WHAT I SMELL:  Black opens with a sweet and deep incense and smoky accord.  I want to say there’s some bergamot and what seems to be a bit of floraled honey mixed with the smokiness.  That initial smokiness breaks away somewhat to reveal this almost butter like creamy light almond.  But as soon as I notice that, the incense starts to waft up from the bottom again, this time with what seems to be a bit of sueded leather.  There’s a bit of sour that makes an appearance that doesn’t detract, but like the smoke and incense, seems to pop in and out.  After around 15 minutes it seems like there is a bit of peppered metallic that makes an appearance.  Again, it comes and goes like all of the other notes which seem to intermix seamlessly without one note dominating.  In the end you’re left with a very light, close to the skin, smooth and elegant slightly woody incensed perfume.

From the Puredistance Black release materials:

A MYSTERIOUS AND CHARMING FRAGRANCE THAT STAYS CLOSE TO THE WEARER  AND WHISPERS STYLE & ELEGANCE

Puredistance Black is an understated elegant and mysteriously charming perfume inspired by the concept of BLACK; a concept that for centuries has been associated  with secrets, mystery and style.

Puredistance BLACK is created in Paris by the famous French Perfumer Antoine Lie  based on a concept of Puredistance founder Jan Ewoud Vos. The essence of  the concept was to create a perfume that is close to the wearer and releases sensual and elegant scent layers in a whispering way – without shouting.  A mysterious fragrance that stays in the shadow, giving away – only every now  and then – part of its delicate nature.

Antoine loved the concept and created a sophisticated perfume full of charm with the same elegant personality as the timeless classic Puredistance I, but then more masculine and oriental.

And as a consequence of the concept of BLACK (that treasures the beauty of the unknown) we will not reveal the ingredients of Puredistance BLACK…. Envision, Smell, Feel. Don’t analyse.

 

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A man of many secrets.  What I mean is that there is a mysteriousness that surrounds Black.  It’s very subtle and holds very close to the skin.  It leans masculine and it doesn’t reveal itself until you are close at hand…you might catch a whiff of the fragrance from a slight distance, but you wonder where this deep and dark fragrance originates from.  Then you realize, It originates from the man of many secrets.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BLACK:  quality, enigmatic, smooth

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BLACK:  BL’eauOG, Perfume Shrine

BOTTOM LINE:  Once again Puredistance has created a fragrance that is of the utmost quality and elegance.  The one thing about Black that I was not expecting though is how subtle it is and how much it wears close to the skin especially for a parfum concentration.  But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because Puredistance is not the house that creates perfumes that shout…”look at me,” and that’s a good thing!

• Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
• Nose:   Antoine Lie
• Classification:  Leans masculine
• Expense:  Black is a pure perfume (25% perfume oil) and will be available in November 2013. The EU retail price will be 165 euro for 17.5 ml, 275 euro for 60 ml. and 490 euro for the 100 ml. flacon.

Disclosure:  Product for review provided courtesy of Puredistance.