Black Orchid Reserve

Seems like toned downed mix of black orchid parfum&edp. Less intense, less performant but also more versatile : might appeal to the ones wishing of making of black orchid a daily fragrance/signature (the other flankers might not be suitable for every occasions being too strong). I wonder if « reserve » word here stands for « a more reserved » fragrance for that matter, would totally make sense. Earthiness through patchouli and boozines are amped up compared to « parfum », truffle is still there. Less earthy than edp, and more feminine. While the previous flankers keep their BO dna during the dry down, here the base notes are more pushed forward to a more basic vanilla - tonka - patchouli where BO’s DNA slowly fades away. It’s like a better alternative to the edt : i know many people out there were hoping to meet a more versatile black orchid, that still keeps the edp/parfum dna. To be honest, i will still get it while having others ; sometimes BO might feel a little too heavy or inappropriate for some occasions but I would still be craving for that smell. That’s when Reserve plays its role really well. The con is that while being lighter, unfortunately performance falls short. I wish Tom Ford did better regarding that aspect of delivering a more universal scent profile of BO but which is still performant without ever feeling « heavy ». And they clearly failed. But still better than their edt My ratings of the flankers : 1) - Black orchid « parfum » : 9.5/10 perfectly executed, lacking perhaps a little bit of profoundness. Nuclear performance. 2) - Black orchid « reserve » : 9.25/10 signature worthy, a lighter fragrance, reuniting best aspects of all black orchid flankers. I wish performance was a little bit better 3)- Black orchid edp : 8.5 harsh opening, too heavy, dry down is where it happens. Good performance, but doesn’t overperform « parfum ». While you could substitute edp version by the « parfum », getting yourself a better one. You can’t substitute « reserve » with the « parfum », because they both play different roles while delivering best aspects of what black orchid has to offer

... Hard to start this.. I remember trying the OG a good few months ago and hating it.. pungent, old woman, dated, when could you even wear it? It was always something I wanted to try, a "classic" but the danger of classics are that they don't translate to what people like to smell today... ... Cut to me trying this a few weeks ago (in Boots) and walking around town, only to be asked what I'm wearing as "someone smells nice".. to me, it was a smoother, more modern version of what I'd tried those months ago.. and the more I smelled it, the more the sillage followed me, the more I kind of fell in love with it... ... Cut to last week buying a full bottle (and regarding price, go to somewhere like The Perfume Shop in UK) and you can get it for £150 for 100ml.. which isn't as bad as people are saying.. especially considering the longevity... .. Which brings me to performance.. when you first put it on, it screams like a banshee.. honestly... It's LOUD! but! I think it calms down pretty quickly (within an hour) and instead of being a "beast mode" fragrance, it becomes a "lingerer" honestly.. the sillage and bubble around you is so prominent, it's amazing.. and by this time it's rammed into this intoxicating, at first you might think "what is this? I don't like it!" But then the more you smell it, the more you want to smell it.. it's stunning. ... Is it for anyone under 30? No. I genuinely think this is a confident 30+ person (totally unisex by the way) because there is no doubt this fragrance is divisive.. it's not a JPG Elixir or Gucci Guilty Elixir (both amazing head turners and compliment bombs) - you need to be prepared for as many people saying they don't like what you smell like, to those who think you smell amazing... .. a "vintage" smell made relevant again... Amazing!

This is a stunning fragrance, unusual but exquisite. Now, I've read that it smells like old ladies etc, if that's the case you can slap my arse and call me Betty! I'll happily smell like I'm in god's waiting room if this is the scent! I suppose like everything it's down to personal preference and I understand that with something this different it's going to have a vastly varying array of opinions. Like everything, try it for yourself and make up your own mind. It's powerful, indulgent and luxurious but very unique with it's elegant profile. Yes, it's all there. The truffle, the citrus the florals and finally that creamy trio of chocolate, Tonka and vanilla is beautifully blended with a decent hit of patchouli. It just works, but this is a cooler weather scent without a doubt. Fresh from purchase it's lasing 6-7 hours easy, well above the normal! Even as a skin scent it's very detectable after falling back from a close to room filling performance for many hours initially. I've stored it away until the autumn now to let it settle and enrich, apparently this is a scent that benefits from this and continues to smooth out and develop further, performing even better! Definitely a perfume for the 35s and over. Truly unisex, my wife and I will have to share this one! 😆 It is opulent so perhaps one for days out, evening liaisons and very much a cosy, sofa day when your pulling a sickie from work. Honestly, I don't usually opt for this type of scent but this is gorgeous Niche, luxury and distinctive.....beautiful. Right, where's my walking stick!

