Duran Duran Black Moonlight

If you're a fan of Monkey Special, you'll absolutely adore this fragrance. It begins with a crisp, fresh citrus that takes center stage, gently mingling with a floral note that quietly lingers in the background. The sharp citrus fades away fairly quickly, allowing the floral aspect to balance out with the citrus. It's not an overwhelming floral, so if that's not your preference, you’ll still enjoy it. The floral note is definitely lavender-forward, but it's subtle and not overpowering—just the way I like it, especially since I'm not a fan of strong lavender. As it dries down, the fragrance starts to resemble Monkey Special in a lighter way. The patchouli adds a nice earthy depth, while the tonka bean becomes more prominent, with the landamum rounding out the composition perfectly. I bought this on a whim since it’s a brand new release with no reviews yet. Monkey Special is one of my all-time favorite fragrances, and this one offers a fresh take on it. While they share quite a few similarities, they’re different enough that it’s not a redundant purchase. The opening and middle stages are quite distinct from Monkey Special, so layering the two would definitely create something unique. Overall, if you enjoy this kind of fragrance profile, this is a very safe blind buy.

At first, this reminded me of Molinard Habanita. With more time on skin and a direct comparison, that initial association fades quickly. Black Moonlight reveals a completely different character. What defines this fragrance for me is the interaction between myrrh and tonka. Together, they create a powerful nutmeg-like impression. I don’t know whether nutmeg is actually present in the formula, but that is unmistakably what my nose perceives. In my collection, this is the most nutmeg-forward scent I own. That warm, spiced core dominates the composition, supported by gentle powdery floral touches that soften the structure without pulling focus away from it. There is a clear sense of originality here. The sweetness is restrained and intentional, never indulgent. After the first ten minutes, a delicate sensuality begins to surface. The scent stays dark in tone, yet it feels polished, intimate, and quietly magnetic. Black Moonlight is deeply sensual and alluring. It reads as fully unisex to me, with a slight softness that may lean feminine, though it remains entirely wearable and convincing on a man. A beautiful creation, executed with confidence and precision.

I bought it blind and never expected it to be this good. It opens with a freshness from citrus and a wonderful saffron, while cardamom softens the sharpness and harshness of the saffron in the top notes. In the middle notes, jasmine and ylang-ylang shift the perfume from masculine to unisex, while myrrh and lavender prevent it from becoming too feminine. The top notes are still very clearly noticeable. As for the base notes, I have nothing to say; they are all very clearly present, resulting in a fantastic perfume. Overall, the longevity and sillage are amazing. In general, the perfume is balsamic, moderately sweet and spicy. When I say spicy, please don't think of anything like Spicebomb. If you love amber and myrrh like me, this is definitely a perfume you shouldn't miss. If you liked Xerjoff Deca, you'll most likely like this one too. It's one of the best Xerjoffs I've ever bought.

Finally got my nose on it and it smells like how I originally wanted and imagined 1888. Over time, 1888 became too loud for me especially the ylang-ylang. Black Moonlight takes the same idea and refines it into something calmer and more controlled. The opening feels dark, cold and inky, with notes hard to separate at first more of a black, abstract impression than a clear structure. May be the name its name dictates the image. There is a subtle hint of cigarette smoke, similar to Neo Rio, Royal Tobacco, but here it stays very muted and never dominates. After a few hours, cardamom and saffron slowly appear, adding warmth without sharpness. Jasmine is present in a very reduced, reminds me white floras from Al-Khat. The drydown is soft, powdery and elegant. Overall, Black Moonlight is a restrained, sophisticated fragrance that never shouts and reveals its complexity quietly over time.

Duranie reporting for duty. I wanted to try one of the Xerjoff collabs with Duran Duran, and decided on this one. I chose wisely! Phenomenal. My Xerjoff Top 5 list is complete now. This one’s right up there with Naxos, Ivory Route, Pikovaya Dama, and Torino 21. It’s supremely powdery on me. Powdery in the best way. The quintessential powdery perfume for cold weather comfort. Powder for the powder haters. Unique, CREAMY powder. Very reminiscent of a tin of cream deodorant I loved the scent of as a teen. Black Moonlight is expertly blended powder, leather, and smoke - an extraordinarily gorgeous trio here. I smell Mitsouko in there! Sensuous, complex, aromatic, resinous, and ambery. Fruits and florals give a little lift. Robust, enveloping, and long lasting on me. It is so exquisite and special. I want a bottle really badly. MASTERPIECE

I finally got my hands on my bottle and I am totally happy about it! I hoped for a powdery, slightly sweet, a bit leathery, just a touch floral and incense-y, but still dark at the same time and I got what I expected. I am not necessarily a Duran Duran fan and I prefer other artists from the 80s, so I am incapable of associating this gorgeous scent with the band. It's rather giving witchy, Black Metal and gothic vibes, especially due to the incense accord, which is done to perfection. If I could think of any potential artists to associate this perfume with, these artists would be: Lacrimosa, any Norwegian Black Metal band, Sisters of Mercy, Moonspell. Change my mind. Overall, 9.75/10 from all points of view: longevity (all day), sillage (more than a meter away from me), presentation and, above everything, the flavour itself.

