Black Orchid

For the ladies: I'm not a big fan of Tom Ford. I was, when he was still art dirctor at YSL where he launched the amazing M7 frag for men and created the beautiful bottle. In 2005 he left and created his own brand (what else of a self proclaimed egomaniac) called: 'Tom Ford'. Cashing in on his supposed 'sex symbol' status for the ladies, he posed sedutively on a cover of Vanity Fair, where he sat clothed between an totally naked Scarlett Johansen and Keira Knightly. Although he is 100% and now openly gay. Sorry ladies. That misleading of people, I don't like with TF. I also don't like the excruciatingly overrated and overpriced 'Private Blends' by the man and his bigger than big ego. Those private blends are medicore frags dressed up in ridiculous expensive prices, so that when you bought one, you have to find it great or you would die of embarassement that you let yourself be fooled byt the TF marketing bulldozer. But I must confess, I find some of the first frags of his own house like 'Black Orchid' (2006) an unabasehdly and shmeless masterpiece on the same level as 'Opium', 'Chanel Coco' the first 'Lolita Lempicka'... I think he is a blown up poser who is capable of making the occasional great frag. 'Genius' I guess. And 'Black Orchid' is fabulous and gorgeous, make no mistake. As is the bottle. Praise where rightfully praise is due. How does 'Black Orhcid' tick and smell? It is a complex frag in the 'old school' style of the 'classics' mentioned here. Not 'Less is more', like the minimalist Bernard Ellena's for Hermès like 'Jardin après le Mousson', 'Toit', 'Nil'... but 'More is more'! Black Orchid is also like the Guerlains, the Diors... an intricate work with a symphony of notes. Top: jasmine, gardenia, ylang-ylang, bergamot, lemon, mandarin, blackcurrant, tuber; Middle: Spices, fruity notes, lotus, orchid; a very powerful base: vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, incense, vanilla, dark chocolate, amber. With that much notes it can go two ways: a cacaphonous mess where all these strong notes fight each other to death or a soul caressing harmony, outerworld beauty and olfactory bliss where all those notes pull together to play a team match and score. To make the symphony sound better and more than all seperate notes together. The sign of a True Great. Black Orchid scores big time. You can maybe in the long and lively development sometimes detect some separate notes for a short time like the dark chocolate, the incense, the orchid, the vanilla, the amber... But you are literarlly blown away by this concentrated mass attact of awesome perfume power. Smell and awe. Incense, dark chocolate, orchid, vanilla, amber and gardenia are the most pronounced notes for me. This is an gorgeous tsunami of fragrance brilliancy. This fragrances rocks, like 'Chanel 5' rocks and 'Jicky' rocks and 'Joy' rocks. And will always be rocking. This is Timeless Quality. Here not the top notes lead the dance but the formidable base. They let the middle and top exist, but as a compliment to the power of that exceptional strong base. The middle of orchid, spices, and fruity notes, plus the top of flowers enforce and interact with each other and with the base. They deepen the scent and make it more intricate. The result is one of the most intoxicating frags I know. 'Le Baiser du Dragon' by Cartier is the one that really resemble it the most IMHO. If you think 'Hypnotic Poison' makes you dizzy and giddy with pure delirious pleasure, try this magic potion. It is that magic of your first full blown good wet kiss. It is deep, dark, mysterious, earthy, sex in a bottle, unashamedly powerful strong and sensual. I'm a man, but I can imagine this being a 'man magnet'. It is without a doubt a masterpiece. The only masterpiece perfume of his own house to date sadly, apart perhaps from 'Tobacco Vanilla'. When you put this on you feel like Christine Lagarde of the IMF, Scarlett Johanssen, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Jake and Mary Gyllenhall, Uma Thurman, Penelope Cruz all rolled into one. Glamourous, ageless, unisex, beautiful, eternal beauty. A fragrance for strong personalities, but also a fragrance that in applying makes you feel stronger. And let there be not doubt: totally unisex! After a period I didn't use that bottle, I spritzed again a few weeks ago and now I am lost and addicted, hopelessly in love like an alcoholic who starts to drink after a 10 year dry spell. The power of 'Black Orchid' is that awesome. I quiver, I shiver, I sigh, I sniff myself like crazy. Put me for 24 hours in an isolation cell without food and drink, but give me a bottle of 'Black Orchid', I won't hesitate. Black Orchid is a masterpiece. Despite the ballooned ego of TF anno 2011. So if you like the clasics 'Opium', 'Coco', 'Arpège'... but you also like more modern 'big personality' frags like Narciso, Addict, Midnight and Hypnotic Poison, YSL Cinema, Gaultiers Classique, you'll love 'Black Orchid'. Don't let yourself be persuaded by reviews like mine and other less favorable. Try it and you'll surrender to the magic of Black Orchid. It is a one of a kind tour de force. I don't like Tom Ford since his 'Private Blends', but I love Black Orchid.' To death.

