Roberto Cavalli Black

Olivier Cresp has a knack for balance and accord and Cavalli Black is a great example of his precision in its structural balance of aromatic, herbal, spice and typical oriental components. This stuff won't win awards for originality, the pyramid is rather standard and measured, but it's the craftsmanship here that defines this as a great addition to any wardrobe for winter. Black has a real appreciation for classical oriental fougeres like Chanel Pour Monsieur, Hermes Equipage and Salvador Dali for Men, building on the basic elements of those with more minimalistic pretensions, turning Cavalli Black into an understated and charming work that allows the individual parts to breathe and come forward in the palette as individual notes like a great bebop jazz session when all the players are given their moment for a solo. The top is incredibly herbal and spicy with the tarragon rushing forward with the coriander early before quickly being absorbed into the lavender, pepper and tonka. The balance here is outstanding, no one individual note truly dominates the whole and your nose will pick up the clean bamboo note and geranium early in its evolution and will enjoy the evolution towards musky, creamy woods and herbal aromatic that follows. Smartly avoids the typical citrus on top and goes with the bamboo instead, allowing the spices to really come forward in the blend and layer exceedingly well under the tonka and light musk. An absolutely sparkling and fluffy concoction at odds with its namesake but a heavenly fragrance in its airy manner and lightness for an oriental fougere. Longevity is generally 7-9 hours with projection somewhat subtle but always present and easily tracked by others. An extremely underrated and overlooked work of brilliance by Olivier Cresp. Works very well for late fall and winter evenings and nights and can be pulled off on winter days as well, but on more formal occasions. Scent: 8.5/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 7/10 Creativity: 7/10 Value: 8.5/10 Versatility: 6/10 (cold evenings and formal affairs). Craftsmanship: 10/10

When people ask me to suggest an affordable cologne for men for winter or night-time, this is the one I bring up. It's so well blended by Olivier Cresp and so classy and organic yet warming and original. You can smell the creamy tonka but it's so well blended that it never dominates like Armani Code. The bamboo gives Cavalli Black a lighter, less crowded feel and allows the aromatic and spicy elements to make their presence known. This one is better than Armani Code at doing what Armani Code should do. It's also more formal and sexy as well and a truly refined gentleman's fragrance that isn't the slightest pretentious but emits an air of confidence. The opening minute will transport you back to your child-hood if you played with Play-doh at all. After that it's a beautiful creamy swirl of tonka, musk and bamboo with a nice balance of aromatic notes and subtle fresh spices. Absolutely gorgeous yet simple. Longevity is good, I get around 6-8 hours usually and projection is also quite moderate and reliable. Best used as a night fragrance or cold winter days. The most under-appreciated and under-rated oriental fougere on the market. One of many great works by Cresp, a true gem.

As the reviewer Hadrian said, this is one fragrance that's hard to describe because it has different phases. On the initial spray, the lavendar intertwined with the spices allows for an aromatic yet warm and seductive opening. The opening is so warm, sensual, and confusing - smells sweet but not fruity, smoky but not with tobacco or incense. It gives me the same feeling I get when I smell John Varvatos, though they are dissimilar fragrances in many ways, they are both so warm and sensual. The bamboo and geranium, applies some freshness to the fragrance that allows it to be enjoyed throughout the entire year. The tonka bean, musk, and woods in the base maintains the warmth and sweetness in the fragrance, but it makes it so d*mn seductive. I get 6 - 7 hours with 4 sprays (2 neck, 1 chest, 1 shirt). This fragrance sits close to the skin, but its aromatic nature keeps it present throughout the day. Recommended for anyone in need of that perfect date night scent.

A very alluring and comforting scent that will satisfy not only the wearer but those in close proximity. Drydown is very very similar to CAHSE: I get a hint of Tonka bean , although not on the note pyramid. This is a casual or romantic fragrance. Not office material in my estimation. Longevity is a problem as is projection. Though, both of these shortcomings are not enough to derail this fragrance from my to buy list. That I did and am easily happy with the results. Update to previous review: My initial concern was that the longevity and projection issues would ruin this fragrance. All that anxiety was for nought as RC Black shines on an on for hours on my skin. No more than 2 sprays last several hours. The dry down is dreamily comforting and so well executed. One of my favorite lightly sweet musky/lavender scents.