As announced here before – and on the other Black Orchid flanker’s pages – I am a Black Orchid fanboy. I’m a BO enabler, a BO apologist and I will argue with people who put it down to my face. That being said I’ve been excited about getting my hands on this one since it was announced. When it finally came to my go to shop in a 100ml bottle, I had to blind buy it. When I sprayed it, initially, I kind of thought to myself that it might not be different enough to be worth the 100ml bottle purchase. The opening kind of made me wish that I only got the 50ml bottle. But that thought quickly changed in the dry down. In my opinion, all of the Black Orchid variations are different enough to serve their own purpose. Black Orchid Reserve in particular is probably the smoothest out of all of them. There’s something soft and buttery about it, which I imagine is the addition of the tonka bean. It would only serve right that this note would take center stage, after all it’s the only unique note that we’re getting with this one. If the rum note is what makes the BO Parfum stand out, it’s the tonka bean that does it in the Reserve. Whether you need it or not, it could kind of depend on how big of a fan of this DNA you are. But if you are, it’s definitely different enough to be considered a good flanker, and close enough to not be considered a complete departure from the Black Orchid DNA.

Black Orchid Reserve opens with a burst of high-grade patchouli marked by camphor and menthone facets that lend a tingling, aromatic lift. (To my nose, the profile smells strikingly similar to a premium CO2 patchouli extract from Hermitage labeled “Chocolate Patchouli.”) Zesty bergamot and a trace of truffle round out the effervescent yet slightly unconventional top. As the patchouli develops, camphor notes soften and transition into a cool, mint-laced dark chocolate accord poured over creamy tonka bean. Traces of ylang-ylang remain, though far more subdued than in Black Orchid. By stripping away the floral fruity sweetness of the original and its flankers, Reserve emerges as a woodier yet more gourmand and sophisticated expression. It’s a scent built for those who love the depth of high-quality patchouli. Longevity easily exceeds ten hours, projecting strongly for the first before settling into a comfortably moderate presence. Though it’s a flanker, the individuality within the line is undeniable. This is Black Orchid reimagined: modern, more balanced, unisex, and infinitely more refined. Sample first, but for patchouli lovers, Black Orchid Reserve might just be the version you’ve been waiting for.

A Velvet Thunderstorm in a Bottle - Let’s not mince words this isn’t your average spritz and go. Black Orchid Reserve doesn’t whisper; it prowls. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a velvet smoking jacket worn by a Bond villain who moonlights as a jazz pianist. One spray and you’re not just entering a room you’re rewriting its mood lighting. The opening? A decadent dive into truffle-laced noir, like biting into a dark chocolate secret whispered by a forest. Then comes the heart orchid, plum, and a swirl of incense that feels like a midnight confession in a candlelit speakeasy. And the dry-down? Oh, darling. Smoky, boozy, and just a little bit wicked like patchouli and sandalwood slow-dancing in a tuxedo. This isn’t for the faint of heart or the beige of soul. It’s for those who like their elegance with a side of danger and their compliments whispered in hushed awe. **Projection:** Bold enough to get you noticed across a ballroom, but refined enough not to shout. **Longevity:** Outlasts your ex’s excuses. **Best worn:** When you want to be remembered, not just seen. Love it!!

