Sahara Noir

What was the Tom Ford brand on about? Was he making a joke? To say this is a feminine fragrance, and push it as such so hard, is akin to saying incels are feminists. Not that I care one way or another, feminine or masculine, rock it if you love it. But I thought from the get-go that the brand backed this perfume into a corner when they refused to say men ought to try it too. It didn't sell, and they discontinued it. What shame. This business of art, right...? When I applied it to my arms and the tops of my hands, it shimmered. It was like I had applied a really light body oil or bronzer, glowing orange like desert sands. Once it dried and began to hug my skin the shimmer disappeared, but by then I didn't notice because I was stunned by this perfume. There is a sweetness to it from the honey note, which melds beautifully with the juicy orange at the top and the bright florals in the middle. The honey, citruses and florals are seamless and inseparable. But, these are really quite secondary and tertiary to the whole of this perfume. Going back to the opening, when it shimmered on my skin, I was hit by what smelled like glowingly hot, red-orange, dusty Arabian desert sands and smoldering frankincense. And when I say hot, I mean hot. It is uncommon for perfumes to capture something palpable like the heat of the sun, but this does so very convincingly. This amber is on fire. The frankincense is a stunner, absolutely gorgeous, complex, and feeding like a wild beast off of that red-orange hot dusty desert energy from the amber base. The florals and fruits that I mentioned appearing in the opening give an impression of their oils roasting in the scorching orange light. But, it's the labdanum and frankincense that are the stars of this show. All of the other notes are checks-and-balances, making sure that the frankincense and labdanum do not run too far off course. As the fragrance dries down, the bright orange heat of the midday sun passes, and the dusty sands, flowers, and trees are allowed to cool, and the frankincense cools as well. Letting the frankincense shape-shift and change temperature gives a remarkably effortless sense of time passing by, of the frankincense going on into eternity, and that's managed by Rodrigo Flores-Roux's exceptional handling of the labdanum, balsam, and mossy base. The final skin scent, after many hours, is a warm, honeyed, woody, and incense-flecked amber that feels a lot cooler relative to the heat of the opening and middle. Sahara Noir is strong, it is loud, it is confident, and it will cast its hot incense, sun scorched florals, and amber embers into the air like an explosive bonfire. Tom Ford, this is not a feminine fragrance, but neither is it masculine. It's its own thing. Like the Arabian desert itself, it doesn't care what you think of it, it's going to be what nature made it - the red, the orange, the heat, the rock florals, the smoldering incense, the gritty sands, and the alluring romanticism of a rich and complex history. Anyone can enter the desert, but be intensely prepared. I am absolutely in love with this perfume. It is simply stunning.

I sampled this one a few years ago while sniffing Tom Ford Private Blend fragrances and loved it! So much that I brought home a full bottle. Sahara Noir is a terrific incense fragrance is that is warm, dry, and has that sandy-desert feel to it, for sure. I basically get incense, myrrh, oud/woods and a wonderful blend to support the composition. I do sense amber but it's not a fragrance that becomes amber dominant in the dry-down. Instead, this one remains an interestingly mysterious incense scent, which is appropriately named. Sahara Noir projects well above average and lasts a long time on my skin; 12-hours and counting in most cases. Sahara Noir is similar is some ways to Comme des Garcons Avignon, but only for a moment or two. Then they are two vastly different incense fragrances. Avignon is cool, crisp, clean and ethereal while Sahara Noir is warm, dry, sultry and a little naughty. Sahara Noir is a fragrance one wears while sinning while Avignon is something one wears while confessing their sins. I envision myself wearing Sahara Noir while enjoying an interlude with Sister Mary Elizabeth (my 6th grade teacher) and Miss Hall (my 3rd grade teacher) who are both wearing Avignon. Needless to say, they are both down on the knees confessing their sins to me. (Lol) There is oud in this fragrance, but don't let that scare you as it plays only a supporting role; it is an elegant and smooth oud much like how Creed uses oud in Royal Oud...certainly not sweet or medicinal. IMO, Sahara Noir is 75% masculine and I don't feel that most women, in general, would enjoy wearing this one. Most of the sales clerks I asked did not like it, but one absolutely loved it. To me, physically and mentally strong women such as Xena: Princess Warrior can rock this one. Then again, the same can be said about men wearing this fragrance as meek, weak and mild-manner men need not apply it to their skin. Finally, while I do love Avignon, I love Sahara Noir even more. To me, it is a much more interesting and better performing fragrance. It's certainly worth a try.

