. This will leave behind a rich, complex, and alluring trail behind you, without being too strong or invasive. To me that’s the best kind of projection. Overall, Ombre Noire is an absolutely beautiful scent in my book, with a unique scent profile, beautiful bottle, and solid performance. Well worth seeking out if you can find a bottle for a decent price. 9/10

Definitely a masterpiece for anyone that enjoys woody/boozy fragrances in the realm of Gucci's Pour Homme I, and one that I admit I enjoy wearing for myself around the house much more than I imagined I would. I have several fragrances in this category and it's either because they are so niche that it's difficult to find the appropriate time and place to wear them, or because they are so loud and brash, such as 1 Million Intense, that unless it's very cold I don't want to chance a full wearing being I live in a mild, subtropical climate. I think this one is a victim of both, being heavily geared toward more formal situations and also a much cooler climate than I am in. But it's like the best fitted turtleneck sweater and a warm fireplace with my wife in the winter, sipping Amoretto and watching a good movie on Netflix. That's how I would describe the feel of this fragrance, and it's one that I just like to enjoy over and over again as often as I can. Regarding the performance, I find it to be much better than the ratings reflect. From what you see it shows an expected 4-6 hrs of longevity, while I easily get 8 hours respectively pretty much every wear. Now projection doesn't need to be loud with this one because it's sillage is thick and dense. It hangs around for a good while after you leave. I know because I let others borrow my fragrances to see how they perform around me in the air and this one shines in this regard. It's ultra classy. If you happen to notice a slight curry vibe in the opening, just let it set a few minutes and it will settle in and smooth out rather quickly. It's the fig leaf note mixing with the tobacco and cinnamon that gives you that sensation and it's only temporary. But I say if you are looking for a very nice, very classy and modern take on a woody/spicy/boozy amber then this is most definitely one worth checking out. I have no doubt it could be packaged in Xerjoff bottle and sold for $400 without question. So I think for this price it's a bargain!!! Packing/presentation -9/10 Scent - 9/10 Longevity - 7.25/10 Projection - 6.5/10 Sillage - 8.5/10 Overall score - 8.05/10

Light & Day. White & Black. Feminine & Masculine. Yin & Yang. The beauty of opposites with the use of contrast providing dynamic composition. Lalique's 2017 creation, Ombre Noire is a perfect representation of this converse revealing the dual Masks of Theatre in Melpomene's tragedy and Thalia's comedy in the journey of the wear. A travel that begins in cool calmness and ends in warm radiance. Bergamot in an uncommon bitterness, paired with frosty mint sets off the trek accompanied by an unexpectedly aromatic and sugary fig leaf with just enough greenness to narrowly escape an otherwise spiral descent into saccharine decadence. The two divides of Ombre Noire is bridged by the heavenly aroma of cinnamon, the spice extracted from the inner dried bark of the Cinnamomum Verum tree gifted by the island of Ceylon to the delight and eternal appreciation of the disciples of gastronomy. But this is not culinary cinnamon - this is raw, airy and woodsy made dry by the use of papyrus, the ancient writing material made originally from reeds growing in the marshy banks of the Nile river. The mental image conjured up by this odorous traverse is a wander on a damp forest bed canopied by lush expansive branches and leaves with just enough space for the gleeful escape of blades of sunlight crisscrossing themselves before piercing and lighting the grounds. And all this time the surroundings are gradually illuminated by a brightness in the distance which in time reveals itself as a sunny open field brimming with bales of hay basked in the glory of a blazing Sun. And it is this radiance that best describes the end of Ombre Noire where the resinous myrhh and olibanum made a pact and connived with tobacco leaves and cognac to end the journey in comforting warmth and shelter. A journey that started from the starkest contrast to where it ended - a true olfactory chameleon.

