Black Violet

Definitely the most "me" fragrance I've owned, although life has changed quite a bit from when I first wore it, most likely dressed in all black, with very high heels and short skirt, dancing to deep house with champagne in hand at 4AM. Sadly, I stored my bottle carelessly without the cap and the atomizer straw/nozzle helped the last bit dry out faster than I'd have liked. I thus asked for a decant recently for Christmas from what seems like everyone here's preferred vendor, Decant Boutique. What I received is so different, though it seems like a quality fragrance, that I can't imagine TF calling it the same thing as what I've always smelled. It's giving white flower and/or maybe iris? Could I have gotten black orchid by mistake? I don't remember that one, but might go find some to sniff. I do have one of my tiny Black Violet vials left, purchased before I afforded myself the standard one from TF boutique and have worn it recently, though it's indelible enough in my mind to remember its intoxicating, chypre, purple but not at all cloying scent. So I'm wondering if there was any change in formulation the time or two the big decanter bottles have been available in recent years (I think at Niemans?). I'm also adding this combination review and question, since it's very surprising to come to this page and see fruity and bergamot as the top notes...I feel like I'd have remembered that from past visits, since it's not how the top of this scent strikes me, but maybe it was always so and it's just that I'm still building my fragrance palate recognition. However, if you're considering a very expensive purchase of this, know that in this case I'd advise not to think of top and most prominent notes interchangeably. I think of dark dark, violet, mossy, woody, floral, feminine but not soft or indole, with a tiny bit of patchouli (not seeing a ton of concurrence on that, so again perhaps it's the breadth of my vocabulary there). It's early winter, a late night out during a secret rendezvous far away from home. You've no idea how much any of it costs but it's pure extravagance. To pull a phone out would be gauche, but your eyes are now doing the most important communicating anyway.

This scent is all about violets times three. It definitely has three levels from first sprtiz to dry down...but let me say that I'm very sad and disappointed that this scent was discontinued, because it was one of my all time favorite scents to come along. I still have the original bottle with a cuppla sprtizs left, which I cherish. Just bought a knock off, and it's ok, but the original is soft and sensuous-the knock off is a bit harsher. First blast is LOUD - Violets and Smokey. The smokey/woody/earthy gives it a masculine vibe. Smelled like someone was burning old violets, but the violets wanted to hang on through the smoke. Flowers/smoke - interesting. This is a dark scent and made me think of winter (I live in hot Florida and thought I was gonna perfume the whole state). This stage lasted on me about 20-30 mins. Then the violets with Bergamot and throw in a hint of citrus...this stage was violets, but more clear and clean, the smokeyness was gone and loud had become bright, clean violets. This i liked and felt a more masculine stage. However, scent had already dried down a lot. But at the drydown, oh wow...creamy violets. Geeezuz, beautiful scent, but very close to skin for me. Put it on at 5:30pm and by 8:00pm was pretty much gone. But very faint creamy violets still there. Mmmmmmm. Home and laid down to quietly read...Surprise! Here is steady but faint smokey violets again continuing to waft genlty but darkly. I think wearing this fragrance is mostly about wearing what I like just for me, not to let other's enjoy or score compliments. To me, it was very personal, like I was hanging out in my own personal earthy violet garden and my neighbor was burning leaves. A very unusual scent...have not worn anything like this before, but...I Love It! Still love it 11 years later...what the heck was Tom Ford thinking, letting this one just dry up on the vine!!! I wish he'd just give the recipe of this beauty to someone else so we can still enjoy this stuff!!

