Black Orchid by Tom Ford is an Oriental Floral fragrance for women. Black Orchid was launched in 2006. Black Orchid was created by David Apel and Pierre Negrin. Top notes are Truffle, Gardenia, Black Currant, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange and Amalfi Lemon; middle notes are Orchid, Spices, Gardenia, Fruity Notes, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine and Lotus; base notes are Mexican chocolate, Patchouli, Vanille, Incense, Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver and White Musk. Black Orchid was created by perfumers of the fragrance company Givaudan in 2006. It was announced as an oriental chypre. The top notes are French jasmine, black truffle, ylang-ylang, black currant, and effervescent citrus. In the floral-spicy heart, dwells Tom Ford's black orchid, more imaginary than real, and the base combines woodsy notes (patchouli and sandalwood), dark chocolate, incense, amber, vetiver, vanilla, and balsam. Black Orchid is opulent and classically dark; its fragrance is in line with the best creations of the best perfume houses. A luxurious and sensual fragrance with a rich, dark trace of black orchid and spices, it is modern and timeless. It remains to be said that Black Orchid is long lasting and with a widespread aura."This is not about an ordinary orchid, it's about something a little more strange and rare. I wanted the blackest orchid, and those aren't easy to find." The perfume is luxurious and the product range includes Eau de Parfum in 50 ml (at US$90) and 100 ml (at US$135) bottles, and a limited edition of 5,000 15 ml bottles of Parfum at US$600. The distribution is limited.
Blind Buy Score
How safe this is to buy before you smell it.
2.9
/ 5
Smell Before You BuyWell supported
Black Orchid EDP blends truffle, ylang‑ylang, patchouli, incense and vetiver as dominant accords, triggering a combination risk that magnifies in Indian heat. Reddit shows strong love but many complaints of heaviness, skin‑sweat and summer unsuitability. Longevity is good, but projection is too strong for blind‑buy across India.
For Indian weather
How this scent changes the score when you wear it here.
Can feel heavier in Indian heat
Often gets compliments
Smells strong — use fewer sprays in the heat
12Community voices heard
Holds up
Long‑lasting EDP (9+ h) even in moderate heat
Strong compliment magnet when applied sparingly (1‑2 sprays) in AC environments
Iconic, luxurious dark floral‑spicy character that stands out
Watch-outs
Dominant truffle, ylang‑ylang, patchouli, incense and vetiver create a combination risk that amplifies badly in Indian heat and humidity
Heavy projection becomes overpowering in close quarters, especially outdoors in summer
Several users report the scent turning sweaty or “rotten” on skin after a few hours
Not recommended as a blind gift
Heavy, polarizing oriental with strong projection; many find it overwhelming in Indian heat, so it is not safe to gift without knowing the recipient's taste.
Performance
How it actually wears
Community-sourced scores on a 0-10 scale, plus the character spectrum.
9.2
Longevity
~9 hrs
3.0
Compliment factor
Polarizing
7.2
Sillage
CharacterLeans feminine
FeminineUnisexMasculine
When to wear it
Seasons & occasions
Top picks shown first. Expand for the full vote breakdown.
Best seasons
WinterBest match
AutumnAlso great
SpringWorks well
SummerLight option
Best occasions
GymBest match
DateAlso great
Time of day
Mostly evening
Community verdict
Polarizing: here's the honest split
Community-voted pros and cons from our fragrance catalog. We surface the cons, not just the praise.
Who might not like it
Polaring heaviness not suitable for everyone
Highly abstract and dark scent profile
Better suited for nighttime or cold weather
Unconventional notes can be off-putting to some
Strong projection may be overwhelming in small spaces
Earthy truffle note can smell like damp earth
What people love
Mysterious and alluring
Perfectly unisex and adaptable to chemistry
Widely regarded as a modern masterpiece
Sensual fragrance
Bold choice for confident individual personalities
Evokes a dark supernatural gothic aesthetic
Talk about this in the community
Start a thread with Black Orchid linked. Others can reply, review, and compare notes.
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