The "Black Orchid"... Where to start? Where does it start? With an immediate enigmatic whirl of olfactory notes that amaze, confuse and enrapture. I feel Amalfi lemon, Gardenia and what is I guess supposed to be the truffle, but it does not have the stench (as you can guess I am NOT a lover of truffles in their any shape or form), somehow it has the spicy and animalic facet, that is blended so brilliantly with the rest. There are a lot of fruits and spices, so the heart is somewhat tropical, but not as in beach cocktail or edible/gourmand fruits style, but a wonderous discovery of a new world of luscious flowers and unexplored forests with hidden treasures of pleasures unknown. I cannot discern the orchid or the lotus in the composition (I do personally believe that they never had a chance due to their gentle and etherial qualities), but ylang-ylang - oh yes!, - it is given a whole new role to play and it is re-discovered and opened up like never before. This exotic fruity freshness, with tart spiciness and unexpected and mysterious notes which keep teasing and drawing everyone in, with questions, guesses and complements, is then followed and masterfully concluded with the smoky bitterness of chocolate, streaked with golden amber, and soft delicacy of vanilla. I view the "Black Orchid" as not the perfume about a flower, but as a signature of Tom Ford's vision, his another black tuxedo that can be worn by both men and women, his understanding and appreciation of the human nature and its expression, his undoubted vision and unrestrained and fearless sexuality, that he taught us all to embrace and enjoy. The "Black Orchid" is an ode to freedom of being oneself and loving oneself just the way we are, it is the metaphysical bloom of each and every one's soul that is never the same or alike, and always, ALWAYS, absolutely irresistible!

I’ve been catching whiffs of this scent for years—it’s so unique, so recognizable, it practically announces itself before the wearer walks into a room. I adore it, and I know exactly what fragrance it is, but I always thought of it as a lady fragrance. Last year, though, fate (and a mall sale) brought me face-to-face with Tom Ford’s Black Orchid again. I sniffed it, and boom, my olfactory senses were instantly captivated. This fragrance on the test strip is dark, mysterious, and sensual; a creamy, flowery-sweet scent with just the right touch of earthy depth. I loved it so much, but I hesitated. I mean, I’m a guy (a gay guy, for sure, but still not usually rocking women’s fragrances). Then I thought: whatever, let's try it. So I tried it. Four sprays. Hung out with my friends at the mall. And let me tell you—it was strong AF. Like, people three escalators away could probably smell me. Hours later, it was still going strong, hanging on like glitter after a night out. But after 1–2 hours, it settled beautifully on my skin, revealing creamy truffle and dark chocolate notes. It is so yummy and enticing to my senses. Naturally, I bought the super cute 30 ml bottle right then and there. Throughout 2025, I wore it constantly, from traveling to hanging out, I always had good reactions and compliments from my friends and from other people. This winter, I crave it so much that I wear it to bed. I feel so cozy with this scent. The scent is potent, so I stick to one or two sprays depending on the occasion. That little bottle is surprisingly affordable to use, considering how long it lasts. Honestly, it’s climbed into my Top 5 favorite fragrances of all time. Iconic, addictive, and polarizing, you either love it or hate it. And me? I’m obsessed.

