Our take
What does Uomo Noir Absolu smell like?
Valentino released Uomo Noir Absolu in 2017 alongside its feminine twin, Donna Noir Absolu. Pierpaolo Piccioli was running the house at the time. Sophie Labbé of IFF is credited with the formula. The bottle keeps the Uomo silhouette, dressed in opaque black. It opens dry and spicy. Black pepper and cinnamon snap without the usual sweetness of the line. Incense rises next. It is smoky and resinous, like a cold church in winter. Sandalwood arrives in the base and rounds everything off with a creamy texture. The note list is short, yet the perfume feels dense. Valentino Uomo from 2014 had coffee and gianduja, and Noir Absolu trades that dessert for smoke. It was relaunched in 2021 in a new bottle. That makes sense for the only truly serious member of the line.
When to wear it
An evening scent for winter, on a dark shirt or a coat collar. Two sprays are enough, the incense lasts.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Spicy family. Uomo Noir Absolu is one of 12 creations by Valentino in our encyclopedia.
