Citrus Noir

I've been trying out a number of unisex citruses as of late. It's my impression that the vast majority of citrus fragrances fall into only a few sub-types. There's the light and fresh variety that's usually distinctly green and even watery over being deeper, more complex and aromatic. There's the sweet, feminine and summery kind that mostly makes use of orange, mandarin and bergamot and then the kind that's a more masculine fragrance where citrus actually takes a passenger seat behind vetiver and pepper for example. This is not something that fits into those catecories to me. What I love about Citrus Noir is how it defies all the usual tropes while remaining a distinctly citrus fragrance and without being overcomplicated at the same time. To me it's something that won't be out of place in any season and can adapt to a lot of different occasions. It's inoffensive enough to be worn in a work environment, but complex and long lasting enough to be worn out for an occasion. It has a freshness, but in a darker, rather than light and airy way, courtesy of the cypress. I love the pepper in this which becomes more prominent as it warms on the skin. The incence isn't particularly strong, nor the elemi or amber and it's hard to distinguish them, but they transform and elevate the citruses and pepper to something that theoretically isn't unique but that somehow still manages to surprise, because even though citrus fragrances are very common I can't think of a single fragrance that doesn't lean significantly towards any of the sub-types I mentioned. There's only a little bit of sweetness in this and the vetiver doesn't dominate over the cypress, citrus notes or pepper. This is probably one of my most successful blind buys ever, but its supposed neutrality is deceptive because this is not everyone's citrus.

My personal opinion on Molinard is that it is possibly the most underrated fragrance house we have. They get very little love in the community, which I find a real shame but can’t help feeling that they’ve lost their way in the morass of the current market. From this new La Fraîcheur line, I picked up Citrus Noir last week and I’m very happy to report that it is absolutely wonderful! An unusual spicy, dry-peppery citrus that has surprisingly good longevity for the style of fragrance & perfect for summer...... to the point where I immediately ordered two more bottles. In fact, it does remind me of Lalique White in regards of the dry-peppery accord but with a natural amped-up citrus at the opening: it’s more a grated citrus peel than juicy citrus to me but certainly, this suits the overall dryness very well & the Elemi resin supports it wonderfully. The florals are very light in the middle, as are the Vetiver & Amber in the base but they support the lightness beautifully. I can’t say that I find the incense/smoky accord too noticeable but that’s not a bad thing, as it would be too domineering if it were. I’m really looking forward to trying the rest of the line, although with a heavy hit of Calone in a couple of them, I’m a bit wary but certainly worth a test.

Citrus Noir by Molinard is a refined, quietly sophisticated citrus fragrance with a dark twist. Sparkling citruses open bright and crisp, soon joined by subtle spices and a whisper of smoky woods that add depth and intrigue. You can clearly sense the use of high-quality ingredients, which gives the composition a polished, luxurious feel. Thanks to vetiver it manages to stay fresh yet slightly mysterious, perfect for those who enjoy a citrus scent that isn’t just another sunny cologne. Scent: 4/5 Longevity & Projection: 0.5/1 Presentation: 0/0 Quality/Price Ratio: 2/2 Compliment Factor: 0.5/1 Uniqueness: 0.5/1 Overall: 7.5/10 Office-friendly: Yes Blind buy: Yes Recommended age: 30+ Occasion: versatile, semi-formal, casual, leisure Season: Spring, Summer, early Fall

Very unique fragrance. It's citrus, herbal, woody and peppery, giving this citrus freshie some character. I don't think I smelled anything quite like it, it's like a dark citrus that gives me the same type of vibe as eau de citron from hermes, although they don't really smell similar. The incense is the dark horse, not overwhelming the fragrance but certainly peaking out and showing it's presence. Overall this is a nice fragrance that you wear when you are tired of the typical citrus woods combos you see everywhere. Edit: The more I wear this the more I like it, just a unique scent and long lasting especially for a freshie.

I own about 300 fragrances at this point. This gets the most compliments. It’s refreshing, green citrusy, and addictive. If this was made by any other niche house, it would cost $400 for 100 ML.