I can't believe I found a few drops in a sample spray vial while going through some of my perfumes that were stuck in storage. It must be at least 10 years old. No joke. I still remember when a woman gave it to me for free as she didn't like it and it was a half full vial years ago. I had moved houses several times since. Now I found this random vial which I thought would've been all dried up. I spritzed one tiny spray on my wrist and wow! It was the same as all those years ago, perhaps even more macerated. I'd never buy a full bottle of BO because I wouldn't use it up in my entire lifetime. One or two sprays on my skin and this sticks like crazy. I'm not going to comment on the notes because I can never quite tell what I'm smelling with this. Do not wear this in warm weather unless you want to suffocate yourself and perhaps people around you, though some say it blooms in the heat. This is strictly a cool weather perfume for me personally. It's my "bad bitch", wearing all black, black sunnies, black boots, wanting to be left alone by random people perfume. You could layer it with something a bit sweeter to make it more public friendly if you wanted to. It's sweet in a poisonous, stay away from me way on it's own. Though I did have one older lady working at the pharmacy compliment me on it, so perhaps she smelt something else, one of the fruity, floral, sweet notes. I have no clue if this has been reformulated now or they've just made so many other flankers. Once again, I'd only ever buy travel sized versions of anything TF. I love this though. It can definitely be glamourous on the right person too.

Wow... this perfume is so beautiful. It's truly special, and I agree with people saying that if you usually wear light, more standard perfumes, perhaps avoid trying this one too soon. The initial notes are truly explosive: mushroom, earth, and spice. It's strong and quite impressive the first time you smell it. But it develops beautifully. A slightly soapy scent emerges, undoubtedly the gardenia and ylang-ylang. Then come fresh, tangy, slightly green, and, yes, chocolatey notes. But a very dark and full-bodied chocolate (probably the patchouli) with a touch of smoky incense. Everything softens, with amber, ripe fruit, and those initial notes that create a distant yet ever-present memory. It's not the kind of perfume I usually wear, but since I first experienced it, I've wanted nothing more than to add it to my collection. It transports me in a way that very few perfumes have before. In a comments someone imagined Morticia Addams wearing it, and that's exactly right. Here's the image that comes to my mind... We enter a Victorian house, decorated entirely in black and purple. Morticia leads us to her orchid greenhouse, and all the scents hit us as soon as we enter. The slightly prickly damp earth, the smell of mushrooms, the green stems she's just cut from her precious black orchids. That sweet, amber floral scent. It's just so beautiful... Truly a masterpiece. So, at Tom Ford, they say the notes are as follows (which seem a little different here): Black Truffle Ylang-ylang Black Orchid Black Plum Rum Absolute Patchouli

Certainly! Black Orchid by Tom Ford is not just a perfume, it is a true icon of modern perfumery. Launched almost twenty years ago, it continues to divide and fascinate with its aura of mystery and opulence. Forget the fresh citrus notes of conventional perfumes. Although lemon and bergamot are present, they are immediately overwhelmed by the truffle and blackcurrant. The opening is dense, almost "gothic", with a narcotizing gardenia which immediately announces the strong character of the fragrance. The heart is a complex mix where the black orchid (an accord created ad hoc by Tom Ford to evoke a rare and non-existent flower in nature) marries with warm spices and fruity notes. It is not an innocent sweetness; it is a mature sensuality, emphasized by lotus and ylang-ylang, which give an almost creamy and hypnotic nuance. The real masterpiece lies in the base. Mexican chocolate and patchouli create a "dark" and gourmand accord that is never cloying thanks to the incense and vetiver. This is where the perfume becomes enveloping, leaving an extraordinary sillage and persistence. Black Orchid is not for the faint of heart. It's a fragrance that "wears you" as much as you wear it. It is luxurious, eccentric and deeply theatrical. If you're looking for something discreet for the office, look elsewhere; if you are looking for an olfactory signature that leaves its mark, you have found it.

