WHAT I SMELL: Black No. 1 opens with a boot strap leather with hints of green cedar and fir. The leather feels strong, thick and stiff, like the boot leather that would be worn by a lineman needed for protection from the rugged elements. After a short time, a petroleum sheen rises above the leather which is rather metallic and sharp. But soon enough, that metallic edge disappears and once again the perfume becomes full on leather. After 30 minutes or so, the perfume moves from the strong leather, to a softer and lusher wooded and slightly sugared leather. At this point, the perfume is very comforting and it feels at ease. The best of Black No. 1 is reserved for the drydown. In the end, the leather is soft and rather green, slightly sweetened lightly creamy and it hugs the skin…which means you’ll have to get close up to really feel it’s magic.
From the House of Matriarch website:
Recently named “SEXIEST SCENT” at the International Artisan Fragrance Awards, TOP MEN’S FRAGRANCE by Men’s Journal Magazine and BEST OF THE WEST by Sunset Magazine. This worldly and penetrating perfume contains hundreds of exotic natural essences. An unforgettable, brooding, complex, swirling kaleidoscope of a perfume which, given its notes and general dark aesthetic, is surprisingly warm and encompassing. This fragrance captivates the wearer to a deep and enchanting mystique.
Black No. 1 notes:
Top: Northwest conifers, Puget Sound seaweed, white sage
Middle: oud, cannabis, amber
Base: black leather, ambergris, hyraceum
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The Wichita Lineman…very masculine, solitary and graceful in his strength.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE BLACK NO. 1: secure, confident, understated
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BLACK NO. 1: Perfume do Dio, Fragrance Daily
BOTTOM LINE: Formerly branded as Blackbird, Black No. 1 really is a sexy scent in that it’s masculine without being over the top full on beast. Instead, it has a quiet strength that would fit any wearing scenario. I’m not a huge fan of leather perfumes, but I think I finally found one that could break my thinking on that front.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Leather
- Nose: Christi Meshell
- Classification: Masculine, but could easily be worn by a woman
- Expense: $330 for 50 ml. Available exclusively at Nordstrom or via the House of Matriarch website.
Sample courtesy of House of Matriarch. Opinion my own.
The Scented Hound 
February 22, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Strong leather and fir, this one is definitely not for me, but it sounds well made and interesting. Does this house have any nice orientals or florals that I might be interested in? Not that I need any more perfume. I got raked over the coals this weekend by a friend of husband’s for being so consumerist and materialistic. Sigh! I just love perfume!
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February 22, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Ricky, H of M has a tuberose perfume that’s called Forbidden (I love the name), but can’t speak to the perfume itself as I have not tried it. But the name… I can only imagine 🙂
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February 22, 2016 at 5:29 pm
That sounds nice! I tried the Eric Buterbaugh florals you reviewed earlier in the year and I love them. Especially the tuberose one, it’s divine.
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February 22, 2016 at 5:30 pm
I love that tuberose too…just a little sweet, and not too strong. Hey, I think I’ll go put some on now 🙂
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February 23, 2016 at 9:46 pm
I just recently got a few samples from this house as well – though not Black No. 1. They are definitely very different than anything else I’ve tried. And certainly more evocative of places than any one ‘thing,’ at least in the couple I’ve tried so far. While the scents are pretty much the opposite of the type of scent I usually go for, I do find them intriguing and evocative. Of course I’m sure it helps that much of their inspiration comes from Washington and the Pacific Northwest – which I miss dearly. 🙂 Is it terrible to be swayed by all things Seattle?!?
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February 24, 2016 at 5:28 am
Sun Mi…for being an all natural perfume house, the perfumes don’t feel to earthy and natural. To me that’s a good thing since many all naturals tend to make me feel like I am wearing a garden and tend to be unfinished to me. As for the NW…my hub is originally from Seattle too (small world) and he loved Madrona because it reminded him of home.
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February 24, 2016 at 12:45 pm
That’s interesting that you don’t think they’re earthy, because I got the impression that the 2 I’d tried (orca and coco blanc) are very earthy – but definitely not in a garden kind of way. I guess i’m not sure how to describe why I think they’re earthy – they don’t smell of dirt I guess – I guess I just think the smell deep and … of the earth? haha, I don’t know what the hell I’m saying. I don’t have a sample of Madrona, but I do have fond memories of those beautiful trees.
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February 26, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Sun Mi, have you tried the Thorn & Bloom line at all? Now they feel natural and very earthy…very herbal. I’m not getting that from this line.
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