This scent is amazing! I ordered a sample because i didn't want to blind buy it. Honestly at first I didn't know if I hate it or love, it is so bizarre. I had to ask numerous people what they think about it on my skin, some said it's repulsive, others liked it. The frankincence is STRONG in this one! And to anyone from my culture this is something strongly associated with the incense they burn in Orthodox churches. So at first I was not sure: Do I like smelling like church? This type of heavy oriental frags are not my typical go-tos, it is heavy, heady and very unique and engaging, not something everyone would like. However, I couldn't stop sniffing myself wearing this, it is literally hypnotizing. It really reminds me of hot dry desert, exotic oriental spices and is VERY seductive, even perverse. I am not sure this is ok for day wear, but at night..very exciting!!I think I will buy the full size after all, I just can't stop thinking about this frag and its uniqueness. I can see it very well as unisex too. UPDATE: Now that I have the full size bottle and have worn it a lot lately I have to say that this gem has one downside: it doesn't last as long as I wish and expected it would: it is gone from my skin on the 3rd or 4th hour, on my clothes it performs much better, maybe 10-15 hours? How are you people getting more than 4 hours out of this on your skin, I want to know?! My skin is a bit dry overall, still I wanted this to last longer.. It's a pity, because it is such a beautiful and unique (and pricey too!) fragrance! I noticed that on my clothes and after a few hours it reminds me of DSquared He Wood Rocky Mountain (love this mens frag so much!) - that wet, smoky wood aspect of it. Plus a wee bit of sandalwood trace.

Beautiful, classy, hot, dry and reeking sexily of very dominant frankincense. Intensely aromatic and to me, perfectly unisex BUT ONLY for those of any gender who like their resins heavy and on the almost-bitter, very punchy side, rather than milder and sweeter. Gorgeous spicing redolent of only the best stalls in the market, with the sourer notes held well in balance. Much more heavily 'oriental' in feel than even some of the other warmer or spicier end of Tom Ford's offerings. Projection and longevity both rock solid. It has real charisma. I heard its legend and sought it out via some pretty unsavoury corners of eBay; dodging several clearly fake bottles now selling for astronomical prices I got hold of a small and genuine decant. No disappointment whatsoever: I can smell very clearly why it got so famous and I'm as sad as anyone that it got discontinued. However: don't lose hope, because the one thing this ISN'T, which its reputation might suggested to me that it was, is "unique" or "like nothing else". It's actually pretty much like several other frankincense-dominant hits like Avignon or Black Cashmere or Profvmvm Roma Olibanum. To me, most of all, it smells like an almost-twin of Atelier des Ors' Larmes du Desert - which is even more spare and rugged and outdoorsy, and also expensive, but still in production. So if you're mourning Sahara Noir and can't find anything like it, try those... and if you ever get to pick up remaindered, partially used or very cheap (but genuine) Sahara Noir, do jump on the chance. But I can't feel it would be worth fetishising and dedicating loads of money or time to hunt out at vintage-premium prices. Other shimmering plutocrats' frankincense palaces can be found.