very cool unique opening of fig leaf, fresh minty splash with bergamot bitter. it all comes together smooth and clean with a very methodical roughness. it gives me marakech vibes, sun torched dry red clay buildings. but also a cozy solo night with a nice drink and cigar in hand. this shit is amazing... well blended and unique take on a boozy fragrance. sweet tobacco leaf, cinnamon bark, grassy dryness of papyrus. this part of the mid stays there for a while and yeah its quite dry bit sweet, spicey. the cognac hugs the mid. cognac is very dry oaky often with note of cinnamon but it also has a slight sweetness to it. the cognac ain't going anywhere now. eventually the more balsamic qualities come forward with warm amber, sweet myrrh and smokey grassy olibanum combo with an obvious cigar box cedar and ever so slight nutty tonka! it all comes together smooth and clean with a very methodical roughness. it gives me marakech vibes, sun torched dry red clay buildings. but also a cozy solo night with a nice drink and cigar in hand. my god this shit is amazing... so well blended unique take on a boozy fragrance. i didnt think i could love the encre noire line more. then this is a gem comes. sadly its so hard to get a hold of. you can buy it for like 140 or smth on lalique's official website but thats a lot. however its a genuine niche quality offering from a designer so i am gonna say its worth it. its dry, airy, boozy, smokey, woody, earthy scent with a complexity that challenges you. projects modestly, performance is good. longevity for me is about 7 hours. not so versatile tbh. another instant favorite

From the very first spray, I was quite surprised by the rather complex scent that OMBRE NOIRE delivered. In the opening, the fragrance bursts forth with a strong note of cognac, blended with dry fig leaves—not the fresh green leaves from the garden, but rather a dark, slightly pungent, dried scent that creates an unusual yet intriguing experience. Bergamot steps in to soften the sharpness of the cognac, making the overall opening smooth and pleasant. About 30 minutes later, notes of cinnamon and dry tobacco become more prominent, merging seamlessly with the cognac and a hint of mint. The scent now feels sweeter, evoking the image of a wine cellar filled with large oak barrels and bunches of dried herbs hanging overhead. As the fragrance transitions to the dry-down, the herbal notes subside, leaving a warm, comforting blend of sweet liquor, cinnamon, and tobacco. It feels like sipping a glass of cognac in a small, elegant bar on a chilly evening, while soft jazz music plays in the background. What disappoints me a bit about OMBRE NOIRE is its performance: the scent projects less than an arm’s length and lasts on my skin for about 4 hours before fading to a nearly imperceptible trail. On clothing, it fares a bit better, lasting around 8 hours. Nevertheless, I still consider OMBRE NOIRE a truly unique fragrance, perfect for those who love boozy notes and a classic style. It definitely deserves a place in my collection. “A good perfume doesn’t need to shout, it just needs to whisper at the right time.” — If you love the story it tells, keep it close!

It opens with a medicinal dry mint, supported by a vegetal accord, here described as fig leaf. Shortly after, a very dry cinnamon (non-foody, closer cinnamon leaf) will take the lead and when combined with incense and tonka, will give an impression of a boozy cigar. The base is all about a dry/dusty myrrh (the main player) and cedar. More than tobacco and booze, this is a fragrance that focuses on a spicy myrrh (indeed giving a bit the impression of a non foody masala), reminding me a bit of Diptyque L'Eau Trois, without the aromatic part, and with an added cinnamon/tonka combo adding a bit of roundness (I love it, despite cinnamon and tonka are some of my least favorite notes). It also vaguely reminds me of Unum Io Non Ho Mani and LV Incensi. I might still slightly favor L'Eau Trois over this one, because of a stronger olibanum note, slightly more depth and better performance. I can see where the comparison with Aramis Tobacco Reserve (that I dislike) come from, but here it's brought to the next level, the tonka is kept quiet, and there's no lavender. Still, a great dry boozy incense fragrance and for sure a reference in the myrrh dept, that I highly recommend if one can spot it for its original online price (around $70). A keeper in my wardrobe! Better for colder days, leans a bit masculine, but anyone could wear it easily. Note: who prefers a slightly a slightly honeyed, Chergui-esque warmer take on the hay/tobacco theme (without falling into gourmand territory) might want to go for Or Intemporel 1888, also by Lalique.

