Noir Patchouli
Histoires de Parfums

Noir Patchouli could be considered a refined distillation of the "head shop" patchouli that filled the ether in the age of Ram Dass and Timothy Leary through to the 70s in the flower children coming-of-age classics such as Aromatics Elixir and Givenchy Gentleman. It is further filtered through a 21st century lens so that any so-called "impurities" and dregs are sifted through and the soapy lather of cleanliness reigns. Henceforth, it became the modern hippie patchouli, but not of the lineage that would come from the choco-amber density of 1970's Reminiscence Patchouli, which would have several progeny to the current day.

Juniper tones, a sparkly coriander, and a light lift overall, makes this for me personally a delightful summer wear. While it does have the tenacity that is expected from the famous fixative quality of patchouli, it radiates in the summer heat without a forceful swagger. For one who would want to strike a balance between clean and dirty, this is certainly a happy medium. It is neither brooding nor ditzy, a complement for the day, giving an occasional nod as if saying, "I'm here with you, your scented companion, if ever you need me." It makes me want to listen to Todd Rundgren and thumb through "Be Here Now." It reminds me that I should get back into the routine of stretching and yoga, and makes me fondly recall college days of attending "poetry slams" and sipping espresso.

An enclosed dark interior, where several voices can be heard : Noir Patchouli includes multiple things like leather, aromatics, fruity-oily coriander, moss and dusty florals, as well as the (musty) patchouli that it’s named for.

As people have pointed out, there's more than one Bernard Chant composition in this, which is why it's like a chorus line and not a solo part.

Luca Turin complained about vetivers being overloaded with irrelevant stuff that stops the beauty of the root shining through.
A similar thing may be true of patchouli; maybe all it needs is good leaf managed with a light touch (when it’s not being lion-tamed by an Angel…)

A very refined take on the Bernard Chant canon of patchouli classics from Aramis 900 to Aromatics Elixir, retrofitted for modern tastes with a soft leather bag accent, every inch of its lining thickly dusted with green floral cosmetic powders. But the earthy, almost metallic bitterness comes from the tree moss rather than from the patchouli, so while it is dark, it is also fresher and livelier (mintier) than expected. I liked it, but liking is not a strong enough emotion for me to keep anything. And once I’d spotted the familial Aromatics Elixir DNA, it was time for it to go.

Another company omitting that what they're selling you is an oud. Getting so tired of that. LM Parfums Ambre Muscadin is another one doing this.

If it's in there then just advertise it? What do you think all Westerners are suddenly not gonna notice and start loving ouds if you just don't tell them about it and keep it your little secret? They'll just dislike you even more for it.

Okay, objectively: flowers and berries, forget about it. Cardamom and coriander absent as well. Apart from maybe some coranol.

It's oud, white musk, mahogany, a completely muted/morphed patchouli (due to the oud) and a USELESS amount of vanilla/amber... It's not sweetening or complementing the whole whatsoever. It just remains a bitter mess. Smells like some kind of thick oud paint. Thinner vibe included.

Dark. Intense. Spiced, earthy, musky patchouli. Very rich. It's patchouli on steroids. I don't really smell any flower notes in the heart. I pick up tiny, hidden sweet notes here and there. I get an intense earth, or old, rotting tree trunk vibe on the skin upon deep inhalation. This, is a dead-of-winter fragrance.

It doesn't really sweeten much as it progresses. Perhaps later it will...

As time goes on I get an old leather accord, like an antique saddle. I get a little burnt vanilla. Patchouli of course, rambles on and on with a random smokiness at times. Good stuff!

Boy In Green Coat by Egon Schiele
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Dae-su Oh ( Min-sik Choi ) in ( Oldboy ) by Chan-wook Park 2003