This is a very sexy and appealing fragrance. Its not too far off the path from Armani Black Code (or Code), Black Sun by Salvador Dali, and other aromatic, oriental fourgeres. It smells woody (bamboo), aromatic (lavendar, geranium, and coriander), and sweet yet smoky/powdery with an oriental touch, which comes from the brilliant use of tonka bean in the base. Fantastic job, Monsieur Cresp! Oh, and the longevity is definitely an issue with Cavalli fragrances, but this one far outshines its brothers. I sprayed only twice yet I can smell this on me fairly easily 9hrs after application. The trick is one spray on your shirt and one on neck. Recommended!

Absolutely love everything Roberto Cavalli but his fragrances haven't been as daring as his designs which is probably why just just a cpl years after a launch, you can find them deeply discounted on the web. This is the ONLY one that I really love. And I've sampled them all. When I found out they were discontinuing this fragrance a year ago I ordered 4 bottles before the price went through the roof. Its dark, deep with fresh spices. On me, it lasts about 8 hrs with excellent sillage before dying down to a skin scent. I wish they would re-release this one so more people can get to try it.

Blind buy. A successful one. Definitely a personality among the mainstream scents. The lavender/bamboo/pepper trio rules this fragrance for me. Actually bamboo gives it its uniqueness which is lifted up by a classy lavender and a sharp pepper note. Cedarwood and musk make it effortless and elegant. Tonka and Tarragon keep it interesting til the drydown! Very nice combo. Its a scent that can wake interest. Its sort of calling out but in very sophisticated manner. Longevity is good and sillage also, no complaints whatsoever! Bravo Mr Cresp!

Out of many many black or dark fragrances picked up in the past few years, this is the one that became room spray after just one week. All the great reviews aside, I found RC Black to be insipid and uninspiring in overall theme and execution. Far too safe and ultimately dull to merit a place in part of my collection. Had high expectations for this one. However all hopes were dashed not long after in the most resolute fashion. 4.5/10....nah

@Nardis : I did that mistake and bought it. Nothing similar to Cavalli Black. Just a cheap AXE kind deodorant. If you're looking for something similar i suggest you test those: 1. Odin No 10 Roam 2. Spicebomb Extreme 3. Lanvin Avant Garde 4. Burberry Touch (which i found much "cleaner" though) and like most say 5. Armani Code (which i don't find so similar) That's the best i've found so far.

When a perfume combines good quality, good projection and staying power, great scent and a reasonable price, you know you have made a great deal! Roberto cavalli black is all that! A great spicy lavender scent. starts out green/spicy and dries down into a little powdery lavender/wooded scent. For it's pleasant from start to end. I hope it will not be discontinued any time soon.

Ah, what a perfect warm fougere this one is. Lavender, tonka, and a little hint of anise. Yes it smells generic since a ton of perfumes after 2000 put JPG Le Male as their north star. Despite of that, RC Black is a good deal. A very nice scent with good performance, and not crazily expensive.

Sprayed it again today after several months from a bottle I keep for special occasions. Superior. Can't be compared with anything in the market today. I hope they release something close to it someday.

I used it 10 years ago. It took me back to those days. The notes of anise and flowers in the opening are perfectly compatible. A great perfume for special days and nights.

I was informed that all Roberto Cavalli perfumes will be discontinued exept the new one and I ́ll lost my signature scent.

@AND-MAT It's been already discontinued. It's my signature scent and I have about 75 ml which I only use on my birthday.

the smell is absolutely fantastic in my opinion , too bad it doesn't last too long on me .. only one-two hours tops

On my skin it last around 6 to 8 hours, its a really good scent, modern, elegent but strong and convicted :)

My favourite one! Anyone to suggest something similar now that it is discontinued?