Lalique is an exemplary fragrance house. They do not flood the market with hurried, cash grab releases or endless flankers. Their offerings are well thought out, each occupying an individual position in their own fragrance firmament, each projecting a specific vibe. There is little if any redundancy at all. Each Lalique fragrance is artistically well-conceived, never generic, and of good quality. Of course, their bottle design is superb. Ombré Noir is Lalique’s men’s oriental fragrance, their most daring release in my opinion, Encre Noir included. This one is not related to anything in their existing opus. It omits the vetiver/cypress heart that constitutes the successful Encre Noir DNA, and does not remotely resemble anything else in their lineup. Perhaps the geographically limited initial release informs us of the house’s doubts that Ombré would appeal to Western noses. It’s still hard to find and somewhat expensive compared to their other scents. And what a scent it is! Virtually all of the notes have middle-eastern origins and blend so nicely together. The olibanum and myrrh really shine here, with tobacco and papyrus lending a desert-like dryness. Cinnamon in this is used as a true spice, not dessert-imagine eating straight cinnamon bark: dry and exotic. Cognac gives depth and sensuality while fig leaf and mint add just a touch of green sharpness, albeit subtle. It has nothing in common with modern mass market trendiness. This is one to just wear for yourself and appreciate its beauty.

I just got this fragrance so I can’t speak to the longevity or performance really. But I will say This scent is unique and I can’t recall ever smelling fig leaf in a fragrance before. To me its beautiful juice & niche quality in my opinion. This is definitely for the colder time of year. Me personally I would wear this on a night out with friends or maybe a date. I have more expensive options and I would still choose this. Love everything about this scent its something you should try if you like woody aromatic spicy fragrances than this is probably for you! It reminds me a bit of Carliles by PDM with added fig but obviously way more affordable... I also enjoy the aroma chemical for cognac to me its just such a beautiful finish. Highly recommend this stuff—especially for the price. I also hear that this is hard to find sometimes... so when you can get it at discounters grab it. Cheers! Update: This has become one of my favorite scents in my collection. I always found fig to be challenging... I got feminine vibes from it and I didn’t want to walk around smelling like fig-newtons. I digress, the fig leaf here is more masculine it’s earthier & richer I think than just normal fig, so if you mix that with some booz you got this beautiful creation. Recently I purchased a bunch of angel share dupes...one being Khamra. I would wear this any day over any of that garbage. Also I think we are in the perfect time of year to start using this beauty.

Lalique Ombre Noire is like a midnight adventure bottled up. This one’s got a deep, smoky vibe with just the right punch of spice to keep you intrigued. When you first spray it on, it’s like stepping into a room filled with incense and shadows—mysterious but somehow comforting. There’s a hit of mint that comes out first, but don’t expect anything minty-fresh; it’s more like a touch of cool in the dark. Then things get more intense. You’ll notice this peppery heat that mingles with cinnamon and tobacco, which is the real star here. It’s warm, a bit sweet, but mostly like an old-school gentlemen's club—think leather armchairs, cigars, and quiet conversations. The base is where it settles into a cozy, woody finish with a smoldering amber feel. Patchouli and vetiver give it an earthy, grounded vibe, but it’s never too rough. By now, it’s wrapped around you like a soft, smoky blanket. Longevity? This stuff hangs on like it’s got a secret to tell—easily 4 to 6 hours. And the sillage? Let’s just say Ombre Noire makes an entrance, leaving a subtle, smoky trail that lingers in the air just enough to keep them guessing It’s not for everyone, though! Ombre Noire is for those who like their scents a little daring and moody, maybe even leaning a bit mysterious. Perfect for cool nights, thick sweaters, and maybe a candlelit room. Not for the faint-hearted but definitely unforgettable.

I just got this fragrance so I can’t speak to the longevity or performance really. But I will say This scent is unique and I can’t recall ever smelling fig leaf in a fragrance before. To me its beautiful juice & niche quality in my opinion. This is definitely for the colder time of year. Me personally I would wear this on a night out with friends or maybe a date. I have more expensive options and I would still choose this. Love everything about this scent its something you should try if you like woody aromatic spicy fragrances than this is probably for you! It reminds me a bit of Carliles by PDM with added fig but obviously way more affordable... I also enjoy the aroma chemical for cognac to me its just such a beautiful finish. Highly recommend this stuff—especially for the price. I also hear that this is hard to find sometimes... so when you can get it at discounters grab it. Cheers! Update: This has become one of my favorite scents in my collection. I alway found fig to be challenging... I got feminine vibes from it and I didn’t want to walk around smelling like fig-newtons. I digress, the fig leaf here is more masculine it’s dirtier than just normal fig, so if you mix that with some booz you got this beautiful creation. Recently I purchased a bunch of angel share dupes...one being Khamra. I would wear this any day over any of that garbage. Grab this before you can’t!