Black Orchid is one of my favourite fragrances of all time and this Reserve is a beautiful flanker of the original DNA. Everything in the Reserve feels more amplified yet at the same time it has this almost transparent feel which I believe comes from the addition of the ghost orchid accord. The ghost orchid is a rare and mysterious flower known for its delicate and almost otherworldly scent. That’s exactly what it adds here, this airy and elusive quality that gives the fragrance more mystery and depth. I’m honestly surprised no one has mentioned how much more they focused on the orchid note in this version. It really takes the lead and the floral parts feel livelier and more sparkling. When I say it dominates I don’t mean it’s aggressive. It’s smooth and beautifully balanced. You still get those familiar powdery and chocolate tones that keep the original Black Orchid DNA alive. It’s still rich, dark and expensive smelling but softer and smoother at the same time. Perfectly unisex because this fragrance isn’t about gender it’s about character.

Tried this on at Nordstrom. Here is my first impression: I’ve smelled the original and it’s slightly diff. Initially I did not like because the opening was similar to the OG but when I tell you that patchouli was very strong, quite dirty, off putting almost (some of you may love it). I decided to try on skin and again, Truffle, bits of the ylang ylang were there but patchouli still loud and clear. I was going to write it off as not for me so I walked the mall as Apple techs were repairing my iPhone. I walk around for 2 hours, come back to Apple and a foot away the tech notices the scent with a compliment. It dried down to a beautiful, black orchid but with a creamy dark choc / patchouli-esque scent. It’s WONDERFUL. I’m excited for the guys and gals who REALLY know how to articulate their thoughts and tell the story on this. They aren’t sure if this will indeed become a limited edition or not so to the true fans out there, this is a must try! Needless to say, I preordered!

Tom Ford Black Orchid Reserve⚫️✨ The iconic Black Orchid is known for being bold; commanding attention from the first spray. Dark and opulent, we know this distinctive scent for its combination of dark chocolate, truffle, patchouli, and of course, its monstrous performance. What makes this Reserve release different? Black Orchid finally put on velvet gloves to seduce instead of strangling you with that (glorious) original sillage. The opening hits you with fruity and floral freshness that quickly fades to the deepest and most sensual rendition of Black Orchid. The tonka, dark chocolate, and truffle triad are amped up and absolutely divine... extremely lush and gourmand without veering into dessert territory. This isn’t a loud fragrance, in contrast to the other flankers. The scent lingers closely with the intention of drawing people in. Black Orchid was finally polished, to hopefully, its last version.

Here we go again with the Tom Ford “Reserve Collection” gimmick — aka: discontinue a scent, then re-release it as a “special” limited edition, weaker and 50% more expensive. But wait — Black Orchid is still in production. So what exactly is this new Reserve Collection version? Is it the original formula? There’s been talk that Black Orchid has been heavily reformulated and watered down over the years. In just 19 years, Tom Ford (or should I say Estée Lauder?) has released 135 perfumes — 136 if you count the elusive Black Orchid Oud, which no one has actually seen. That’s a new release roughly every 50 days. Yes, every 50 days. I'm honestly exhausted by this non-stop cycle. Can we go back to the early 2000s, when we got one bold, thoughtful release per house, per year?

The opening is the familiar Black Orchid but smooth. The drydown is unreal to me. It's like the scent as I thought I knew it keeps changing with each wear. Last night was my third time wearing it and I didn't even recognize it, it was so creamy and luxurious. I felt like it didn't project but if anyone was in your personal space they would fall victim to it's seduction. I'm amazed by this fragrance. Edit: Initially I thought the ylang ylang was annoyingly banana like and feminine leaning but I think that contributes to the creamy profile in the dry down, it just fits. Because this is such a shapeshifting fragrance that ends up creamy and luxurious, I feel like this is high quality juice for sure. It's not ordinary, not for everyone. I'm in love.

Decanted sample. Interesting that this has sweet as the top. If anything, this is more earthy and tip-toes into (what word? What word?) ...pungency, in the very lightest sense of that word. The truffle? The dirty edge of ylang-ylang? As smooth to me as the OG, but less. Maybe because of Tilda. Stripped down androgyny, less “I’ll make you want to f### me” than “I know you want to f### me and I’ll think about it.” If that makes any sense. Later - now that it’s in the middle phase the pungent ghost is gone and I *do* smell yellow flower without thinking “saffron”. Nice. Sweet, for sure. Later still - my skin ate it. Not the staying power I was hoping for. I admire it but I don’t need it. Do I?