I've had my 100ml bottle sitting full in my cabinet for 10 years. While we hadn't matched before upon testing long ago, I recognized that something's still appealing, even if only the aesthetic and imagination of someday wearing it comfortably. Dozens of bottles have come and gone as this sat in a dark rear corner of my fragrance cabinet waiting its turn to perhaps disappear too. But no. As my senses evolved to understand variances of scent performance in changing environments, my tastes have changed too. I can now appreciate dark, sweetly floral and spicy scents matched to seasons, weather, moods and occasions. I've also grown somewhat tired of many designers I've collected. Their scent overlap creates a bulk of redundancy which, to my nose, becomes boring and simultaneously overwhelming; a wardrobe stuffed with outfits of little variation in a shy comfort zone. Since realizing this, bottles are flying off my shelves at resale prices that make my stomach turn, but the there's little resale power for what's so common in fragrance world. Anyway, today's the day I'm finally, fully wearing my Black Orchid and... She blooms in the imagination to a hauntingly alluring woman. The scent dresses like a look on its own; on me, it's a black silk robe with deeply earth-toned winding floral applique throughout. It's decadent and simply gorgeous. I'm so, so glad I never let go. 🖤

This is such a sad, miserable little fragrance. I fucking love it. For the other goths out there: this is the one. I was skeptical originally, because people will call wearing a black t-shirt and pants goth these days. And in the fragrance world stuff gets called "gothic" for... having a rose note? But nah, this one is actually goth. It smells like if you put The Cure in a blender and turned their records into a perfume. A flower in an empty bar, the wood floors slightly damp from the humidity of the rain pouring outside. It feels lonely. Deep blacks and purples. Feminine, but not girly or womanly. Androgynous in a tender sort of way. Lithe bodies and lips. A soundtrack via smell. It's apparently "polarizing" or whatever for normal people, but I mean it when I say every goth needs to put this to their nose at least once. The blending is an utter masterpiece. It's so ethereal and "lava-lamp-like" that it brings to mind the wall of sound layering from Loveless by MBV. I had no idea things could smell like this. Black Orchid is truly art, and that's coming from someone who generally doesn't even like florals. It's so special that I almost don't want to spray it too often, even though it makes me feel so profoundly at peace with myself. I don't wanna go without this, and I'll be keeping it close throughout my life just like all my favorite albums.

I discovered this 10 years ago casually walking through the mall. A fragrance salesperson was representing Tom Ford and I randomly stopped, and I swear that was fate. I was initially attracted to the sexy goth bottle and never heard the name Tom Ford before. When I smelled it, I never smelled anything like it ever before and it blew my mind and I had to buy it. The salesperson also explained to me that it was unisex, and I liked the idea of how it truly felt edgy and not so feminine. For me, this is my signature scent since that day. I love how dark and spicy it is. It feels lethal, like what a villain or femme fatale would wear in a film noir. My friend got 10 perfume variety sampler, and this was her least liked. She did not like it. Said it was a mix of grandma and grandpa, which I get, bc it does give more mature and advanced, as opposed to a young bright fragrance. Because of this, I now love the polarizing strong scents, and boy is Black Orchid strong! Everyone will smell you. There’s vanilla in the base, so sometimes I use vanilla lotion to bring out more vanilla, or add a vanilla perfume (Vanilla Sex) to alter the scent a bit which has received positive feedback. Wish more BOLD masterpieces like this existed.

An absolute MASTERPIECE! Dark, mysterious, smooth, alluring. When I wear this, I don't walk into a room, I float in supernaturally like Dracula. That's it! This is a scent a vampire would wear when he's out hunting beautiful women. Strong chocolaty scent with florals beneath it (violets?). To put in colors, this scent smells black & purple to me. It's heavy but smooth, never harsh. For women, any age can wear this. For men, this is an ADULT fragrance. A confident, secure MAN that knows how to approach and talk to women without coming off as a creep or a dudebro can wear this. This smells like seduction (not sex, learn the difference). I feel confident when I wear this because I know this scent will create an awesome scent memory with whoever encounters me. And as a man of color, this fragrances smells like it was made for me. Yes, it's "supposed to be" a colder weather fragrance, but I wear this year around...and only at night. It lasts 8+ hours on my skin and it project extremely well. I go 4 sprays at night, 5 sprays if it's a big space or outdoors. Women LOVE it. So if you're out to transfix and seduce the opposite sex, Black Orchid needs to be in your collection. 10/10 Easily Backup Bottle Worthy!