It is an interesting perfume! I can clearly smell milky sandalwood on my skin after the top note although it does not mention on the list. Worth buying!

Reviewing a bottle from 2025. Citrus Noir was launched in 2019. This is a suprisingly good citrus aromatic woody fragrance. Citrus Noir opens with smooth, not screechy, fragrant citruses ( calamansi, citron and bergamot). These citruses are balanced by a touch of elemi and spice ( pepper and calamus). Over time an aromatic woody freshness from vetiver and cypress add depth rounded out by clean mildly indolic jasmine. Incense and amber at the base are unobtrusive - there to support the longevity and add complexity - something which I find missing in many citrus forward scents. Quality ingredients with no off-putting notes. Well blended - no perfumer is listed but whoever created this should be commended. Quality- excellent Unisex Performance- good sillage, lasts 3-4 hours on my dry skin which is great for a citrus scent Overall, Citrus Noir is an underrated gem as well as a bargain. One of my fresh hot weather reaches along with Un Jardin en Mediteranne, Neroli Amara and Saharienne. 7/10

As always am mourning the short presence of the citrus sensation, still the dry down is not uninspiring. Definitely not a cheap, boring smell! Agree with others , more leaning to the maskuline side.

Sparkling lemon-lime soda with a tinge of earthy, smoky spice. Like black pepper sprinkled over an ice-cold glass of Sprite. Moderately soft projection fades to skin over 2-3hr, longevity 10-12hr.

Citruses are the most fleeting of all notes. So the question becomes: where to go to after that opening? Molinard and Hermes have chosen different directions. Hermes Citron Noir quickly becomes an ambroxan scent - not a bad ambroxan, but still too heavy for the summer for my nose. Molinard Citrus Noir smells like a mix of Iso E Super, cashmeran and vetiverol. You know: that cozy, soft musk-wood of sawdust and pencil shavings, like if trees emitted their own type of wood musk to attract... hmm other trees to copulate? So this is 15 minutes of nice smoky citron and then hours of pencil shavings. It's nice, light and won't displease anyone.

I have this, and am a true Molinard STAN. If you want niche perfumery without the price tag, they are my go to. Every one of the bottles I have in my collection including their repro of Habanita have been sleeper hits with surprising twists. They take risks you wouldn’t expect and are definitely for the more adventurous. They’re unique, but approachable. Citrus Noir is the ideal citrus scent for someone like me whose interest in citrus typically consists of bergamot & orange blossom. It opens with a burst of super realistic yuzu (lemon, lime, & grapefruit all in one without the bitterness) then, there is a beautiful woodsy drydown that is the epitome of unisex. The woods are androgyny. Gentle and unassuming with a smokey edge. This would be great to spray over a gourmand to make it less syrupy. If you’ve never tried a Molinard fragrance before, please treat yourself. You won’t be disappointed. Go with your fav note to start off with. If you’re a citrus lover, I guarantee this is like no citrus scent you’ve tried before so it’s sure to delight!

I love love love this, it makes me happy, it is so good, well balanced, just perfect summer scent. I was worried that perhaps I will not like it because of jasmine, but no, this is just magnificent, so as the other two I have, Vanille Fruitee and Amber, I adore all 3! I think Molinard is the best currently in quality - beauty - unpretentious wizardry - price ratio. This is connected with Light Blue and Eau des Merveilles, I love them both, but it is it's own scent, though have eroticism of both.

Starts off as delicious lemon rind, goes into lemon black tea. At some point, I get this heavy tobacco note that makes me think this is what TF TV would've been like if it was Tobacco Citrus instead. This smells expensive. If you're into expensive-smelling citrus like LV's Imagination, this is a hidden gem.

A wonderful intense dose of aromatic citruses, very similar to Escentric Molecules 01 on the dry down, a complex, sexy, and long-lasting fragrance for the summer. 100% recommended. Unisex.

Very nice scent for realistic lemon scent lovers. I adore lemons, so I am very happy that this perfume house has issued something for fresh and citrus scent lovers.

Love the smell of fresh Calmansi. Would love to try this one and see if it’s good 😊