Sahara Noir opens with a burst of fleeting bitter orange, along with a slightly acrid, dark calamus and Labdanum. Cypress is mentioned in the notes but I dont detect it individually. The heart to me is a rich, dark, vibrant Incense blending with a dry beeswax and papyrus. The incense papyrus blend in this is reminiscent to me of L'Artisan Timbuktu. The base is again a rich blend of balsamic amber, benzoin, and resinous labdanum with some woody nuances from the cedar and oud notes. In summation, I would call this a Balsamic Incense n amber frag. Projection is strong for the initial hours and being EDP concentration, longevity is excellent as well. 3-4 sprays lasts 10 plus hours on me. Sahara Noir has been discontinued which I think is a shame. Now this was officially marketed for Women which I think was a little weird. Now dont get me wrong, I personally feel all frags are unisex free to be worn by anybody but this is a composition that is not going to appeal to all women. None of the women among my family or friends, although they liked it on me for the most part, could see themselves wearing it. The Consensus by and large was it was more on the masculine side and because of this, I think Tom Ford would have been better served putting this in the Private Blend Line. In closing, I would say Sahara Noir is a genuine classic. If you like fragrances like Lutens Ambre Sultan, Tom ford Amber Absolute, Dior's Mitzah ( another discontinued gem) MFK's Grand Soir or the above mentioned Timbuktu,do yourself a favour and do check this out. I am really glad I have it and really enjoy wearing it in cooler weather or for nights out

Without a doubt, mt favorite woody, amber. INCENSE perfume ever. Everything comes together, mostly in support of the mysterious, smoky incense note. While it's definitely a Westernized concept of a fabulous Arabian perfume, it hits the spot for me, right from the first spritz. Why, why has this been discontinued? That's a rhetorical question of course, but it's so hard to understand how a fragrance I consider to be a masterpiece can be shoved off to make room for other, more profitable perfumes. Here's my problem. All I have is a carded sample and I definitely need a full bottle. I'm sure other fans know how very pricey bottles - even used bottles - go for on Ebay. While I will continue to search, I know that I will eventually pay through the nose. So, I ask my fellow Fragranticians if anyone would be willing to swap a decant - say 5-10 mls - in exchange for a decant or decants from my collection. If so, please message me. I simply MUST have this in my collection! PS - 2 things. First, I see that I already basically begged for a decant several months ago even though I had never tried. Now, I am begging twice as hard! 😉 Second, I see so many reviewers describing this as more masculine, and while it's definitely unisex and I would likely swoon if I smelt this on a man, it makes ME feel like a goddess because it's just so sexy! So if you are a woman whose tastes lean more towards traditionally "feminine" types of scents, don't fret. It's kind of like the perfume manifestation of yin and yang!

My taste with ambers has slowly gone through an evolution from dark and sweet ones to more dry ones – and this is my current favourite. It is dense, deep and rich, it has the dry quality of desert wind – and the floral notes develop into an amazing green focal point on my skin, like an oasis in the middle of the desert. This is a very cultural reference, but in my country, we love our saunas. At the beginning of the summer, it is a tradition to collect some birch branches and tie a bunch of them together. The bunch – "vihta" – is used in the sauna, it is dipped in the water, rolled on top of the stove and people will whip their skin with it lightly. It feels amazing, so relaxing, and the green scent the bunch is emanating is so beautiful. And somehow the green heart of Sahara smells exactly like that. Can't get these notes initially and it takes time for them to develop on my skin, but it happens every time I wear this – and it feels like a small miracle. I don't find this difficult to wear at all. It is rich, deep and dark, but the sillage is polite. Even my fragrance-sensitive friends don't complain (on the other hand I do apply lightly). Lasts for ages. Too bad it is discontinued. I think that the mistake TF made with this was marketing it as a female scent. Can't get more unisex than this. I think I have a decant of L'Air du Desert Marocain with a birch note, have to find it for comparison. Would love to find a good replacement when I run out my bottle and backup.

