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Black Orchid by Tom Ford

Women 2006

Brand
Tom Ford
Perfumer
David Apel
Perfumer
Pierre Negrin

Description

Black Orchid by Tom Ford is an oriental floral fragrance for women. Launched in 2006, this composition was created by David Apel and Pierre Negrin. The top notes reveal truffle, gardenia, blackcurrant, ylang-ylang, jasmine, bergamot, mandarin, and Amalfi lemon. The heart of the fragrance unfolds orchid, spices, gardenia, fruity notes, ylang-ylang, jasmine, and lotus flower. The base notes complete the…

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Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 45%
  • Spring 11%
  • Summer 6.5%
  • Autumn 37%
  • Day 23%
  • Night 77%

Key notes

Community

31,134 votes

  • Positive 72%
  • Negative 22%
  • Neutral 6.0%
positive reviews 31 k community votes
LongevityLong-lasting SillageStrong Best momentNight CharacterUnisex

The olfactory pyramid

A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.

The community speaks

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

In the collection

Leading answer I own it

76,464 votes

Season

Choose several

Leading answer Winter

26,649 votes

Time of day

Choose several

Leading answer Night

15,737 votes

Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.

Fragrance profile

About Black Orchid

Main accord warm-spicy Year 2006 Gender Women Perfumer David Apel · Pierre Negrin

Black Orchid by Tom Ford is an oriental floral fragrance for women. Launched in 2006, this composition was created by David Apel and Pierre Negrin. The top notes reveal truffle, gardenia, blackcurrant, ylang-ylang, jasmine, bergamot, mandarin, and Amalfi lemon. The heart of the fragrance unfolds orchid, spices, gardenia, fruity notes, ylang-ylang, jasmine, and lotus flower. The base notes complete the structure with Mexican chocolate, patchouli, vanilla, incense, amber, sandalwood, vetiver, and white musk.

Musk, amber and animalic White flowers Flowers Spices Fruits, vegetables and nuts Woods and mosses

How it wears

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

Longevity

Leading answer Long-lasting

14,005 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Strong

14,272 votes

Character

Leading answer Balanced

10,618 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Fair price

8,905 votes

Most talked about

Notes and topics that come up most in 40 reviews.

Have you worn Black Orchid?

Tell us how it opens, how it settles on your skin, how long it lasts and when you wear it.

  1. Juasier216

    An interesting fragrance but incredibly potent; it’s not for everyday wear not just because of the scent but because it requires a sense of humour to wear without coming across as overwhelming. You have to respect it; don’t over-spray or it’ll smell like you’ve swallowed it and it’ll penetrate your brain. It’s floral with white flowers chocolate and a truffle note that gives it a special touch; longevity varies depending on the batch. I bought it in a set and noticed the travel size has a stronger truffle note than the full bottle perhaps due to maceration. It’s powerful but the downside is that it’s been copied extensively nowadays; it lacks originality like any big success with clones selling for less than a quarter of the price. If you’re looking for quality you’ll certainly like it but it’s not Tom Ford’s best right now.

    • Longevity
    • Floral
    • Chocolate
    • Truffle

  2. CarloMagno45

    I bought the perfume the sales assistant showed me the bottle and I told her NO that it was for women; she insisted it was unisex. I kept testing it but the scent of Black Orchid was imposing so I asked for a decant. On the way home bursts of that smell reached my nose; it was addictive and I returned just three days later. BO is all about extremes. Dapper lady or dapper man? Yes but a rocker or goth girl could pull it off too. Elegant or opulent? Yes but also rebellious. Can you love it? Yes but you might also hate it. It’s addictive yet you might not be able to stand it. For a business meeting? Yes it feels opulent and elegant; for a club? Yes you’ll stand out and seduce. It’s complex but balanced. Flattering? Yes but it’s strong and can cause rejection. It’s sweet yet citrusy and floral; a woman wears it for its lasting floral trail a man for its citrus notes. It’s dark mysterious and different. Longevity and sillage are notable.

