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+

So here's the scoop: At first spritz, I witnessed a nod to Encre Noire with a short, but deliberate, dry, inky, graphite-like vetiver. Maybe that’s the noire part, the smokiness, but get this...there’s no Vetiver listed here whatsoever. So how do they do that? Dunno... Moving on, once the “vetiver” settles down, and it does so quickly, the next wave is a boozy, yet dry tobacco that is very reminiscent of the now discontinued Balmain Carbone de Balmain. Boozy tabac leads to resinous myrrh, peppered with cinnamon, but not enough to evoke Cinnabon—no, this is far too refined for pedestrian pastries. It’s evolving into a cedar base with other resinous notes and citrus and maybe dried fruit playing peek-a-boo, keeping it light and not too dour. This is RIGHT up my alley for a Fall fragrance which I will defiantly wear whenever the heck I feel like it because it’s a great, niche-like fragrance that’s practically free. Well, not quite, but you’ll hardly need to save up for this one. Did I mention how terrific this fragrance is?

This is outstanding. This has elements of Amouage Enclave, Amouage Memoir Man, and Tom Ford Plum Japonais. The mint mixed with cinnamon gives you the Enclave vibe, The myrrh and cedar give off the resins and woodiness you get from Memoir, and the fig leaf combo with bergamot and cognac give off the fruitiness and boozy vibe you get from Plum Japonais. Out of the three this smells to me more like Plum Japonais than the other two but you can see their elements in this fragrance clearly. I didn't like Plum Japonais because of the florals in it and to me that made it too feminine for my liking. Ombre Noir is a more masculine version of Plum Japonais with there being no florals and tobacco added to it and this is a major GO for me. I LOVE THIS JUICE!!! Damn shame this is discontinued but if you can get your hands on this at a good price then get it while you can. Standing ovation for me, Lalique. P.S. I wore this out to a work conference and had 9 people ask what I was wearing. This is a compliment monster.

Ombre Noire opens with a refreshingly, slight tartiness due to an amalgam of mint, fig leaf and bergamot, that smoothly transitions toward a heart straddled with rich tobacco strains and a powdery cinnamon bark, nimbly rounded by papyrus that delivers a notably Eastern, distinctive, arid earthiness to the entire accord. This dry nuance is sumptuously ripened by the plummy depth of cognac, and the ritual blessing of myrhh and incense on a dry cedar tableau of sprinkled coumarin. The end result is a dulcet oriental of an opaque 'masala' richness, thankfully far from the kitchen variety, and more in line with the graceful trail of opulence... The underrated Lalique continues to impress with its nearly borderline audacity and its fluid creativity to the designer game. Ombre Noire was a Middle Eastern exclusive yet deserves to be sought out and universally embraced especially by those who appreciate redolent fragrances. Beautiful!

WOW, Gorgeous Fragrance! Elegant, Classy, Spicy, Woody, Boozy, Complex and Unique. In my opinion, Lalique Ombre Noire is a Hidden Gem and A Modern Masterpiece. This is a Complex Scent and It changes from the opening up to the dry down. It smells so heavenly and very pleasant, You can't go wrong with it. I bought it blind-buy after reading the positive comments from Fragrance buy. Ca , I'm so happy that I found it and I have it in my collection. Lalique Ombre Noire has High Quality Composition Similar to Niche Perfume with reasonable price. It opens up slightly sweet fresh spicy, green and spices notes in the background then dry down is semi sweet boozy, balsamic, warm spicy and woody. This is perfect for the Cold Weather. I really enjoy it and I love it. Longevity is good, Highly Recommended. Two Thumbs Up. Bravo Lalique ! Rating : 9 / 10

A masterful blend of spices, tobacco, cognac, and woods, with truly remarkable fresh and aromatic accents. Very distinctive yet easy to wear and completely “safe.” The boozy facet is present but remains refined and delicate. Some notes in the pyramid are hard to isolate (such as fig leaf), but the overall result is impressive. An energizing fragrance that simultaneously evokes feelings of well-being, serenity, and comfort. Ideal for autumn and winter evenings, but generally suitable for any situation below 20°C (68°F). High-quality ingredients. Definitely masculine. A "quasi-masterpiece" from Lalique, with its only flaw being the performance: on skin it lasts barely 4 hours before becoming a skin scent, with rather modest projection. In any case, it’s truly a crime that it’s now discontinued.