My favorite perfume. Mysterious and seductive. Ideal for night.

I have two bottles 3.4 each one sealed both BNIB

A highly underrated oriental fougere from Roberto Cavalli, best known for tacky animal print style clothing that has grown out of mode in northern Italy but continues to breathe a powerful second life in Sicily and Latin America as I write this review. Many of Cavalli's creations in men's fragrance after Black have come off rather generic and uninspiring, but Black is a dramatic exception that was helped strongly by the designer's desire to put his brand on the fragrance map. According to a couple people I know in the industry, Cavalli paid highly respected Olivier Cresp a rather generous fee and gave him a very liberal budget and timeframe to work with, with Cresp rewarding him with a fine product and classy blend of traditional and modern. Looking for an inexpensive option for fall, winter and spring nights? check. Looking for something fairly reasonably priced? check. Looking for something classical, inoffensive and yet because of the excellent blending by Olivier Cresp, highly original and unique? check. All the marks of a solid mid-priced fragrance are there and if you enjoy orientals that find the right balance between musk, spice and aromatic than this is a smart purchase you will be glad you made. The previous reviews here are very reliable and accurate, this is a great cool evening/night winter fragrance that is spicy but blended so well that it never overwhelms and is tamed and cooled with the lavender and bamboo over it. Projection is rather moderate but longevity is extremely good for a modern fragrance, with 7-10 hours the norm in cold weather. The most underrated oriental fougere on the market. Overall: 8.0

An interesting fragrance, that (to me) feels dark, sultry, and mysterious. This was a blind buy from years ago lurking forgotten at the back of my wardrobe until I rediscovered it while frantically looking for something else. Curiously I have a similar semi-anosmic response to this as to Jil Sander Man (I’m not saying Black and Man are in any way similar, just that I have trouble detecting them immediately after applying, as if temporarily fatigued). This opens with a herbal-aromatic overture and evolves smoothly but softly as the lavender-floral note takes the stage before a very nice musky-cedar-tonka dry down, which is truly beautiful and by far the best part. Incidentally the fabulous, musky dry-down reminds me of Roberto Cavalli Man which - as well as having a serpentine bottle - also has a distinctive, musky dry-down and although both are similar in character, there the musk jumps out of left field and hijacks the composition, steering it in a whole new direction down a musky highway, whereas here it’s a much smoother transition. Down a subtly different musky highway. This could easily be worn by anyone with any crotch configuration. Longevity is significant, lasting up to eight hours, although it sits fairly close to the skin after the first two. The name is very apt and it feels very dark, and enigmatic - like obsidian, or mysterious like “black mirror”, but not in a gloomy, depressive way. If this fragrance were a person I could see it as a pale androgynous Raphael angel with raven hair and velvety gothic vampire clothes.

Ummm... it’s not an easy task to describe it! RC's Black is one of the most curious perfumes you can imagine. I don’t know why, but I really like it. A lot of lavender (during a minute, a shade of it will remind you Caron’s Pour un homme!), some spicy herbs (a brief impression of Armani’s Code) and coriander (Lagerfeld’s Photo, there you are!) plus a minimalist – but still present – sexual warmness (bamboo...). Nothing really similar with the three scents that I mentioned, though. RC’s Black is a modern, well–blended and innovative fragrance – and, needless to say, a very Italian one. It is apparently discreet, but long lasting. It exhales a calm - but blissful - passion (and, surely, its pepper will try to tickle your nose). The bottle is a piece of art – but the silver cap it’s the most unintelligent thing I ever touched since I intersected the perfumery world. Overall, a 8,1/10

The combination of lavender(and sometimes geranium) and musk has been very common in modern perfumery especially among designer brands. This is the mixture that reminds some people of laundry-like or detergent smell. This causes hatred in some and love in others too. Anyway, I consider Cavalli Black an example of a metrosexual crowd-pleaser perfume that is very appealing especially among younger groups who are not very into perfume junkies or those who look at perfumes in a fastidious or meticulous manner. It has a clean, sweet and rather soft smell that lingers for a good while and projects well for a few hours.