    • Longevity
    • Orchid
    • Floral
    • Sillage

  3. Monty Phyton

    It doesn’t smell like Coco Chanel as I’ve read; perhaps a bit like Coco Noir but… never mind! It transports me to Sleepy Hollow; I imagine Katrina Anne Van Tassel in that Dark Forest like the one in the Wow with four wooden cottages covered in mist and a fireplace lit the innkeeper in his apron and the cemetery just two steps away. It also evokes Dorian Gray. It’s mysterious mystical elegant seductive unisex androgynous with character like Brian Molko addictive with floral haloes not cloying sexual but not dirty like Cryptorchid more like The Holy Mountain by Jodorowsky. You only need to look at the bottle to realise. The Chilean director used the same outfit when marrying Marilyn Manson to Dita Von Teese; she wore a Vivienne Westwood dress and you could smell Boudoir Black Orchid and Quelques Fleurs some Diptyque and lots of absinthe. My bottle is empty; it lasted about a month full because this alchemist’s potion is made to conquer. 🕯️ 10/10.🔥

    • Orchid
    • Floral
    • Sweet

  4. Montevela Parfums

    Just got to know this today and I don’t know why the dry-down reminded me quite a bit of Croxatto Man 🤷🏻.

  5. thesongofhecate

    Look this fragrance could be somewhat matronly to a certain extent however it’s not one of those that gives an old-lady vibe; it’s an elegant woman’s scent that draws attention wherever she goes without trying. To me it’s more feminine than unisex with excellent longevity but I only recommend it for evening wear; I feel it could be versatile for cold or hot weather but I insist on night only. In my opinion the Mexican chocolate patchouli orchid truffle and some woody notes are quite perceptible. If you like oriental scents this is the best option.

    • Longevity
    • Orchid
    • Chocolate
    • Truffle

  6. SULTANZARAGOZA

    Tom Ford – Black Orchid ‘The perfume that changed my life.’ My first review. I met it a few years ago in 2019; it had been in perfumeries for years but I was still inexperienced. I tested Black Orchid alongside Noir Extreme from the same brand and although the latter seemed easier I couldn’t stop smelling my hand with the first one; it had ‘something’. It was different from everything I’d ever smelled. 🪄Much later I discovered it was also my favourite perfumer’s pick and everything made sense. 🌑 Dark. Earthy. Mystical. A blend of black truffle jasmine incense and patchouli that creates a dense hypnotic almost supernatural elegance. 🌙 Ideal for cold nights and special occasions although personally I’ve worn it on all kinds of occasions (note: it looks VERY good in summer). It’s my absolute favourite: a union of art darkness and desire. 🕢 Longevity and projection: Brutal — no need to talk about hours just presence. ⭐ Rating: 10/10 (and if I could an 11).

    • Longevity
    • Orchid
    • Truffle
    • Sillage

  7. Mj281077

    It’s herrrrmous dark gothic sensual; I couldn’t stop smelling my arm when I tested it in the perfumery I was about to buy it despite the price but a friend made me try a clone from an Argentine house; I was left thinking WTF?? Even the same bottle Orchidee noir from the house Yves d’orgeval. I bought it for a tenth of the price; it’s the same and the longevity… 🙏🏻

    • Longevity
    • Price

  8. 17051980n

    And I see nothing of the feminine perfume thing. It’s a masculine scent wearable by a bold one but not feminine.

  9. 17051980n

    I love perfumes. I’m a collector and this one specifically was a gift from my wife. It seems unique as its name suggests black orchid. The black orchid doesn’t exist in itself; it’s an idea a myth… Orchid truffle and chocolate. That’s what it smells like with some changes or reminiscences of something else. It’s exquisite indisputably attention-grabbing. It’s Tom Ford’s signature scent and I have to admit it’s my fetish fragrance. It lasts projects and makes you feel unique; and here I am ridiculously not understanding why but that’s how it is.