This was my favorite perfume and signature scent for a couple of years. A chypre (i see some reviews ripping on the oakmoss on here- but thats a key element of a chypre). I think it is more feminine than masculine, but still unisex- some of the men in my life have loved it when I wear this and wore it themselves when the opportunity arose. It is pretty strong but despite that has rather mediocre lasting power on me which has led me to layer it with clive christians x or killians cruel intentions. Some perfumes, i just breeze through, but i have only purchased one small bottle of this in my life and it has a little less than half the bottle remaining after about 2+ years of use. I can see how much is left because unfortunately I traveled with black violet and shampoo in the same ziplock and the shampoo leaked! All of the black covering on the bottle began to peel off and now it is a mostly clear, ugly looking bottle- but the juice inside is wonderful, deep, dark, woodsy, fruity, floral, mysterious and most importantly beautifully supports the prominent note of violet. I love tom ford and my messed up bottle doesnt make me too sad because i have another from his private collection on my dresser: tobacco vanille. I also own black orchid and black orchid voile de fluer along with a set of samples from the entire private collection! Keep the masterpieces comin' TF!

Nothing is ordinary about this heady scent. Everything is naturally extraordinary. Extraordinary or even extravagant, manufactured for a hedonistic lifestyle of sustainable beauty and excentric elegance. How wonderful! Overt hedonistic sexiness of .... TOM FORD at his apex designing for GUCCI! A Humid Hothouse of Florals exuding strong scent of SEX beautiful Men lost in boredom of a lush ORCHID filled room or is it Sensual Torpor... wearing a GUCCI Black Shirts...and nothing else.... Rubelli VENETIAN opulance takes over a purple laser cut velvet floral dress languid and luxe... Charlotte Rampling as imagined by HELMUT NEWTON at the NEGRESCO Hotel in Nice MAD and BAD and Dangerous to know... this fragrance promises danger....loudly saturated scent which arouses strong sensations, in its pure essence, it dominates the space. after seducing you .... it retreats into the shadows of of those luxurious velvets... sweet fruity notes linger ... as they deliver us to reality we....luxuriate in spreading confiture de myrtilles sauvages, wild berry jam over our Blinis realizing that the BELUGA caviar has long been finished.... ahhhhh how decadent ...

I love Tom Ford, I own four of his Private Blends and 5 of his others. But this Black Violet is not one I like. On me it’s nothing but heavy citrus and powder, that’s all, and it stays that way for a few hrs then it’s gone. I get no flowers, nothing but powdery citrus and no lasting power, I now understand why it was discontinued, it didn’t sell because it’s just not up to TF quality. It is definitely not worth the price TF charges for his perfumes . Never, not for this one. Tom Ford for me is either a hit or miss, I either love the scent or hate it. There is no in between. You’d better really love it if you’re gonna shell out the big $$$$ for it. And I do not. And that’s ok coz he has many other scents that are wonderful. Black Orchid is a masterpiece. Oud Wood is the only Oud I love. Nobody does Oud like Tom Ford....I could go on and on but this is a review for Black Violet, not the TF line.

I adore Black Violet, i think its much more interesting and much more refined than Violet Blonde (Which came up bland and smelt unfinished for me). Violet Blonde offers a balance of Powdery and Juicy violet with a woodiness that creates a scent that strikes a perfect balance of being able to be worn by both women and men. People have mentioned a smokiness or ashtray like quality and the fragrance definetly has that but its beautifully complimented by the Violet. Sorta makes me think of someone smoking a cigarette in a field of Violets. The fragrance dries down to something sopay but that beautifull smokiness still remains with a hint of citrus which helps the fragrance avoid smelling dirty. The lasting power is phenomenal and the projection is great 8/10

Like being trapped in a damp haunted forest in winter. Its strange and disturbing. On my skin it shares some similarities with Japon Noir. After the citrus subsides it becomes mossy and very resinous. Its probably the darkest fragrance i own. Would be perfect for a goth. This review may sound negative, but its not. I really love this perfume and think its very interesting; especially the way it changes over time. Not a perfect scent to cheer you up, but certainly interesting. It's longevity is like nothing i have ever encountered before, even in the other private blends which as a whole are very impressive longevity wise. It would last for days if you didnt wash. Give it a try! (the perfume, not the not washing)

I don't know about any of the notes listed, but let me tell you what I get.... A bright start but with a patchouli depth that begins to quickly direct the fragrance to a darker place. Smokey, warm and cool all at once without being heavy it persists in a rich tapestry of colours of smells that (would that they had a colour) be jewel tone shades of violet, burgundy and green with a light thread of beige connecting them all. I do not find that the mossy note overtakes the scent, but rather enhances it in a just-enough-to-be-the-leader kind of way. It's Indian incense tone takes me to a comfortable place of serenity and keeps me there for hours! Women should wear this! This is what Black Orchid wishes it was!