Very purple. The smell makes me think of purple colour. The bottle suits the juice perfect. As for the scent it is like Armand Basi espaecially the topnotes. Just a tad bit more colourful(fruitier). But the drydown is different. While Armand Basi is getting more floral and woody Cavalli Black becomes muskier. Cavalli Black is pretty unique cologne and a compliment getter but the longevity is not good. I prefer Armand Basi Homme. But Cavalli Black has one advantage. It can be used in summer too. This is a very good night-out cologne. Overall 7.5/10

Dark and sensual ... spices, lavender and white musk. Love the woody dry down. Projects great, long lasting and fun to wear. The bottle is iconic and revolves around the brand’s emblem. Sadly discontinued for years. A hidden gem!

It's a nice and inoffensive lavender/musk blend. It shares many similarities with Body Shop White Musk for men. Both are basically powder bombs. Both are inexpensive but the Body Shop version last longer and sillage is better.

Elegant and dignified smell And formal classroom Very low low odor retention and distribution of weak spots near the body. بوی شیک و با وقار رسمی و با کلاس نقطه ضعیف ماندگاری بسیار پایین و پخش بوی کم نزدیک به بدن

It's an ok men's scent, but not something I would specifically recommend.

In general, I don't like Cavalli fragrances and that's the reason that I tested this scent first time yesterday, friend has one in collection. The reaction was OH GOD, WHERE HAS THIS FRAGRANCE BEEN FOR YEARS?! I was absolutely positively surprised. New love has born. Very unusual combo, fresh lavander with background of some creamy-partly sweet notes and pepper which gives it sharpness. Talking about style, it's similar style to Attitude Armani, not similar scent but style, it is like Attitude, macho, sexy, seductive, 2000s fancy culture. I get impression that there is some coffe note in background mixed with lavander, but that is posibbly tonka get me that impression. Performances are average, not too weak like D&G The One for exaple, or too strong like some powerhouses, noticable enough, and 4-5h of lasting. I love it that much that I would put more than 10 sprays every time I wear it, just I don't have one because it is discounted, I soon I will make a stock!

I smelled this a couple years ago because of great reviews and was like yuck but as it dried down was like WOWW!! And as usual it is discontinued!!! On first spray it is off putting a brown coffee lavender old clothes in a attic scent, a mess. It can just be overwhelming. Then it dries down powdery has a LeMale powdery moment then becomes itself black like a mixture of Armani Code but less sweet more herbal and dark. Like putting on a black leather jacket after leaving a barber shop. You hop in a black limo. i felt like I will be ready for this scent when I turn 35 I just wasn't at that time. This is like wearing two colognes at the same time a strong and dangerous lavender-laden dark night scent much like Azzaro Pure Lavender with the freshness of Salvatore Ferragamo subtil at other moments. A very polarizing tuxedo dressy scent.

very interesting scent to say the least! when i first tried this on at the store i wasn't really sure what to think at frst. it seemed bitter. but i gave it a few minutes to let it settle in on my skin and within 10 minutes i smelled it again and it amazed me! it was not something i could describe but it was extremely interesting smelling to me! after half an hour or less, when it fully settles down, it becomes a beautiful, sweet lavender. as for projection and longevity,the projection was average and the longevity was amazing! this thing was on my skin for all of one afternoon all the way up to about 3pm the next day with 3 showers in that time and a hard workout, so this thing is meant to last and last. try/buy/pass? definite try, and if you like it, buy it. quality fragrance to say the least

Well, I purchased Roberto Cavalli Black on EBAY- because I remembered he had created a fragarance called PUNJAB(long discontinued), but to this day, I have never smelled anything that came even close to that fragarance. I have read VERY mixed reviews on Black, but the general consensus seems to be it does not have staying power. I am eager to try it anyway, as I am so picky about colognes, it is VERY rare for me to find anything I like at the mall or Sephora. I wanted something unique, so I thought I would order this. As of right now, my favorite fragarance is jack black blue mark. And just fyi- (don't mean to get off the subject), but pheromone colognes DON'T WORK- don't waste your money.