    • Longevity
    • Orchid
    • Chocolate
    • Truffle

  10. Scentleasar

    What a strange opening, like a hit of liquorice? Doesn’t matter, the dry-down is top-notch and lasts all day.

    • Longevity

  11. ViolaPadovesi

    A better balance between fresh and warm. Pleasant aroma, well-dosed, with a subtle trail that doesn’t bother. Ideal for day or night wear. Recommended to add to your collection.

    • Night
    • Fresh

  12. yankees686

    Something similar happens with Erba Pura: both have low ratings, but 90% of people who smell them will like them. I love it, but more on skin than in the air. Projection is good, though not as much as the website claims; it lasts about 12 hours. I understand it might not suit everyone, but in the air, I doubt anyone would hate it. It’s an Autumn-Winter scent, so I wouldn’t wear it above 22 degrees, but it’s perfect for daily winter wear with few sprays. I consider it for those over 25, but since it doesn’t smell unpleasant or difficult, younger people can use it too. Rating: 8.0/10.

    • Longevity
    • Sillage
    • Autumn
    • Winter

  13. EstebanEscobarT

    Something unique; those who prefer commercial scents should abstain. The definitive fragrance for dressing in black, totally unisex.

  14. CARLAFORD

    Rose Prick and Black Orchid by Tom Ford are my favourites 😍.

    • Orchid

  15. Auroray

    I have great respect for this fragrance; I recognise it as a classic, but it wasn’t for me. I tested it on blotter and my husband on skin, then I tried Velvet Orchid again. Black Orchid is curious: it claims to have a citrus opening, but I can’t find that brightness; it smells homogeneous, as if all the low notes of every instrument are playing together at once. My husband didn’t like it on his skin, nor did I. Then I tried Velvet Orchid and he said nothing, just as with Black Orchid. With respect, the line smells to me like the altars for Día de los Muertos in Mexico: flowers, fruits, food, incense, chocolate, and wood that create a very characteristic smell after several hours. Due to this association alone, I don’t like wearing it, and beyond that, that scent has always seemed annoying to me. I wanted to find sensuality and a unique side, but it won’t be possible. Always, always, always test before buying. For those who enjoy it, congratulations!

    • Longevity
    • Orchid
    • Chocolate
    • Incense

  16. manulauria

    At first impression, I prefer this to the Parfum. A bit more sober and less cloying. A scent I hadn’t tried before. Very good perfume.

    • Sweet

  17. Akasha_Vanistok

    I love it, I adore it, it’s addictive. What I like most are the very noticeable truffles, but I’m surprised they say it has great projection. No one has praised me or asked what I’m wearing, as happens with Angel or Alien by Mugler. On my skin, I feel it very close to the skin upon application, with no projection, despite applying it generously and reapplying. It still fascinates me because I can’t find anything similar with good longevity and projection, but I’m intrigued to know why others perceive it as so potent and long-lasting.

    • Longevity
    • Truffle
    • Sillage

  18. Benjamincho89

    It’s a fragrance you definitely can’t buy blindly, even if you read wonders about it here and elsewhere. I briefly tested it with a decant from my wife; I admit its longevity, projection, and trail are very good, but I can’t distinguish the standout note (perhaps the truffle) and that’s the part that hasn’t quite pleased or convinced me. In conclusion: buy a decant or test it in the perfumerie before purchasing to avoid the feeling of a bad buy.

    • Longevity
    • Truffle
    • Sillage

  19. LucioGavOficial

    Tom Ford Black Orchid is undoubtedly my favourite fragrance. Many rate it as ‘feminine’, but for me, it’s totally unisex. Smelling it for the first time was quite an experience. I walked into the perfumerie, saw it was on discount, and, always wanting a Tom Ford, I decided to try it to see if it would convince me. As soon as I smelled it, I felt the floral notes immediately, and that convinced me to buy it. In summary, I recommend you experience smelling it first and then decide whether to buy it or not. Thanks for reading.