It’s a better black orchid than the original It’s more sparkly more intense And even more interesting The sweetness that seems to bother a lot of reviewers wasn’t anything to worry about And the performance was great I loved wearing it and I was sure by the end of the day that it’s definitely better than the original The true difference lies in it’s linear nature The original change after a couple of hours to the well known truffle dry down which is to my taste very earthy and bland and it’s my least preferred version of the scent Here the incredible mix stays the same till the end of the day which was best suited for my nose

The major formulation differences between this and the current formulation of the OG are the following: In this Reserve version, patchouli went up quite a bit. Real vetiver has been added (enough to make a noticeable difference.) Clove was doubled. Ylang went way up, almost to IFRA limit. Bergamot was cut in half. Where did all this extra headspace come from? They drastically reduced the Iso E super. TF is playing it very safe with the Black Orchid IP, this is truly very similar in composition to the OG, all the changes mentioned are for the better, this is a superior product.

I just smelt this now in Shopper’s. It is definitely smoother out of the three. I find it to be more sweeter, but just a lot more put together. The Parfum (gold bottle) definitely has more of a bite to it with the rum. But I will say the reserve is so much smoother! I left the store to think about it. Tried on the original and the Parfum at home, and the Reserve is definitely a lovely addition to the line. I think I’ll have to go back and get it! 9/10 Edit: I got it! The very next day I caved and got it! It is very nice! Worth owning amongst the others!

I tried this one today, at first spray it reminded me of the Black Orchid parfum, however a bit brighter and more intense! In my skin I can still smell the parfum the next day, however this one becomes a skin scent after about 7 hours. For my taste in perfumery this is brilliant, and of great quality but since I own the parfum I'll pass for now, since having them both makes no sense to me since they smell similar. However, if my bottle ends, I would definitely get this one!

Black Orchid always pitched sharp on me. Its a good scent, but I found Voile the best with the white floral creaminess tempering that sharpness. Luckily we now have Reserve. Iiked it straight out of the bottle. I saw immediately where they were going. A fuller, richer, luxe, more relaxed than the hot tramp of the OG. This person moves with maturity, confidence, sex appeal and age. Its the silver fox. Classy. I really enjoyed the ride. Best BO imo.

This perfume is so interesting on the first spray I hated it reminded me of an old grandma. But I let the scent develop and ever so slowly it changed into probably the most sexiest scent I've ever smelled it's so sophisticated and smells expensive. It has a gorgeous truffle and expensive dark chocolate scent to it. It lasts all day I can even smell it on me the next day. Worth the money.

Watched an Aaron Terence Hughes review of this and got worried when he said it leaned feminine. I only tested on paper and had thought it leaned masculine. Received my bottle today and wore it on my wrist. The opening was fem leaning but didn't hang around too long as it dried down and became unisex, I say with a masculine leaning impression of truffle and incense. I like it.

My first impressions: This feels like a “reserve” release. Much more sensual through the heart and base with the dark chocolate amped up and the truffle adding a more earthy effect compared to the other flankers. The opening seems to be brighter and more floral than the others but deepens very quickly. So far, this could be my favorite black orchid flanker.

In the opening it is very similar to the OG, But the reserve drys down to more earthy chocolaty patchouli direction which smells more luxurious and appealing with depth for me since patchouli is one of my favorite notes in perfumery. Longevity is really strong and noticeable on this one, 8 hours, definitely a winter/fall fragrance.

After owning it for a couple of months and wearing it more, I kind of have to say that the dose of ylang-ylang, though not new to the Black Orchid DNA, but definitely amped up a lot, is probably the note that makes this flanker different from the other BO's. In my opinion, it's the most floral of all the Black Orchids.

More floral than the original, with the prominent chocolate note. Heavy, will cut thru the cold air but I wouldn’t like to smell this on a woman as to me it’s smells masculine. Like the original i feel like it leans very male orientated and a confident man will definitely pull this off.