This is a masculine signature scent of the highest order. It achieves the trifecta: a boozy warmth, a dry tobacco-leaf heart, and an opening so green it borders on shadowy. The synergy is, quite simply, mind-boggling. However, chemistry demands precision. This is not a blind buy. The molecular weight is substantial; this requires a mature nose accustomed to complexity over instant gratification. It is emphatically not "kids' stuff." It is a fragrance that must be worn, not sprayed. 8/10. Points deducted only for its demanding nature, not its composition. Perfect for a formal evening when you require an aura of quiet confidence, or for dating when you wish to be remembered as the man who smelled of dark wood, old books, and a very fine cognac. A fantastic specimen.

This is truly a stunning masterpiece of perfumery!!! I've been collecting now for about three and a half years and while I always love it when I make blind buys based on what I learn from this site and it works out perfectly. But I would have to say, what's better than that is when you buy something and you like it right away, but slowly all, after every wear, you gradually become more and more enamored with a fragrance until you just end up wearing it two, three or more days in row. It's one that grows on you and you can't wait to get the chance to sniff it again and again. The quality of the juice and presentation are TOP NOTCH, Lalique is a very reputable house and this perfumer has a LOT of big hits under her belt, so I say check it out as soon as you can!!!

I'm a fan. Lovely boozy amber and spice opening. It does quickly dry and then, for a moment, it seemingly disappears on my skin only to later reappear in the afternoon with a soft pillowy sillage which is my favorite part. Last Friday coming home from work a neighbor stopped me outside unloading my groceries noting how incredible I smelled. For a fragrance known to stay close to the skin I found that cute. I'd guess this one needs to work into the skin a bit. Based on the price and hamstrung availability I'd go as far to say that this is blind buy worthy for fans of spicy tobacco ambers who don't mind a softer fragrance that can seemingly disappear for a while. Otherwise it's rather a well behaved and incredibly handsome scent that's ideal for the fall. 9.5/10

This is an amazing blend. Papyrus and cypriol notes do very well on my skin and the Papyrus in this gives it a much more interesting scent than comparable fragrances. It is such a shame it is only available direct from Lalique’s site. I wish I could get a bottle from a discounter. The resin base is sublime and the tobacco is barely noticeable on me, which is good because I don’t always like tobacco notes. If I guessed, I would say the fig leaf and the myrrh temper the tobacco. The fig isn’t strong, but the fig note I get is more green like L’Artisan’s Premier Figuier and less fruity like Balade Sauvage, Fig Infusion, Fico di Amalfi or Philosykos. Honestly, I don’t really consider this a fig scent but more a resinous, smoky, aromatic papyrus.

Finally got my hands on a bottle of this beauty. It reminds me quite a few of other Lalique fragrances like Encre Noir, Hommage a L'Homme Voyageur, Glorious Indigo, and Fleur Universelle. But also different from all. It's a very nice warm woody spicy scent that I love. It tickles a part of my memory that I cannot figure out what it was but feels good. I had very high hopes for this and it does deliver. Longevity could be better. It's sad that you can't find it in discounters. I was in Paris, and I could not even sample this at any of Lalique galleries. I made my decision to get a bottle and I am happy I did. If you like the frags I listed above then you need to get this. It's very masculine but not loud.

This is the closest thing I've found to something that I might consider making a signature scent. I absolutely adore this in every way. Do not fear the bitter green notes! They are not overpowering or distracting whatsoever, they make the blend next level beautiful without seeming too classical or french. A modern masterpeice IMO Unfortunatley it projects terribley and the heart of the fragrance dosent last that long either. Base notes last a long time though no complaints there, just wish the heart lasted that long. This is one of those bottles you love, overspray, and have to buy a new one.. Maybe not the best route considering it's discontinued..... :(

I second the review by "Ed Wardian" below; well put. Since I blasted this beast for the first time, I was trying to put my finger on what it reminded me of; thought "Palo santo? No. Some sort of incense? Not quite. Mahaleb, cardamom? Pretty much, but not just those." The answer is "garam masala." It's a bold, opulent, heady oriental scent that doesn't shy away from squeezing in a whole spice market into a bottle to the brim, complete with a touch of traditionally "desert-y" elements such as dried fig, cinnamon & cognac; which adds up to a handsome olfactory pyramid. Enormous projection & sillage. I can definitely see it as a signature autumn scent.