    • Orchid
    • Floral

  20. I bought this as my first Tom Ford, and as a vanilla lover, it caught me by surprise. The opening is a bit overwhelming, but after 15 minutes it settles down and that’s when it truly shines. It’s complex, mysterious, and elegant, very refined. I find it more feminine, and although I haven’t worn it out yet, I’ll be posting soon to share how others have reacted.

    • Vanilla

  21. Daniela Fragance

    Smelling it in the bottle is like stepping into a cemetery filled with flowers and incense, very gothic. But on the skin, it changes completely: it becomes sweet, mystical, floral, and seductive. It reminds me of a young, empowered, upper-class woman who commands presence. It’s not for everyone or every occasion; a single drop is noticeable from metres away and lasts all day.

    • Longevity
    • Floral
    • Sweet
    • Incense

  22. Pinkmine

    Elegant, unique, and special. It is the best oriental floral I have tried, although the floral notes are not what stands out most. It is dark, a blend of mystery, chocolate, and truffle. There are perfumes that dress you, and this is one of them. I love it!

    • Floral
    • Chocolate
    • Truffle

  23. blackyaguar

    Black Orchid is a seductive elixir of mystery. Imagine a night with a silver moon and a deep, voluptuous air. Upon opening, you notice dark and exquisite tones where the truffle and bergamot give way to the black orchid, rich and opulent. Every drop is a passionate whisper that envelops you. The sandalwood and vanilla base add softness, like a secret promise between lovers. It is a bold declaration of love that is not just worn but lived, leaving an unforgettable trail. It is the symbol of an eternal romance where darkness intertwines with light.

    • Orchid
    • Truffle
    • Night
    • Vanilla

  24. Albitabonitamex

    Definitely the best perfume in the world for me; it has been my signature since 2007. It is elegant, empowering, and screams luxury. However, in the reformulation, it lost a little of its original essence.

    • Reformulation

  25. I read wonders about this perfume and, as soon as I had the chance, I tried it. It was a total disappointment; it’s not for everyone. The opening is strong and hits that floral note badly, smelling bitter and drowning out the rest of the notes; it reminds me of an elderly lady. I don’t understand the taste, but I suppose for those who enjoy this, it is well-composed and has personality.

    • Floral

  26. Urkoreel

    It’s among my top 10 perfumes… besides being a bomb, it’s a genuine delight to wear. It’s essential for me.

  27. Yeli parfum

    It’s incredible; you can tell the superior quality and the artistry in the composition; it’s fine perfumery. I bought it for myself for its elegance, but my husband took it and it suits him phenomenally, so now we both enjoy it.

  28. SergioCL83

    I’m from Chile and have been reading Fragrantica for years to find my scents. Today is my first time posting, and I appreciate the advice that has helped me imagine my future purchases. I tried Black Orchid at duty-free and it captivated me. My reaction was: ‘it’s feminine BUT…’. I notice it in three stages: the opening is strong, dark, and invasive due to the citrus but enchanting; the heart, at 30 minutes, the initial hit passes and the woody, earthy notes mixed with the flower emerge, making you feel sensual and luxurious; the dry-down, the flowers shine with patchouli, chocolate, and sandalwood, lasting until the next day. It’s intense, floral, and woody, ideal for dressing elegantly for the evening. It is defined as feminine, but I know many men buy it and I understand why, in fact, I include myself. It’s a gem from TF, unforgettable for not going unnoticed.

    • Longevity
    • Orchid
    • Floral
    • Chocolate

  29. coke_zero

    The opening with earthy and mossy notes doesn’t let me appreciate the fragrance properly, much like with Sisley’s Soir de Lune. But the dry-down is pleasant and lasts an eternity.

    • Longevity
    • Earthy