I like this perfume, I smell the chocolate, the citrus, it's blended pretty well so it's a bit dark but fresh at the same time. I'd wear this for a date (although I've been saying that for a lot of perfumes lately so I don't know if I actually need 6 date night perfumes).

One spray of this and it’s 2006, I’m in Selfridges, the original Black Orchid release day and I’m smelling it for the first time. This was how the original before the reformulations ruined it smelled. It stuck to my skin, my clothes, my hair. My first love.

OG Black Orchid has been tough for me to understand. I keep sampling it and now I think I get it. Today I sampled Black Orchid Reserve and I had no difficulty appreciating it. It's so smooth by comparison to the OG. I like it.

This should have been released as a Private Blend instead making mass available. So witchy, so niche. Best of the Black Orchids. Performance 24+h with a strong projection. Stays on your clothes forever.

@DarthFragrance where have you seen that Parfum Black Orchid is getting discontinued? Just like BBC, stop spreading fake news. Thanks It’s all over the official website as it always was.

I freaking love it. Not everyone can pull of this perfume but if you can, you gotta work it. It has the same DNA as Mugler Amen but more modern, sweeter, darker and less funky.

for me this is the best version .. its perfectly balanced ,sexy mysterious dark.. whithout having too much of the floral element that i dont really like.

Purchased today. My favorite black Orchid yet. It’s fresher to me. The drydown is where it shines

The site shouldn’t allow rating before a fragrance is out!

It's Black Orchid. I need it. I'm addicted to this line.

Hands down the best TF release in years.

I purchased a full bottle of this from Sephora in October 2025 and have been wearing it on certain occasions throughout the past four months. I wouldn’t review this in comparison to the original, but rather as an independent creation. I want to start by pointing out the exceptional longevity and sillage this fragrance possesses. It truly lasts all day and projects significantly- have no doubt about that, and be careful with over-spraying. Olfactory-experience-wise, I feel that what’s listed in the notes is exactly what you get, perhaps less so with the bergamot and vanilla. The earthy patchouli pairs beautifully with the truffle note, and I feel this combination forms the core of the fragrance. The ylang-ylang isn’t overly creamy, with the composition leaning toward a dense, weighty structure. It is certainly not too sweet, even with the chocolate-y dry-down. Of course, a beautiful orchid nuance is present, almost orbiting the core of the fragrance. Vibe-wise, I think the bottle represents the fragrance very well- strong, dark, elegant, sophisticated, expensive. I find it to be a serious fragrance, somewhat dark-academia-related in my mind. I like to wear it to exams I studied really well for, to put myself in an unapologetically show-off mood. All in all, a confident person must wear this fragrance for it not to wear the person. I would even say it slightly induces anxiety, fear, and trembling in those who can’t handle it. I’m having an ongoing debate with my partner about whether this fragrance leans masculine or feminine, and so far we haven’t agreed on a definitive verdict. Perhaps it leans slightly more feminine.

Opens with the Original Black Orchid Florals and then slowly transitions to a Medicinal rubbery clove animalic funk with funeral flowers and this lasts for sometime and it can be unpleasant for some and then you get the Ghost Orchid which smells dark, reminds you of a Ghost bride and groom, has a fruity vegetal musk with various Orchid florals and this lasts for hours slowly fading into mild tonka and vanilla. The Patchouli and Dark chocolate is there but its blended well with the florals which makes it hard to differentiate. BO R is an experience. Overall smells Dark, Floral, Funky, Dirty, Melancholic, Gothic, Niche.10/10

A softer, more mass-appealing version of the OG: smoother vanilla, plush tonka, and that familiar warmth humming underneath. The original’s DNA is still very much alive, just wrapped in a gentler skin. It opens with a slightly masculine edge, but the drydown turns into creamy tonka; almost like hot cocoa. ☕️ A soft animalic undertone in the background; possibly ylang-ylang indoles, but I can’t quite pin it down. ‘Sweet’ spiking in the top accords feels off; it’s just vanilla/tonka softness. By modern standards, it isn’t a sweet scent. Still prefer OG. Tag(s): hot cocoa, warm, truffle, tonka

This is okay. On my skin it is very floral. Ylang-ylang and orchid definitely come through stronger than anything else, and I can also feel the earthy patchouli and chocolate in it coming through as it dries down. The salty truffle is barely there to my nose. Because of the big florals, this feels like the most feminine leaning of the BO line. It projects huge and is a great performer. Because the florals are so pumped up, it's also the most mass-appealing/commercial of the line. Good stuff if you like this kind of thing. But the OG is still the most special masterpiece to me.