Tom Ford's Black Orchid is in my opinion a spectacular perfume. Although it is marketed as a feminine fragrance, a man can (and should) wear it with full conviction. On a man, it takes on a mysterious, exquisite, and tremendously distinctive character, setting itself far apart from the conventional. The composition is complex with a multitude of notes, but the predominant one for me, from the opening through to the dry down, is (obviously) the orchid. It's a dark, luxurious, and beautiful orchid that intertwines with the background notes—especially vanilla and spices—without them ever overpowering it. The overall effect is creamy, deep, and very seductive. It's a potent fragrance with notable projection and exceptional longevity on skin and, especially, on clothes. It's ideal for evening occasions in autumn and winter, where its intense and sophisticated character truly shines. It's perfect for dates or strolls with an aura of mystery, but I wouldn't recommend it for formal meetings or very confined spaces, where its presence could become overwhelming. My personal score: Scent: 8/10 Projection: 9/10 Longevity: 10/10 Versatility: 6'5/10 (Due to its intensity and bold character)

I've just been gifted a bottle and I filled with dread upon taking it. In the past, my nose has read Black Orchid as 'lightly floral dirt' and left it at that. Urged by the potential guilt of not liking this gift, I set out to give it a thorough test-drive. Black Orchid is beautiful. And I mean that sincerely; I haven't just convinced myself I like it! Opening, the scent is admittedly weird. The earthy truffle note does take centre stage, but as its co-stars develop, it settles into a pleasant earthiness. As the mexican chocolate, hints of spice, and vanilla come through, they meld into something very rich and flavoursome, and sweet but in no way cloying. The florals are subtle but there, far from being 'flowery'. I could continue listing accords, they're all there, and they work in harmony, contrasting, complementing, and rounding off a very lovely, earthy fragrance. It lasts a good 10 hours on me, and dries down without losing its character. Projection is good and it gets compliments. Despite popularity, Black Orchid isn't too common and it wouldn't struggle to be unique in most crowds. TF often fails to impress me, but, thanks to Black Orchid, I might be coming round...

I don’t know how to say this without it sounding weird, but to me, this perfume evokes the imagery of a decadent bouquet of dark flowers laid upon a grave that’s covered in moss at night, with a slight mist in the air. This is definitely a deep, dark, and mysterious fragrance that I think deters people away, or lures them in. I personally adore this scent, and can understand why it’s stereotyped as being gothic. The truffle in this is really strong, and I think anyway makes this perfume very earthy. It’s a beautiful scent, but like a Morticia or Vampira beautiful. I think I’ve heard that this was also Michael Jackson’s signature scent, and I know a few ‘clean girl’ girlies really liking this scent too...I guess it evokes different things to everyone, but to me, it smells extremely gothic, and would suit people with bold personalities, whether that be gothic or not. Sillage is strong, longevity is good, and it’s a classic. Don’t blind buy, because it’s definitely not for everyone. I’ve seen people recoil from this. I’m glad I’m one of the ones that love it though 🤭

I am wearing it today, and the experience is nothing short of magnificent. Black Orchid carries itself with an imposing, almost regal presence refined, impeccably constructed, and utterly self-assured. This is a fragrance for someone who truly understands the finer things in life. Divisive by nature, Black Orchid makes no apologies for what it is. It does not court the masses, nor does it try to please everyone and that is precisely the point. This is not a scent for the casual wearer or someone just beginning to explore the world of fragrance. It belongs to those who are already well within the hobby, to collectors who have cultivated an extensive wardrobe of scents and have developed the palate to appreciate its depth and complexity. It is also not built for daily wear. Black Orchid is an occasion fragrance deliberate, dramatic, and best reserved for moments that deserve it. Its character truly comes alive in the fall, when cooler temperatures amplify its dark, opulent character and let it settle into the skin the way it was intended.

