Black Orchid

Black Orchid, released by Tom Ford in 2006 and composed by Pierre Negrin and David Apel, is a dark, warmly spiced fragrance with a heavy, sweet floral core. Nearly everyone describes it as warm and spicy, most as woody and sweet, and more than half pick out amber, floral and powdery sides as well.

It opens with a flash of citrus and blackcurrant, but truffle appears almost at once and gives the scent its earthy, almost edible darkness. The heart is a dense bouquet of orchid, gardenia and jasmine, creamy and lush rather than fresh. The base is long and rich: chocolate and vanilla for sweetness, incense for a smoky curl, over a woody, earthy bed.

People report it as very long lasting, and a good share say it never seems to fade, with strong to enormous projection, so one or two sprays are enough. It is voted overwhelmingly for night and for winter and autumn; few wear it by day. It suits evening occasions and anyone who likes an unapologetically bold, dark scent.

Black Orchid — unisex fragrance by Tom Ford (released 2006). Top notes: Truffle, Gardenia, Black Currant, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Amalfi Lemon. Heart notes: Orchid, Spices, Gardenia, Fruity Notes, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Lotus. Base notes: Mexican chocolate, Patchouli, Vanille, Incense, Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver, White Musk. — Parfica open fragrance database