Our take
What does Coco Noir smell like?
Jacques Polge created Coco Noir for Chanel in 2012, and the black bottle sets expectations. The opening is brighter than you would guess, though. Grapefruit and bergamot give a bitter flash that lasts a few minutes. Then May rose takes over, backed by jasmine and a rose geranium leaf that adds a green, peppery edge. Narcissus slips in a faint animal shadow. The base is where the perfume shows its real colour. Indonesian patchouli and Venezuelan tonka build something dense, softened by vanilla and sandalwood, while a thread of incense runs underneath to keep it dry. Anyone who knows Coco Mademoiselle will recognise the family patchouli, here deeper and without the sparkle. On skin it stays round and dark for hours.
When to wear it
Made for winter nights and dinners where you want to be noticed. Two sprays is plenty: one at the nape, one on the wrist.
It belongs to the Floral, Oriental / Amber family. Coco Noir is one of 48 creations by Chanel in our encyclopedia.