Just got my bottle been on the look for this fragrance for over 3 years now finally got it! Upon initial spray I asked myself why did I hunt this fragrance for so long as in the air it smells very close to mauboussin Une Historie d'Homme Irresistible which I already have and its readily available for much cheaper while this is very hard to find and it cost 67 euros! However when I put my nose deep into where I applied the fragrance I get what others refer to as Indian masala/kitchen spices for me it comes across more as spicy cumin rather than Indian masala, this is also in comparison to mauboussin is a bit spicier with some booziness, opposite to encre noire extreme which wowed me from the first spray had I known how close this smell in the air to mauboussin I would've saved my money am not saying it's bad but I am waiting to detect the booziness and the tobacco and the resins, I will leave to mature for few weeks and hopefully when it starts to get cooler I will get back to it and see how it developed! Edit: this is really beautiful on dry down, after few hours I get a strong full body wet tobacco mixed with booze and I get thick dense resins however the performance is a big let down this fragrance doesn't project at all and hard to detect however I got shy wafts from it, Longevity is OK, I wish this has projected better

If you love tobacco get a bottle while you still can, I have 4 in my stock as this is a signature scent for me. If you are familiar with L'occitane's Eau Des Baux, it's the same perfumer who created both. They are in the same category in terms of the spicy/ warm profile, im not saying they smell alike, just saying both are spicy and warm. I layer both sometimes. The main obvious notes in this composition is congiac, tobacco, fig leaf, and cinnamon, after the initial opening what you'll be left with is a warm tobacco and cinnamon, with a back ground of congiac. This is my second most complimented perfume, especially from females, "females like cinnamon" I guess. Id pay double or triple the price for this anyday of week. If you like the original spice bomb you'll love this. Regarding the similarity to mauboussin's, yes they have similar backbone, you can think of mauboussin's as the summer version of ombre noire, so there's a similarity, but it wont replace Ombre Noire. Regarding the performance, allow it to macerate, it will give you 4 to 5 hours, don't be afraid to overspray, it will create a warm cloud around you. Fall/ winter scent, masculine, unique, over 28 Bottle is great, you'll love it on your shelf, photos don't do it justice.

Initially the fragrance came off as overly woody for me. It was a harsh, dark, smoky woodiness like burning wood but slightly synthetic. The dry down brings out the sweet+spicy notes, and resins. The projection could be better. I gave it a low rating but had to change my mind later. After some time (maybe due to maceration?), the 'harsh' 'overly woody' vibes went away and it's possibly one of my favorite cold weather scent profiles ever. I just wish it had better projection. For those of you who hate it as first, give it like half a week. I was just using it casually at home as a daily and eventually a creamy boozy smoky woodyness (but nice smoky) with tobacco, spice, and resins came out. I don't regret it anymore like I did initially. Great fragrance for wood/tobacco/boozy/amber lovers. Great price. Scent: 10/10 Projection: 5/10 Sillage: 5/10 Longevity: 6.5/10 Summer Update: Wow, this scent really shines in the summer. The heat really brings out all the notes that seemed muted in the cold.The summer heat kicks the projection up to an 8/10 and the sillage slightly above and 8. Longevity also increases. I'm convinced this scent is meant to be warn in the heat to be a pleasant reminder that fall and winter are around the corner.

This is beautiful, rich but not heavy, complex but not fussy, and sophisticated in a way I associate with Lalique. I've blind bought this, Encre Noir, Encre Noir a la Extreme, Encre Indigo, and Pour Homme (Lion), and been very happy with all of them. The taste level is very reliable across the board. The only one I was less satisfied with is Encre Indigo Sport - but even that is just fine on a hot summer day when you're trying not to smell bad, as opposed to actually trying to smell good. I keep a bottle at the office for just that reason. This is the best batting average of what I consider winners, of any house I've been interested in - and that includes CDG, Chanel, Hermes and Guerlain. Factor in the price tag and this is absolutely my favorite house for value for money. If you like any of these, you should probably check out the others. Conversely, if any of these make you shudder in horror, the others probably will too. PS I read somewhere that Bentley (I recommend Bentley Intense) is made by Lalique, and Intense has a similar taste level, quality, appeal, and value for money. A word to the wise. PPS: I'm 62. If you're in your 20s, these are probably not the fragrance profile for you - but who knows?