Finally it's mine, thanks to a swap with an AMAZING Fragrantician. I have wanted this for so long, but just couldn't bring myself to risk spending hundreds of dollars on eBay knowing that Tom Ford is frequently counterfeited. I feel like Cleopatra floating on the most exquisite incense, the type I have been searching for for so long, but never quite hits the spot. It's funny because it's definitely a unisex scent, and yet I feel so sexy and seductive - like the mythologized version of Cleo - that It really feels feminine on me. I am going to see what it is like on my husband. He can be my Marc Antony. As far as longevity goes, I recall from a sample I once had that it is long lasting. Silage is impressive - two sprays on my wrists and it is surrounding me. That is so rare for my perfume eating skin. I hate to say it, but Sahara Noir has knocked the original Opium off it's pedestal as my favorite oriental of all time. I am so happy to own my precious unicorn that I hope the temperature doesn't get too warm too quickly! PS - Reading the reviews below, I'm surprised at how many people think this is mostly a masculine fragrance that most women would shy away from. This is clearly unisex,but straight down the middle for me. As stated, I feel very much like a woman wearing this. Of course, tastes vary, so no one is wrong, but I just find it hard to believe that this doesn't have more female fans than the reviews would suggest.

Tom Ford Sahara Noir, its a unisex fragrance, heavy duty performance with high end quality ingredients, to someone who collects and checked many frags, this is a special one, in its own league a Masterpiece. I can see why discontinued, a daring fragrance and probably with high cost production due to the ingredients used. This starts bitter orange with not so sweet with the honey in the back and in some way helped by the strong base of benzoin and oud. To not forget the spices that sparkling all this first moment. After this pungent start, it melts down to the insense, honey, benzoin and spices more balanced and less bright, like an very good incense with some sweetness. The fragrance smells dry like the sand of the Desert. Its balsamic and the amber is wonderfull too. To describe the fragrance imagine being in the desert close to a church burning insence, smell of the dried sand and nearby a market full of precious spices with some honey, oud, amber and some Egyptian balsamic. It is so good this fragrance, full of layers, colors and movement. Daring fragrance, beautifully blended. This balsamic, sweet amber incense its very relaxed and smooth our mind. Two sprays its enough for the all day. This was only produced in 50ml bottles, if you see any other size be aware to be not the real deal. Veredict 10 in a 10. If you have the opportunity try it, even once in your life.

No Tom Ford release dares to hold a candle to Sahara Noir, not even the very best of their private blend. It's like when lab scientists in horror movies come up with a "Frankenstein" molecule, and then it grows and evolves into a monster. This is what might have happened at Tom Ford beauty. I think they discontinued it because they couldn't afford the liability of having such an advanced and evolved "entity" in their lineup lol. Jokes aside: If you burn raw frankincense resins, the first reactions when you spray Sahara Noir are shock and awe. It doesn't smell like a perfume, it smells like a ceremony of burning the finest frankincense resins of the highest quality, which makes me entertain the idea that this might be the actual reason why they discontinued it? Who knows. But things don't stop there, because that would be boring right? No worries, Rodrigo Floris-Roux got you covered. Sahara Noir is a masterpiece in complexity, it reveals layers after layers of hidden notes, you just have to dig in beyond the frankincense smoke. Animalic beeswax, labdanum, papyrus, rose and amber all beautifully weave in and out. The harder you inhale with your nose, the more you discover. I don't expect this to be coming back. I would be surprised if it does. They don't make them like this anymore. I'm holding on my barely used precious bottle like Gollum.

I loved this scent enough to buy. (Okay, I buy a lot of perfume...and there goes my pension and my 401s), but I love it enough to deviate from my Serge Lutens and a host of others). As I read the reviews, I'm puzzled by the "gender" discussions; Sahara really seems to polarize on whether it's "female" or "male." As a middle-aged woman, this imho is a unisex perfume (I think they all are)--but personally, I see it as more feminine because incense and the 60s 70s blur with my associations of women then that smelled like headshops--all amber, patch, incense scents, and to my "scent memories"--sophisticated. This is a really well done frankincense-amber-incense-cedar/oudish vanilla. I love the rose that beats throughout this until the end of day. Looking at the (purported) ingredients, I do not smell as much of the bitter orange, or perhaps it's just beautifully blended with the cedar-wood aspects. The ingredient list seems fairly "true" in this review. This is a well-crafted and balanced perfume, that walks a tighrope between bitter-astringent-dry, and warm-sweet-smooth. Might be a bit much in the summer/day, but I love it enough to keep in permanent rotation for all the other times. Wouldn't wear to a business meeting, but definitely would wear to a date (and pretty much everywhere else including grocery shopping).