Purchased about 6-8 months ago, liked it but not a love for me. Set it way back in my fragrance collection, in the dark and not sprayed since. Got it out about 3 weeks ago, just to see if I noticed a change. Time made this fragrance bloom into a beautiful, sophisticated, sexy work of art! I literally can't keep my nose off of my arm where I spray. Coca-Cola, tobacco, fine spices, Tonka bean, Bergamot and a boozy note to tie it all together. A masterpiece from the first spray to the dry down. I'm have picked up two more bottles. My lady loves this scent on me and always buries her nose deep in my neck when I wear it. Smells like class.

I've had my flacon since 2017 (102087f17) and still think it's a beautiful fragrance with unfortunate performance. Though it claims to be an EdP - and an oriental chypre at that - the longevity is suspiciously EdT, especially for base notes that usually last 7-9 hours with my other fragrances. Encre Noir a l'Extreme is also guilty of this, with that flacon going on over 8 years now. Maceration didn't change things, with the silage and performance staying the same throughout their entire time on my (shaded) shelf. Technicalities aside, this is a gorgeous scent and deserves a remix as a concentrate / elixir.

This is an amber that is created by other notes (i.e. Amber accord) Tobacco is wet and slightly sweet, and I'm getting leather like note that might resemble Cummin, fig leaves aren't prominent, but it gives the fragrance some rounded-ness. I'm not familiar with the Cognac note TBH. If you are amber lover and you want to explore it from a different angle there's a great chance you'll love this fragrance... 9/10 for me But it is not mass-bleasing It's not so versatile and its performance isn't great. Update: I used it the warmer days with caution, and it developed wonderfully and it had citrus facets to it.

For me, Encre Noir, Ombre Noir, and Encre Indigo are the Lalique trinity. And this Ombre Noir is simply nestled among my Chopard Malaki's. Everything is gorgeous for the festive month of December; every day is a celebration, even if you're not actually at the party yet, but it's all about the celebration. - Encre Noir, Ombre Noir en Encre Indigo zijn voor mij de Drie-eenheid van Lalique. Daarnaast staat deze Ombre Noir bij mij gewoon tussen de Chopard Malaki's. Alles prachtig voor de feestmaand december, iedere dag een feest ook als je nog niet concreet op het feest bent, maar alles om het feest draait.

Nose Note #645 Wow, this absolutely blew my mind... This happens so rarely. This is about one of the most special fragrances that I've ever smelled that wasn't weirdly niche. This is just a super unique very masculine dark perfume, but it's so beautiful I want to wear it all year. A very special blend of tobacco, a lot of spices and a lot of lovely myrrh. This could be a flanker for Dior Bois d'Argent, but must say this is far superior to Bois d'Argent in terms of craftsmanship and performance. You just have to try it. Believe me, you look at the notes, but the smell is unimaginable. 9.5/10, amazing

Absolutely fantastic fragrance and at an incredible price! I've always loved the Congac, wooden barrel accord of Killian Angels Share but I find Angels Share itself too sweet for me. Ombre Noir hits the boozy, aged wooden barrel notes perfectly but without going in to sweet of a direction. If you like fragrances like Angel Share, you will really appreciate this masterpiece from Lalique. Won't break the bank either! Sillage is pretty good for the first 3 hours or so and then you will catch waffs of it throughout the rest of it's fantastic longevity, which is 8+ hours.

Damn. ok now that i'm ready, let me tell u what this is. imagine a glass turned upside down on top of a wood smoker, with bits of cedar burning inside then flipped and filled with those luxurious clear af ice cubes with an expensive not-so-fullbodied cognac poured on top and mixed with a bit of a melted ice and garnished with lime. there's a bitter citrus leaf going on through the entire wear and i suspect there's even vetiver maybe. overall ABSOLUTELY AWESOME and it lasts considering that it's not vanillary (at least to me) or musky. and Lalique does it yet again.

الإغراء الغريب لعطر Ombre Noire LALIQUE مزيجاً رائعاً من الشرق والغرب ؛ ومستوحي من موضة الأومبيري، برائحة وتكوين متوازن مع دفء النوتات الشرقية والراتنجات والتوابل. تقدم الطبقة العليا الساطعة مرارة البرغموت، النعناع الجليدي وأوراق التين الخضراء والعطرية التي تؤدي إلى طبقات أكثر دفئا. و قلب التكوين هو حار مريح وحلو بنفس الوقت وهو أكثر قوة من النضارة الأولي، بينما خلال تطور العطر، يتم تأكيد سهولة الرائحة من قبل اتفاق متكافئة من التبغ والكونياك. قاعدة العطر تجمع سخونة الطبقة المصنوعة من الراتنجات الغنية، التونكا والبلسم. سيمفونية جديدة تضاف لمكتبتي العطرية الخاصة 💪