Lalique does it time and time again, Lalique is quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite fragrance house, every single one of their fragrances I have had the pleasure of trying have been of absolutely phenomenal quality. Ombre Noire Lalique is one of my favorite fragrances of all time and I find myself reaching for it time and time again. There's nothing I can say about this fragrance that hasn't already been said better in other user reviews below, I will however say that I am on my 3rd and 4th bottle in the last 2 years alone (it's in stock of Fragrancenet for $62 right now) and it absolutely needs maceration to resch its full potential. If you buy a bottle or even a decant, please macerate the juice. I see reviews below complaining about certain unpleasant characteristics and these are all things that macerating/oxidizing this juice for a minimum of 30-60 days completely fixes. This is a 10/10 fragrance and I personally wear it even in the warmer months, despite the heavier notes, it does not become cloying except in extreme heat. Women love ONL (this is probably my wife's favorite fragrance on me). Enjoy gentlemen, but make sure to macerate!

This. Is. Stunning. A little bit different perhaps from most other reviews, I think this is the tobacco frag for all the seasons (yes even in summer). Perhaps a little bit sweet, but not too cloying IMO. It's got that slight mint & fig & bergamot opening to make it light enough to wear this type of woody boozy DNA in the heat. It has that distinct olibanum flavour that carries the spicy ambery base through all the different stages of this fragrance. Unlike Encre Noir & the A L'Extreme, this one does take a few sprays & some time for the juice to really macerate & mature. I'm hoping the somewhat smokey sour note means that it continues to age like fine wine or barrel whisky. Performance wise, I was certainly mistaken to think that it would not last long or project well when I first sprayed, but this one has a sweet lingering presence, almost like Xerjoff's Alexandria II. It is subtle in it's appeal, & not forthright intense or beastly, but creates an olfactory allure that draws people in closer. A perfume like this is like a spray on liquid seduction. This one gets me unsolicited compliments. Another Lalique masterpiece.

Looking at the notes of this fragrance I decided to, for the first time ever, do a proper blind buy. I enjoy amber-y, tobacco-y fragrances and adore the dimension cognac gave to Angel's Share and fig is one of my favourite notes so this seemed like a dream fragrance. Having received the fragrance, an honest review of this is to say that it smells very close to if you've ever smelt frankincense before its been burnt. I cannot really pick up much with my nose but this! And I'm not even mad! I've been looking all round for a fragrance like this and stumbled upon it with a crazy blind buy. To me it really evokes the feeling of the markets in Marrakech or Jerusalem where incense is burnt in the cobbled alleys. I really love this smell and therefore this fragrance but I have to say that at least half of the perfume pyramid is undetectable. Please take my word that this is a pure, high-quality, picture-perfect frankincense scent. Scent: 9/10 (Wonderful frankincense) Value for money: 10/10 (if you can find it at discounters around £50) (I can't speak on performance yet since I haven't properly tested that yet)

I get right away a blast of bergamot, that will just last a few seconds, followed by a stunning damp tobacco note, vaguley reminding me of the tobacco in TF Tobacco Oud (just the tobacco note). In the drydowm, the cinnamon and booze notes will appear more obviously, joined by animalic myrrh and cedar. DrNDJas nailed the review of this one, so there's little to add at this point. The only regret might be its modest performance on my skin. One particularity might be its marketing, that has been one of the weirdest around: never showed up on Lalique's websites (neither France or US), sold directly at discounter and finally totally sold out online... but appeared in Lalique bricks and mortar stores. In summary, a good boozy/resinous tobacco that I wish I had caught when it was priced around ~$50 online. The full retail price is a bit of a dealbreaker for me, but might still be an interesting choice for who is looking for a Fall masculine oriental fragrance, even if, imho, it misses the "great" level by an inch (like most of Lalique's frags). Still, very solid. Fall evenings, 25+