Just sprayed it Rich, thick and oily frankincense Resinous and balsamic Animalic Must be labdanum and castoreum From a distance it is more ethereal Up close it is thick incense smoke No sweetness at the top Dark and Gothic It's not quite how I remembered it It has sparkles of genius The wafts of the skin are dreamy: Close your eyes and you are transported back in time to midnight mass on Christmas day 800 a.D. Charles Magne has just been crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire You are an illiterate peasant, have no idea of the significance of what you have just witnessed, but know deep down in your soul that the air you are breathing, that perfumed smoke is godly You are transcending your physical self Reaching eternal peace from within... And then SNAP! You are back in 2016, sitting on the sofa in the lounge next to a bottle of Tom Ford Sahara Noir Nothing has changed, but you have, you have traveled far and wide all through the hidden genie in the bottle next to you, which you release sparingly with a single puff You are back in reality and life is normal again, inside you still feel the warmth of Sahara Noir which crackles away on your skin like the distant embers of a fire dying out You smile.

This reminds me of the clove cigarettes that I used to smoke years ago (even though clove isn't actually listed as a note). It also reminds me of having a fire in the fireplace in the same room as a fir Christmas tree. It's incense but with a smoky dryness to it instead of a rich sandalwood/vanilla note being very prominent. It is absolutely unisex! I am aware that this description doesn't sound all that appealing in a fragrance because I thought the same thing. Initially I was surprised, blindsided even like when a monster in a horror movie grabs you and you weren't ready for it. (I mean absolutely all of that in a good way.) I think I might love it! It's a high risk for overdose fragrance which can leave you hating it forever if you overdo it so remember a dab will do ya. ETA: Olibanum (Frankincense) isn't listed as a note here but that could fall under the ambiguous "incense" note. I do smell it at first but the drydown is much woodier than straight up Olibanum. Mystery resins indeed. EDIT AGAIN: The description has been updated, I was right about the Frankincense being in there (Orpur not the cheaper kind)

One of my favorites and absolutely unisex despite what others have written. Very good layering scent as well, forms a perfect foundation for other fragrances, especially spicy or sweet ones. Luckily for me I don't detect too much amber as people have compared this one to SL ambre sultan which I find too spicy for my liking. This reminds me more of armani prive bois d'encens on my skin especially in the opening. It might not be listed but I get a lot of beautiful, well blended frankincense which seems to be the entire base of this fragrance. The other notes are simply complimentary. Sweetness starts to form in the drydown as the scent warms up on the skin. But this isn't a sticky, amber sweetness that I actually detest. This is a pleasant, meditative woodsy sweetness with a very subtle hint of cinnamon and vanilla. This is a very voluptuous fragrance- heavy bodied, plush and warm. It's also smoky, seductive and sexy but still retaining a lightness to it. I don't understand why this was discontinued, perhaps to the western nose this is way too much or reminiscent of Sunday mass. A must try for any incense lover.

Sahara Noir is easily Tom Ford's best scent. And not just in his favourite category, the oriental. With a ludicrous marketing campaign Sahara Noir was doomed to fail from the beginning, so thank heavens for the vintage market! What was going through their heads when this was brought out, I can't even come to imagine. This is an incense (frankincense) scent through and through. In fact I waited for ages before writing this review until I could get to try some true incense (the type that is burned, usually in a church) before reviewing this scent. There is little else going on here - it's frankincense from beginning to end and hence the progression is minimal, if it’s even there. Incense, medicinal, meditative and to me the sort of gift a wise man would be carrying on the way to Bethlehem. Projection and longevity are both nuclear, which makes it a shame that this scent is now discontinued. For those looking for incense, this should be your starting point and it may well be where you end up staying. It's just a shame this house can't produce anything quite as good and keep it on the shelves.