Lovely. Refined. Great projection but less nuclear than the pillar. It is less truffle more dark chocolate-patchouli with bergamot lift and floral notes of ylang ylang. It feels less chaotic and hammer to the head than Black Orchid. It is less sultry but more organized and with intellectual tinge to the seductiveness. Possibly decluttered. I like it very much! Perfect for autumn-winter date time. Might be my first flanker buy since Voile de Fleur. Blotter test.

Similar to OG w/ choco-gourmand aspects perhaps slightly more feminine, still well within the "unisex zone". Longevity on skin is nearly 24h, quite impressive. Solid overall per se, but repetitive. If you are new to the Black Orchid DNA, sample all of them and decide which one aligns better to your taste. Owning more than one is redundant. My personal preference is still the OG/EdP.

Quite feminine in the opening and mid and very much like the OG. However the dry down is just heaven. Opulent chocolate, patchouli and unisex. Special occasion perfume as I couldn't see myself wearing this at work or popping to the shops. You have to wear this frag or it will wear you. Highly polarising. Try before you buy.

Black Orchid deserve a nod for its understated, sophisticated tone--wearing it feels like you've been complimented by Sianne Ngai for carrying an ugly feeling with dignity and poise. At around the 12 hour mark it does develop an ever-so-mild tang that comes across liftingly, a sort of unexpectedly optimistic finale.

Dark, almost a little boozy but also gourmand and intoxicatingly floral. I have an old bottle of the original Black Orchid (along with Velvet and Orchid Soleil) and I wouldn't repurchase Black Orchid now, but I really like this.

I've owned old Black Orchid EdP and now own the Parfum. Initial impression, not different enough from the Parfum to warrant a purchase. Honestly, slightly prefer the Parfum. I feel it has more depth than the Reserve.

Does anyone know if this will me a limited edition like the other "Reserve" releases?

This was my first real experience with Tom Ford. For years, I’ve deliberately kept my distance from the brand because, honestly, most of its fragrances felt like they were trying harder to make a polished statement of luxury than an artistic one. And that’s perfectly fine. There’s absolutely a place for that kind of perfumery. It just rarely aligns with what I’m looking for. Even in stores, I’ve often had the impression that many people gravitate toward Tom Ford not because of the fragrance itself, but because of what it represents: the status, the name, the idea of wearing a Tom Ford. “I want the Rrrose Prrrick one 💅👄”... I don’t know if that resonates with anyone else. 🤠 With Black Orchid Reserve, however, I had a pleasantly different experience. This is a fragrance that actually has a personality of its own. It feels like it has something to say beyond simply smelling expensive. One thing I would strongly recommend is to test it on skin. On a blotter it comes across as much sweeter than it actually is. Once it settles on skin, the truffle and chocolate become far more prominent, and together they create what I can only describe, for lack of a better reference, as a faint chlorinated nuance. It sounds odd on paper, but it’s precisely this facet that makes the fragrance feel somewhat challenging. I would also strongly recommend wearing it in colder weather. Most experienced enthusiasts will already know why, but Black Orchid Reserve is one of those compositions whose balance shifts dramatically with temperature. In the heat, the darker facets (truffle, patchouli, chocolate, and the earthy undertones) become much louder and can feel almost abrasive, while the composition loses some of its elegance. In cooler air, the evaporation slows, the structure feels more cohesive, and the fragrance reveals the rich, velvety, almost gothic sophistication that I believe it was designed to express. The atmosphere it creates is undeniably dark, seductive, and almost narcotic, but never entirely comforting. There’s a subtle sense of repulsion woven into the sensuality, as if the fragrance constantly balances attraction and unease. To me, that’s what makes it genuinely intriguing. I’m still not sure whether this is a fragrance I’ll truly bond with, but it’s certainly one that deserves time, multiple wearings, and an open mind.

