Warm Black

The Verdict

This fragrance is geared towards someone seeking a bold, sweet tobacco scent without complexity. The wearer is possibly a student, or someone whose lifestyle emphasizes simplicity and a preference for uncomplicated sweet notes. This is suited for casual daytime wear, if applied sparingly.

Olfactory Experience

Warm Black initiates with a forceful tobacco leaf accord, but deviates swiftly from naturalistic tobacco. It trends toward a cloying, syrupy sweetness, resembling cherry cough syrup more than fresh cut tobacco. The spice element is present but muted, lacking definition. The heart is where the composition attempts to emulate its inspiration, layering tonka bean and vanilla over the persistent tobacco. However, the vanilla registers as artificial, akin to the overly sweet vanilla extract used in low-quality baking. The drydown presents a muddled arrangement of dried fruits and nondescript woody notes. The promised depth never materializes, instead yielding a plasticky, almost chemical fade. It lacks the nuanced evolution of a higher quality fragrance and presents a somewhat linear and simple structure.

How Long Does it Last?

Longevity on skin is moderate, approximately 5-6 hours. Projection is initially strong, extending about an arm's length for the first hour, then receding to a skin scent. I tested this in a controlled indoor environment (72°F, low humidity) and also outdoors during a cool autumn evening. The projection suffered in the open air, becoming nearly undetectable after 90 minutes.