Wow this is so raw, I’m in love. The top notes are boozy. It has an ancient character, this smells like something an Egyptian God would wear. It definitely veres masculine but it isn’t abrasive in any way, it’s such a smooth blend. Sahara Noir is resinous and balsamic with a bitter green frame. It’s truly special and carries so much depth and complexity. This is incomparable with anything I have ever tried, it doesn’t smell like any amber scents I own. Imagine the ancient section of a beautiful, worldly museum. It’s slightly dusty but it has the excitement of a new discovery and strengthens your anticipation. Sillage and longevity are amazing. What I love the most is how this fragrance carries a presence and commands respect with the ethereal and sincere notes. But there is a charismatic and natural sweetness from the labdanum and honey. It isn’t mass appealing but it’s an innovative masterpiece. If Orientals and resins are your preference, we found the King, only he has been put to rest. 😖

I need them to make another killer incense like this, definitely my favorite tom ford that I've tried. Personally I think this blows other popular TFs out of the park like tobacco vanille, jasmine rouge, lost cherry, black orchid, I would definitely choose this over them but I also love resinous scents, and this is not as casually wearable and for me I'd only wear in very cold weather. No incense fragrance has hit me like this one, a complex labdanum bomb, high quality ingredients, unisex. Definitely retest because at first it just seems like dry resin. Very dry, gothic, but dressed in vibrant gold over a campfire. Really sends me straight to the nativity, transportive, spiritual, unsettling, fever-dreamy and beautiful. To me this is the ultimate christmas scent because it's not sweet or cozy but very contemplative. Demands your attention like a zealous christian

A Transcendent Experience When I once entered the perfumery in search of incense fragrances, this gift from the Orient was recommended to me. The moment the scent reached my nose, I closed my eyes and felt as though I had stepped into the most beautiful cathedral in the world. The incense embraced me and invited me to explore the darker mysteries of existence. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't like the scent on me at all - but for me, Sahara Noir remains my great love. It’s a fragrance I can easily imagine on men as well. As for women, I can only see it on those with strong personalities - women who command a room the moment they enter. Confident, far from naïve or girlish. Sahara Noir - worthy of a god or goddess, standing proudly on a balcony, listening to the concert being performed in their honor.

My beloved 11 year old bottle of Sahara Noir. This is back when TF made super long lasting, loud, daring fragrances that transported your imagination. This one, takes me to the Sahara desert. Spices roaming through the air next to an exotic flower field of something I’ve never smelled before. This is incense dominated. If you are a fan of incense like me and enjoy the classic Kilian Incense Oud and fragrances alike, you must try or own this gorgeous fragrance. Some highly sought after TF frags that are discontinued go for a hefty price tag, I did blind buy this one and don’t regret it at all, unlike Plum Japonais. Thankfully I turned a profit on PJ, it was nothing compared to good boozy plum frags out now days. Sahara Noir is a straight up masterpiece in the incense genre and I highly recommend!!!

Just blind bought Sahara Noir.. it’s 100% heavy on incense in the opening. There are some florals wanting to peak out. The creativity of wanting to connect this scent to the Saharan Desert is fascinating to me. Amazingly well blended and for a 10 year old bottle, nothing smells sour or bad. If anything it’s macerated beautifully. I also own Amber Absolute, and while I see why people connect them in the same vein, they are different enough to own both. At the end of the day, I love incense, I took a gamble, and I won. If you don’t love incense, do not even think about buying this fragrance. Also, be careful bc there are fakes out there that do not have a heavy incense opening. There are obvious markers to compare a fake to the real. This is the era of Tom Ford I am after in my collection.