“ Hold tight We're going out tonight Under the black moonlight Move to it out of sight Into the black moonlight” - Black Moonlight - Duran Duran I find this scent delightful and captivating. Its charm is striking, and as Xerjoff teaches, it exudes incredible elegance. I'm unsure whether it's the creamy and soft lavender note that brings me comfort or the opulent and enveloping nuances of myrrh that enhance my experience, but this composition feels extraordinarily sensual. It evokes the image of a dance beneath the pale moonlight, wrapped in an aura of mystery, as we walk barefoot and enjoy the warmth of the veiled night. I've added it to my Wishlist. "Figures at Night" by Joan Miró.

I got a 5 ml decant of this for my boyfriend for Xmas and it smells amazing on him. I think it leans slightly masculine but a woman could definitely wear it too. As a matter of fact, I just got a 3 ml vial of it for myself and it smells just as good on me. I'm really hoping to own a full bottle someday. Its opening is a bit sharp but it mellows out fairly quickly. It's a beautiful, sexy, spicy scent perfect for anyone who loves mysterious, gothic fragrances. I agree with the comment down below that this is what I wish Tom Ford's Fucking Fabulous smelled like. 😁 Edit: Just snagged a tester off of eBay for $200! Worth every penny! 🖤

Unbelievable, unique scent. It’s attractive, it’s sexy and beautiful. Just based on the notes, this didn’t sound like my kind of fragrance, but, wow, am I pleasantly surprised. It’s difficult to put into words how the energy that comes off of this fragrance. I have over 200 bottles in my collection and I can’t think of a a single one that smells like this. The patchouli is a little strong, but it is so balanced with the jasmine and florals that it combines to the most amazing scent. It’s now the end of March and this is not really a summer scent, but it will be my go to in the fall.

This ia ambery, resinous, and sweet in a nutshell. Not too sweet. Great! Beautiful bottle. Expensive price point for 50ml. However, I want it. Lasted over 8 hours. Will get you through the day. Great projection for the first two hours. So enjoyable. Another fantastic one from the brand. Awesome from start to finish. The only other fragrance that comes to mind with this is Black Gemstone. They are not the same. But, I get the same emotional connection. Shame that I don't have either in my collection. Yet!

I got this in my Xerjoff sample pack along with the Lamborghini collab samples, and wow. I only chose this cause I'm a big fan of Duran Duran and wanted to see what this would smell like. Well, I didn't expect this, but I am not mad at it at all. It's a dark scent, which is kind of a contrast to most of their songs. It has this incense like smell, almost church like. Very beautiful though.

This perfume is different. It does open up and become sweet but no where near a Naxos way. It has a coldness to it, and the name is very fitting. I find it very unisex, and can imagine a girl wearing this. Noting this perfume comes across slightly sensual to me. It really does smell gothic if gothic had a smell. Definitely not for summer but good for a night out in other seasons.

This fragrance is, without question, a perfect ten out of ten. People are sleeping on it and it is yet to be discovered. Resinous, mysterious and smoky, but also sensual, warm, and a little sweet. This is the best new fragrance of 2025. I own over 30 Xerjoff Fragrances and this would be in the top 5 alongside Alexandria II, Naxos, Richwood, and Torino 21.

Beautiful, warm unisex fragrance and very adaptable to differing environments and occasions. This lasted across my whole work day and was subtly assertive without the scent extravagance that some other known Xerjoff's have. My wife and I both wear this and it is equally beautiful on both of us.. the scent journey on this is smacking 👌

Excellent juice. Does remind me quite a bit of Tony Iommi Deified, which is great in its own right. Interestingly enough, I don't pick up on much outlined in the scent pyramid. Instead I get more of a rose + oud combo with some vanilla underneath it all that doesn't come to the fore until the next day.

To many haters in here, now let me tell you the facts and the truth is that THIS FRAGRANCE WILL GET YOU MORE COMPLIMENTS THAN MONKEY SPECIAL and I personally think it's 1000 times better. I did a VS between monkey special and Duran Duran Black Moonlight, 20+ women preferred Duran Duran Black Moonlight.

Luxurious makeup / baby powder smell. Its very smooth smelling and cozy. It make people want to come close to smell. Very hard to despcribe this as a spicy scent but to me its more powdery. Its highquality and alluring. Comes to my head the word "Glam" for this. Unique. I will one it one day.

This could be a stand alone release from Xerjoff. Easily (for me anyway) the best release of 2025 , went straight in my top5. This has one of the best saffron notes combined with that sweetish hazelnut , amber base. Very warm and comforting and a bit dark. Love it this release by Xerjoff.

Really really good but too similar to Moresque Soul Batik to justify the price albeit Black Moonlight is a bit fruitier and floral. They are almost identical and Soul Batik is cheaper. Take my word for it! Not to mention this definitely has similarities to Fragrance Du Bois Cavort.

Exceptionally well blended fragrance which possesses a sombre majesty. Duran's 'To the Shore' in bottled form; a narcotic devil's phyltre which flits across the invisible boundary of light between light and dark. An absolute triumph.