Cologne Noire
Perfumer: Mark Buxton
Votes lean masculine
73 ratings
From your scent profile
Van Cleef & Arpels Cologne Noire is a discontinued unisex scent that pairs the fresh citrus of bergamot, neroli and mandarin orange with the spice of black pepper and ginger.
Skunky's take: A good friend for desk days.
How does it perform?
From 64 community ratings, all out of 10.
Keeps you company for a few hours, a quick refresh fits nicely.
Whispers to close friends, never shouts at a crowd.
Sits nicely on a shelf.
The price makes you think, so a small size is a smart start.
Blind buy risk
Only 45% of votes are positive.
Notes
They open one after another, from the first spray into the evening.
Top notesfirst 15 minutes
Heart notesfirst few hours
Accords
From most dominant to most subtle.
- Fresh
- Citrus
- Floral
- Green
- Fruity
- Spicy
- Woody
- Smoky
Fresh
Citrus
Floral
Green
Fruity
Spicy
Woody
SmokyWhat does Cologne Noire smell like?
Cologne Noire is rated as a light wearer: both longevity and sillage are judged weak, so it stays close to the skin and keeps quiet. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear and the office lead the occasions. Masculine and feminine votes run close, so it moves easily between the two.
The top notes of bergamot, neroli, mandarin orange and bitter orange give a bright, fresh citrus opening. Black pepper and ginger in the heart add spice to that freshness, and cardamom and woods in the base settle it into a dry, woody, slightly smoky line. Floral and green touches stay in the background.
How it changes through the day
First minutes
- Bergamot
- Neroli
- Mandarin orange
First hours
- Black pepper
- Ginger
Towards evening
- Cardamom
- Woods
When to wear it?
Seasons and occasions, by user votes.
- 33%Spring
- 31%Summer
- 25%Autumn
- 10%Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter- Daytime27%
- Office25%
- Casual22%
- Evening12%
- Nighttime9%
- Sport6%
Least picked for nights out.
Smells like this
The closest scents by notes and accords.
55% matchLa Route des Épices - Iguazú
ID Parfums
53% matchMandragore
Goutal · 2005
52% matchIn Red (Eau de Parfum)
Armand Basi
50% matchFlamenco Néroli
L'Orchestre Parfum · 2017
50% matchHot Cologne
Mugler · 2016
50% matchEau d'Arômes
Giorgio Armani · 2014
49% matchNeroli Sauvage
Creed · 1994
49% matchM. Asam No. 1
M. Asam
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Last updated: October 26, 2026