My review from a new 50ml bottle. It opens up somewhat loud. But really lovely. It settles down quickly. It's a class act as I have found with TF's. It is a mix of fruit and violet at first. I didn't get a big punch of citrus. Not a sickly sweet scent. Just creamy and delightful. Then the woods and oak moss get involved. Not overbearing... just a slight mix into the violet and fruit. No musky smell. It is a different violet than I've experienced before. Very deep and mysterious. More classy and smooth. It lasted on me 6+ hours. The dry down is just as pleasing as the opening. Lovely for men and women. Such a shame this is now discontinued. Silage also very good. Over all 9 out of 10 rating

I had to break policy and buy a full bottle of this. Violet and light fruit notes on top of heavenly, heady oakmoss with rich wood, hints of spice, and a few drops of bergamot in the drydown. I don't get powder or sweetness at any point. I've never encountered a violet fragrance quite like this one and I love it. It has no resemblance to Black Orchid that I can detect except for the name - it's an entirely softer, more subtle and elegant perfume. Sillage for me is modest to close, longevity is very good. I don't find that it leans either masculine or feminine.

An incredible and long lasting realistic violet perfume . So beautiful . Those of you who call this weak, and don’t smell the violet, you got a fake or you’ve never smelt violets. This was long discontinued and many fakes are going around of all the rare tom fords. I have the authentic vintage Black Violet. I sold a few decants. Im selling a couple more then saving the rest for myself. I also have Bois Rouge, Italian Cypress, Moss Breches, Japan Noir and the most beautiful Amber. Amber Absolute. They’re all from 2007-2010. Only selling a few samples.

I love this so much that I bought at least enough to wear everyday for 2 years before poof no more. My wife goes back and forth on this one, one day she likes it next time yuck lol but I truly don't care because it draws so many compliments like I love your perfume and women fanning it towards their nose with both hands like come to me as they admire this, hell I've even been followed around department stores by women threatening to do something to me. Wow what a staple to own great in all ways.

A bottle for syrens ! Very mossy and dark-green, mostly masculine. As a nose who doesn't really get along well with masculine notes, this is very addictive. I am wearing it on a rainy day, which unlocked its beast mode,. Honestly, made my day, gave me pure joy. ıf you're looking for a cheaper & available dupe, go for Carthusia - Corallium. TF is better for sure, but this one will gave you the same vibe.

love it, love it, love it!!! It's dark and sensual. I usually wear fresh and citrus based perfumes like some of the Annick Goutal or Jo Malone ones. But one smell of this and i kept going back for more. Despite the cost, i treated myself to a bottle of Black Violet". I have now also added "Japon Noir" to my collection.

Well , IMO it is one of the classics we ya in the perfume industry. It look like pour home intense CD to me. Unique in its own. Crowd pleaser and complement getter. I think Tom Ford should go for the intense version of it. It just lacks some performance compared to rest of TF private blends. It is a must have.

Another work of art by Mr. Ford. This starts off with a blast of citrus and a sweet Violet but drys down into a gorgeous, bitter, green Chypre. Even in the dry down, the Violet is still dancing around. The darkness in this keeps it unisex and allows it to shine in the colder months.

Powerful, powerful, powedery violet. Ridiculous longevity, and above average projection. This is not what i want to smell like. It reminds me of something an older woman would wear.

One of my summer favourites. It's a nice floral with a lot of citrus.. Very masculine scent in the beginning but dries down very soft and feminine.

This is just beautiful. Plunged into a violet world. Definitely feminine, wearable on men, but dayum this aroma is wonderful.

Just dug this back out, forgot how much I like it, dirty violet, not sweet or powdery. Shame it is discontinued.