Our take
What does Noir smell like?
Tom Ford released Noir in 2012 as a men's counterpart to Violet Blonde. The house does not name the perfumer. Violet is the first surprise. It comes mixed with pink pepper and bergamot, plus a hint of caraway that gives the opening an almost savory edge. Verbena brightens things for a few minutes. In the heart, iris and rose lay down a powdery texture. Black pepper and nutmeg keep it from smelling like lipstick, while clary sage and geranium add a barbershop note. The base is where this perfume really lives. Vanilla, amber and patchouli get roughed up by leather and a quiet civet. Styrax holds the whole thing together. On skin it smells like warmth under a shirt collar. Next to Dior Homme, another iris-led masculine, Noir is darker and carries far more vanilla.
When to wear it
An evening scent for autumn and winter, best over a dark shirt or a wool sweater. Two sprays are plenty because the vanilla base grows after the first hour.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Spicy family. Noir is one of 33 creations by Tom Ford in our encyclopedia.