Wow, I havent smell something good or realy memoriable from Roberto (no he is not my friend, I just call him with his first name :-P ), but I smell this one and I have to say that this perfume rocks! Its romantic and warm! Love this combination! The only theme with this one, is that it doesnt last for many hours, so wear it during summer in order to make its "life" longer. Probubly it designed for winter perfume, but maybe a new version or Cavalli black intense will be more suitable for winter. WOW thats a good idea! An intense version! Yeah its very popular by the designers to make new intense versions of their best fragrances! I WANT AN INTENSE CAVALLI BLACKKKKKKKKK! :-((((

Funny how much bottles of this go for now, I remember my mom getting it for me for Xmas around 2006 or 2007, I really liked the scent but didn’t appreciate it so I used it sparingly, it sat on my shelf in my collection, used once in a blue, I prolly still have 80 percent left, but one thing for sure when I smell it it is very unique, herbal, green dark, I feel the bamboo keeps it from smelling like the rest...someone said barbershop, I say that but in a green herbal soft leathery way, not an astringent green but a smooth emerald green..glad I still have a lot left as it’s getting expensive to find

A very underrated fragrance but probably one of the best around. I have a huge collection including Pure Malt, Pure havane, Green irish tweet, Le male, Dior intense and the list goes on and on. This one really gets all the compliments and every time i wear it at least one person will come and ask which one is it. Guys, women adore this one. Longevity is an issue but who really cares? I prefer 4-5 hours of magic than 8-10 of medium and uninspired fragrances. Brilliant!!!

finally i know which scent is reminded me of this...it s an armand basi homme, by the same perfumer o. cresp..the main difference is that basi is more sexy, powerful and the best for the last - more longlasting!! cavalli black is gone in the minute which basi is on my skin for whole day...anyway, i thing cavalli is superb scent, but basi is much better

This one opens up with a lavender note accompanied by a slight peppery tone given by the presence of coriander that just after about 5 minutes gives space to a flowery combination which smelss very pleasant to my nose and that throughout time develops into a tonka/lavender scent. Nothing new nor outstanding, just pleasant.

profumo meraviglioso non smetterei mai di annusare,non capisco come mai non lo producono più ,le poche bottiglie rimaste sul mercato ormai costano come i profumi tom ford, un vero peccato

it's very nice, lavander power, but i have tried it now after shower and i think it's wonderful in spring-summer, it's very warm....but in cold season it's bottle-up, restrained.

i have 3 perfumes for cavali ,black -blue and for man, all that its great perfumes bad no great lasting ,why? i hop next time mr cavali b more careful whit perfumers

@Dellamorte I do have a bottle and its well appreciated, i get a hint of Armani code yet i find this better, very smooth and balanced Long lasting and refreshing!

درسته ماندگاری بالا و پخش بوی زیادی نداره ولی واقعا خوشبوست ترکیبه بوی چوب و تندی ملایم اون یویی بهش داده که خیلی خوب و البته سکسیه به نظر من ارزش خرید رو داره

This fragrance makes the girls crazy. But you have to reapply it every hour. They should put a warning on all Cavalli fragrances as 'very short lasting'!

Beautiful semi sweet, modern barbershop scent. Im looking everywhere to find another bottle of this one. Amazing juice.! 8/10

Had it on my studies in Italy time...Have it again today but with different bottle and name. PRADA LUNA ROSSA BLACK.Period.

its super sexy and dark remind me black bulgary ,no so power in this perfume about 2-3 hours.i have its in my collection

The closest I smelled to this was Azzaro Pure Lavender...yet that is also discontinued LOL

Masterpiece. Pity i cant find it anymore. Women melt with this one!

@nardis Give Vancleef midnight in paris a try!