Sometimes when I wear Histoires de Parfum Noir Patchouli I get frustrated because it doesn’t seem “noir” or “patchouli”. In the cool weather, it wears as this animalic, deep chypre. If it were a color, it wouldn’t be “noir” – more like a deep moss green. But, when I wear Noir Patchouli in warmer weather, it is this camphoric patchouli that could possibly be “noir”. This is one of those perfumes that changes with the seasons (making it a difficult one to review).
Noir Patchouli opens with a camphoric Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 type patchouli, a patchouli rounded by dark cocoa. moss is what I notice the most from Noir Patchouli. It’s a mossy leather lifted by cool spices. And then I lose my ability to pull these things out. Noir Patchouli reminds me of patchouli and the type of vinyl not used to upholstery cars anymore (honestly, I think this is jasmine reacting to the heavy amount of leather). It wears as a dark mossy floral with a heavy dose of patchouli and dry vetiver. The dry-down is a dry mossy leather with musk and an unexpected balsamic vanilla. Overall it’s an animalic chypre with an old-fashioned 1940’s feel (well, or at least how the 1970’s perceived the 1940’s).
Oh, yeah, and if you look up online reviews, you will see the phrase “old lady” to describe this perfume. Oh, poor, poor misunderstood chypres…
Notes listed include patchouli, coriander, cardamom, floral bouquet, juniper berries, musk, vetiver, moss, leather and vanilla. PERFUMER – Gérald Ghislain
Give Noir Patchouli a try if you like patchouli or leather chypres or if you like Serge Lutens Borneo 1834, Knize 10, Estee Lauder Youth Dew, Tommi Sooni Tarantella, Clinique Aromatics Elixir, and/or Piguet Bandit. This fragrance is unisex and one for those that love old-school chypres.
Projection and longevity are above average.
Noir Patchouli comes in two sizes with prices ranging from $125-$205 at Beautyhabit. A travel size is also available for $36.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Patchouli heavy animalic chypre. Old-school chypre lovers will want to give this one a try.
Want more reviews? Try…
Katie Puckrik Smells – Review of the entire line
From Top to Bottom – Perfume Patter
I love this one (or atleast like it very very much!)..To me (and on me) it is a (sometimes camphorous) rose and patchouli perfume..Sometimes wine-y too. Now I must try the others like this on your list, especially Bandit and the SL. Is the current version of Bandit good?
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I love those that are complex like this. I know this is one that I’ll revisit a year from now and pick up something “new” in it.
OK, people get all upset with these Piguets and Carons but I think the current version of Bandit is good. Who else is making stuff like that? Yeah, it’s not as great as vintage but it’s easier to get and it has so much personality.I think since you very very much like NP, you should at least try Bandit.
I highly recommend the SL. It’s my favorite patchouli. It’s so Belle Epoque glamorous.
[…] Santa Subita a try if you like mossy scents. Or if you like perfumes like Histoires de Parfums Patchouli Noir, Clinique Aromatics Elixir, Sonoma Scent Studio Incense Pure and/or Serge Lutens Borneo 1834. Santa […]