Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
The new Armani Privé Cuir Noir, a fragrance from La Collection des Mille et une Nuits is starting to appear in stores (recently spotted at Harrods.) Cuir Noir was created by perfumer Nathalie Lorson and includes notes of Bulgarian rose, nutmeg, coriander, guaiac wood, leather, oud, Australian sandalwood, ambergris accord, benzoin.
My overall impression–and it can apply to the whole collection–nicely done, but not mind-blowing enough to warranty the price of 180 British pounds. Cuir Noir starts out as a big sweet amber and leather in the style of Tom Ford Amber Absolute or Annick Goutal Ambre Fétiche. There is a distinctive rose note that lingers from top to drydown. The medicinal, smoky oud is such a rich accent that it makes the leather play a second fiddle. Fans of oriental blends will enjoy Cuir Noir, but if you are looking for a smoky rich leather, it will not satisfy the craving.
6 Comments
[email protected]: It also didn’t last! (at least on me). Saw it the other day and thought – yum – and applied to skin straightaway but although I enjoyed it it certainly wasn’t as “cuir” or noir” as I was hoping.
Nicola January 23, 2012 at 7:27am
andrea: I tried it and did like it but not enough to warrant the big bucks price tag, I would buy others over this one. It did have reasonable staying power but to me it was a pretty feminine floral, there was nothing about it that warranted the noir in the title. January 23, 2012 at 9:20am
Victoria: It lasts ok on me, but it is definitely not as noir as it is advertised. And I agree with you, the leather made a cameo appearance at most. January 23, 2012 at 11:08am
Victoria: Noir leads me to expect a bold, rich perfume, but this one was somehow too tame. January 23, 2012 at 11:10am
Scenterelle: It smells very good, but the price is a bit high for me! May 30, 2012 at 10:27pm
Elie: i went to buy it and it cost $295 $300 is that possible … September 22, 2012 at 7:09am