Before I start this review, I would like to state that my knowledge of the Indian dessert Kulfi is very limited. I never had the pleasure of testing the dessert, so I am not able to do so either
to determine the extent to which the heart note actually resembles the dessert Kulfi.
Anticipating this, I intend to divide my review into the following criteria and end with a small conclusion: Scent (top, heart and base notes), silage, projection, use, bottle, price, comparison
Scent:
Contrary to what one might think, Tom Ford's Noir Extreme is not the overly sweet gourmand you might think he is at first because of his pyramid of scents. Not that misunderstandings or misinterpretations arise here: Noir Extreme is still sweet, but at no time is it able to have an overwhelming effect - the classic problem of overspraying is completely ignored here.
On the contrary! The sweetness remains pleasantly classic in the background and blends harmoniously with the floral and citric components of the heart note, whereby - for my nose in particular - the rose must be emphasized here as being well noticeable.
But even the spice from the top note, which actually disappeared after a few minutes, seems to make it into the heart of the fragrance. But whether this is actually made from the contained, but volatile spices
such as saffron and nutmeg, or from the authoritative Kulfi note, is difficult to determine - but both seem possible.
And while the top note disappears after a few minutes, as already mentioned, the heart note with its mix of sweet, floral and spicy components adheres for approx. 1.5 - 2 hours before it is pleasantly rounded off into a gentle mixture of spicy sandalwood and soft vanilla - sweet indeed, but also very discreetly reserved and with 4 - 5 hours on my skin absolutely sufficient.
Sillage:
In short... the Sillage of Noir Extreme stands out! Not negatively, but also not at all positively to all those, who understand perfumes as aquatic, wooden or otherwise citric-fresh scents and avoid any sweet stuff - even if it's only for the nose.
The rest of the environment should rejoice in joyful anticipation of the familiar, but - thanks to the use of the Kulfi - nevertheless different composition. Noir Extreme is not a fragrance that can - appropriately applied - fill a room, but it seems to be always present, discreetly remaining in the background. Correctly used
there should probably not be anybody who is bothered by this smell.
Projection:
Apart from the top note, which disappears after only a few minutes, Noir Extreme projects its scent moderately.
However, this should not be misunderstood: Noir Extreme is by no means weak on the chest, but seems to follow the plan to lure other people to its place instead of letting them, like some other representatives, run into an olfactory wall at a distance of many meters.
Neither too weakly nor too strongly does Noir Extreme wander skilfully on discreetly meandering paths for most of its life.
Application:
At this point the spirits will probably part company. For my nose, Noir Extreme is a year-round fragrance, and its use should only be coupled with the appropriate number of sprays. As always: The warmer the less spraying, and who has no problem to attract attention simply ignores this advice. Also in the office this scent can be worn well because of its discreet sweetness and the beginning skin-near perception
Flacon:
The shape of the bottle is rather classically square. The corners are pleasantly rounded, the initials of Tom Ford are both discreetly represented on the dark sides and prominently on the lid, and the contents can be easily removed, especially when held against the light. Also the colour combination of his black/brown dark glass, as well as the golden writing and lid white is pleasing. In the same colour, the spray head is also kept inside, where it can perform its task as desired, but at no time can it reach the products from Dior or Chanel.
If there were any reason for complaint at all, it would probably be the lid itself.
To what extent the construction and design of a flacon should be included in the evaluation of a fragrance should be decided by each individual. Nevertheless, I can certainly understand that - especially in view of the price we are about to arrive at at any given moment - many people consider it to be of little value. The colour is harmonious and the grooved surface fits into the overall design concept of the actual glass flacon! Nevertheless, the lid looks quite "cheap" on the inside, especially because of its light weight and plastic surface.
Price:
How you want to look at the price depends very much on your own starting position: If you come from the corner of niche fragrances or private blends from Tom Ford, Noir Extreme is a quite acceptable price/performance ratio.
But if you look at the whole thing from the perspective of the ubiquitous designers, this fragrance is definitely at the top end of the price scale. The good durability and the quite unique or rarely or never to be found scent can justify the price, but this is not a cheap purchase at all!
Comparison:
As far as I know, Noir Extreme does not have a direct or close "clone", although I was never allowed to test the "Masculin 2 Gold Fever" by Bourjois which is mentioned here. It is definitely sweeter than the "Noir pour Femme" - from which it was visibly inspired, and not from the other "Noir's" from the men's fragrance line.
The mandarin of the top note cannot be compared at any point in time of duration with that of Chanel's "Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême" - rather it appears spicier than fresh.
And if you want to know how much the vanilla note of the base could disturb you, imagine a quality of Tom Ford's "Tobacco Vanilla" and a slightly subdued aura of Armani's "Code Absolu pour Homme".
Conclusion:
So for whom is Tom Ford Noir Extreme the right fragrance? Not at all for smart spenders, that much can be said. Although it's not a high-priced niche fragrance à la Parfums de Marly or Roja, it's also not a price category in which standard fragrances from Versace and Co. are to be found. In my eyes worth the price, but everyone has to decide this question for himself.
Even advocates of the aquatic, fresh or woody categories will not find what they are looking for in this fragrance. But whoever is not afraid of the price or otherwise can get a bargain and can win something from sweet-gourmand scents with unique or rare scents, will be happy with Noir Extreme!
Although not in price, Noir Extreme is a fragrance that, when used in a suitably adapted bottle, could easily enter the private blends sector without criticism or changes.
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