I wanted to love this so much but it didn't meet my expectations of replacing my vintage Black Orchid. On one hand it improves current crappy formulation by removing the sharp off-note from it, but on the other hand takes new unnecessary risks. This is denser, darker, heavier than the original. It is also simplified and missing top notes. Smelling it side by side vintage original gives off this beautiful complex cola vibe which isn't present at all in Reserve version. The biggest risk Tom Ford made with this is giving it an overdose of Ylang-Ylang. It simply doesn't work for me. Ylang-Ylang by itself has a scent of dirty narcotic jasmine (overdosing can push to the level of stanky). If you use it sparingly it can give a beautiful narcotic effect, but here it's not just for effect - it dominates. The vintage original doesn't have a single obvious note - that's why the note list looks chaotic. It's masterfully blended and dances on a tightrope of light and dark. Reserve slaps you with yellow floral Ylang-Ylang while keeping chocolate patchouli in background. Signature Black Orchid accord is present throughout this experience giving classic BO feel. This yellow floral note starts dissipating after first hour and after it becomes quite pleasant. - UPDATE: It's my skin that ylang ylang jumps off way too much. On different person it doesn't smell this intense. I will leave it to sit and let it rest more and revisit it when it gets below 20°C (currently it's a bit above that). I was ready to buy a flacon, but for me it's definitely not worth it. Tom Ford Black Orchid Reserve doesn't hold a candle to first Black Orchid formulation. I will still buy every vintage Black Orchid bottle any person offers me. Original Black Orchid exudes sophistication, Reserve doesn't care about being belligerent.

That a Reserve will be heavy is a DUH moment. Like, come on, what did you expect? So laments about how heavy this perfume is are lame to me. Of course it is, it's a friggin' Reserve!!! Having said that, it's not my favorite, either, despite generally favorable rating of slightly above 4 out of 5. It's sweet and earthy in the opening and generally very gourmand, and I'm tempted to say a little bit green-earthy. But on my skin this lovely first sweet-earthy hit with a slight green dissipated rather quickly and became generally very weak for a Reserve. All the previous mentions of banana flavoring and cola are valid, IMHO. I can smell some kind of fruity plastic-ishness in the dry down as well, which I am attributing to the truffle note? Overall it's a heavy "old lady" type of a fragrance with very poor sillage and longevity which doesn't translate well in mixture with my skin.

03 September 2025 I think this one is the most wearable black orchid for me personally. I like that it still has a very strong BO dna, yet it is elevated version. It is like the pargum in gold bottle with dark chocolate overdose in the opening but bergamot sourness later on. The dark chocolate (or whatever note it is) does not stay too long on my skin, and im happy it does not,since it is too heavy for me. It later smells literally like BO parfum with sourish note, which prevents it from becoming headache causing. Yet the sourish note is not very obvioysor prominent, until you dig your nose into it, but it is just old BO all the way. Dont know how to explain it, yet it is like a scent in a scent. Sillage is very nice and strong and goes on for hours and hours. If i would keep only one BO, then i would keep this Reserve version. Huge like.

I purchased this for my wife because she loves the original Black Orchid. Most people are asking if the New Reserve is redundant if you own the original... Yes, I feel that it is really close with the Truffle DNA... But the difference is a darker more well blended scent. The dark chocolate and patchouli note seems to be more dominant which also makes the fragrances more masculine or at least a great unisex... This smells really sexy on a woman!... Now as a burley bearded guy, can I wear this Reserve Flanker?..."you bet!"... With out a doubt!... I feel this one has that Truffle Funk further in the background. The Truffle is still there but not the main player... Now is it worth the money in today's market of Middle Eastern Dupes... To my wife it does!... Sometimes the original just has to be purchased. As always TF created a masterpiece!