I love this and it carries sentimental value for me. My mother used to wear this a lot when I was a bit younger and I recently sprayed some from an old batch stored in her closet. It’s the scent I connect to her the most. I also believe this was highly influential in how my nose developed as I always loved it. I mostly get a heavy truffle accord backed by the deliciousness of the chocolate. To my nose, the spices give this a crispness and lift. There is a very subtle sweetness, but nothing over the top. Overall very dark, dense, and gourmand...well made. Performance is excellent. This is a bit feminine leading, but I think I’ll give it a shot in the colder months — particularly on days I feel like making a statement. If I close my eyes, I can only picture a black velvet, wide-lapel, double breasted suit jacket in a dark room with dim lighting. Or an older lady with a nice black dress on. Bold! Sensational scent... I might as well make good use from what’s left from that bottle. One of my favorites for sure.

overhated for no reason!!!!!!!! it's more citric than I expected but that only made it better IMHO, I think ppl r totally over exaggerating it's "heaviness" But beware, I spritzed it lightly js 2 times and my nostrils were on fire (coming from someone who sprays at least 10 times) Edited: its been at least 4 months since I first got it and I have a LOTTT more to say... firstly the opening is my least fav part cuz its TOO citrusy which doesn't go with the theme imo. But the dry down? HEAVENLYYY UGHHHHHH. it's so dark and mysterious, the floral aspect is almost gone but lingering still. The spices have completely taken hold and there's definitely something peppery in there that takes it to a whole new level. Undoubtedly this is the part that they meant to showcase in the marketing. My shawl still smells like it after a week. Can't get enough when it dries down buttttt I do have to get through the opening, the middle is where the spices make their appearance so that's quite enjoyable as well.

A pearlescent chalcedony in twilight. Very stately, and mysterious. Undeniably a white flower fragrance, all the same, it has an undercurrent that steers it away from melancholia. This is a gothic, epicene fragrance with teeth. The scent profile of someone clever and self-assured. You can get away with wearing it on a spring or summer day, provided, you have the poise to carry it. Despite hundreds of reviews everywhere that this is nuclear, my skin drinks this particular juice up, even when I'm freshly showered and moisturized. I need several GOOD sprays of Black Orchid. I never catch whiffs of it on myself after the first hour, unlike other perfumes. I have received a hug while wearing it and got a passing comment that I smell nice, which does not necessarily indicate if it's solely a skin-scent for me, all the same, when I spray it on clothes, my family has commented once that it is 'strong'. Do with that what you will.

So, how times and lives change, right? I wrote a scathing, horrible review for this fragrance back in 2015. I was relatively new to niche and designer fragrances, so I was exploring many different scents to find my niche, my style. I recently became re-intrigued with white floral notes, so I decided to retry Tom Ford "Black Orchid." What can I say? This is a total love. I'm mad at myself for keeping this perfume off my radar for nearly a decade! That's TEN YEARS! I guess my perfume nose and my perfume preferences have evolved a bit. This fragrance is lovely. It's thick, heady, rich and intoxicating. I get immediate notes of dark petrichor, lots of patchouli, dark chocolate, mixed white florals, vanilla, some incense. The fragrance morphs on skin for a few hours. Not suitable for "daily" wear here in sunny hot South Florida. It will be an occasional reach. Love it!!

(sample only - 2024) Had... for some reason 3 samples of this - sellers were feeling generous. It is categorically just a lovely fragrance, that a good portion of people will find utterly repulsive. Also, this is so not just a women's fragrance, it's unisex through and through. Performance is second to none, it will not dissipate until you shower and it will assault everyone's nose holes. Scent wise, I don't really know how to describe it - on top the jasmine is very heavy for me, settled down it smells like botanical heaven with cinnamon mulled whiskey (is that a thing probably not) underneath. It's heady, and gorgeous. Seductive - illusive. It is strong however, so nights and winter months! 9/10 - i say this so often, not necessarily for regular use for me but I want it anyway cause it smells so divine.

i have no idea whats in this god im just in love with it. i'd say this might even be my favorite fragrance, almost nothing tops the drama going on in this for me. its a mood on itself to say the least. i couldnt fucking love this thing more, just such a confident masterpiece and the best head turner there is. the sillage is just perfect too leaving a trail without being overwhelming and room filling at all. i personally dont find this too dramatic for daily wear to be honest but that's solely because my preferences are on the bolder side. obviously goes much better with colder weathers and nighttime, maybe even in the spring as well but i'd rather skip on the summer heat, because with that sillage this could probably turn into something almost headache inducing on overly hot days.