Lalique You're known for your glasmaking chic Other than that I couldn't say any mo(i)re Except that I really like Encre Noire Some gentlemen lament that you smell like curry So naturally I started to worry 40€ sounded to me like a deal Worst case scenario I'd smell like a scrumptious, indian meal I finally got you & opened the cap One spray later, I was transported onto Santa's lap He smoked tobacco out of a cinnamon pipe As he downed half a bottle of 'gnac in one swipe I warned him to cool it with the consumption Or he'd die of a myocardial infarction

This is a top 5 fragrance for me, perhaps higher. Dark spicy notes with the tonka bean and tobacco being satisfyingly present during the dry down. This is a mesmerising fragrance, and once it fades the remnants of the spice and fig leave me with a body smell reminiscent of what you’d get at the end of a hot day on the Cycladic islands, when the warm wind makes the smell of fig leaf ubiquitous. This fragrance falls into the antique shop category in that it brings out an atmosphere that is wholly nostalgic. Simple as that. 9.5/10, I’m buying more.

Joe Smells Good on YouTube sent me a sample of this. Really sophisticated and complex. A lot going on. Of the warm spicy men’s frags I’ve smelled this one stands above probably 95% of them. Spicy, resinous, and slightly soapy. A kind of smoothness that’s lacking in many scents of this variety. No sweetness to speak of, which is a plus for me. Not one I’d expect to smell on a young guy at the mall, more like something a Bruce Wayne type would wear if he spent more time in his library than in his batcave.

Gucci Pour Homme 3 - which is what this should have been... it even has a similar bottle style. The scent has similar profile to both GPH1 and GHP2. Could have easily been a flanker to either one of those fragrances. These types of scents tend to stay close to skin after a few hours, I found similar case with GPH1. This one is definitely a hidden gem which I highly recommend if you're into boozy/tobacco scents. Woody, resin, boozy and a hint of sweetness - what an amazing fragrance. 10/10

I just blind bought this fragrance and it did not miss. First 5 minutes pure alcohol but then it becomes a very rich,dark,mild sweet,tobacco,cognac goodness. You can wear this all year round, even in summer but at night. This is my first lalique fragrance and boy oh boy this is good, very mature and well crafted. Smell - 10/10 Performance - 5.5/10 (first 2 hours 8/10) Longevity - 8.5/10 (good 9 hours) I think maceration for 3 months would be necessary in any type of situation.

I just received my bottle in the mail. In the opening it reminds me of the Encre Noire lines then it transitions into something faint but nice. That dry down has a similarity to Une Histoire Irresistible Maoboussin or even better which gets the most vote to what frag this is comparable to, must be because it’s created by the same nose. So far it’s a gorgeous frag with a reasonable price tag. I still have to gauge its longevity and performance so few more wearings. Brb 🙌 8/10 👍

Sometimes I really struggle wondering why many of the fragrances I enjoy the most tend to perform the worst for me. That isn't the case all of the time, but it certainly is here. Both this and and the maboussin (also perfumed by KDS) are incredible fragrances, handicapped by subtle performance. One can only assume that she wanted them to perform this way? Regardless, Ombre Noire is fantastic, and if you are more of a conservative soul, then this might fit you like a glove.

Fascinating woody scent with warm spicy,brandy,cinnamon and frankincense components. The perfume itself is excellent. Unfortunately, I bought Encre Noire L’Extreme and Ombré Noire, and their caps are both defective. The bottle caps were very tight and difficult to open. When I finally opened them, I found that the nozzle bases were stuck inside the caps. Lalique has poor quality control over the bottle caps of its perfume products. I hope my next Lalique would be normal .

The opening is stunning. It reminds me the booze note of Apple Brandy by Kilian, without the apple note of course. Boozy, woody, and a little smoky in the background. The tobacco is very nice and is not in your face, it’s subtle, which I like. Great fragrance. I am stocking up, just in case. Spring, Fall, Winter fragrance. Even summer night out (2 sprays and that’s it). It’s not beast mode, and I like it that way. If I need more punch, I use Apple Brandy on the rocks.

Phenomenal woody, sweet scent that feels like fall in a bottle. Lightly resinous. My immediate thought upon spraying for the first time was of a backyard full of orange, red and yellow leaves. I do wish it performed better, but longevity is okay off of clothing. I'm sure they have their reasons, but it's a shame this has been discontinued. If you like these kinds of scents, I suggest you pick up a bottle while they're still available.