Phantom Noir

Bottom Line

Is it a perfect replica? No. But Phantom Noir offers a very satisfying experience. If you love the idea of Black Phantom but balk at the cost, this is a worthy substitute. It captures the essence of the fragrance and performs reasonably well. But for the budget-conscious fragrance enthusiast, Phantom Noir is a smart buy. It's a good way to enjoy the dark, gourmand DNA without breaking the bank.

Olfactory Experience

Phantom Noir aims squarely at Kilian's Black Phantom, and it's a decent attempt. The boozy rum and almond opening is there, though a touch more synthetic. It leans a bit sharper than the smoother, richer original. The coffee note emerges pretty quickly, paired with a slightly bitter, medicinal quality – the "cyanide" accord. It's interesting but not as seamlessly blended as Black Phantom. The drydown is vanilla-heavy with some woody support. I get sandalwood more than vetiver. Overall, I’d peg it around 95% similar. The missing 95%? The luxurious smoothness and depth of the original.

Performance Reality Check

Longevity is surprisingly good. I get a solid 6-7 hours. Projection, however, is moderate at best. It projects nicely for the first hour or so, then settles closer to the skin. It's a good choice if you don't want to fill a room.