The company Givaudan created Black Orchid in 2006. Tom Ford Black Orchid is made from the blackest and rarest orchids making it an opulent, sensual, and classically dark perfume. It was initially introduced as an oriental chypre perfume for women.
Black Orchid is made for ladies who enjoy challenges, love daring experiences, and adore unique scents. However, it is now considered a gender-neutral scent because of its charismatic appeal. It projects a different type of sexiness and innovativeness that many find irresistible.
The meticulous selection of notes and artistic combination of scents created a lasting and unique aroma. Tom Ford’s Black Orchid became a basis for many other fragrances that notable fashion houses launched.
Black Orchid is unapologetic and loud. Fans adore the strong hints of dark chocolate, spices, leathery notes, incense, mysterious floras, and dark earthiness. These are also why other people can’t stand its smell. It all depends on your preference. Black Orchid may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this only adds up to the mysteriousness of this perfume.
It comes in an elegant, opaque black bottle with ridges and a gold plaque.
| Brand | Tom Ford |
| Perfumer | David Apel and Pierre Negrin |
| Type | Eau De Parfum |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Discontinued? | Yes |
| Gender | Female |
| Accords | Oriental Chypre |
| Longevity | more than 8 hours |
| Occasion | Dinner Dates, Clubbing, Formal Gatherings |
| Season | Winter and Fall |
What Does Tom Ford Black Orchid Smell Like?
Tom Ford loves creating high-quality scents with complicated compositions that require serious blending skills. Black Orchid by Tom Ford is earthy, sweet, spicy, and warm with hints of dark chocolate and truffle with a woody base. The most prominent scent of this perfume is patchouli which smells very sweet and sensual.
The start of the dry-down phase will give you the spicy and warm flavors of the fruity notes followed by the fragrant floral scents present from the opening. Then, it will become musky and ambery.
The vanilla notes will become stronger and more prominent in the final phase. This is when Black Orchid will become rich, sexy, alluring, dark, and seductive. If you are looking for a scent that will make you feel brave, attractive, bold, and the center of attention, you’ll love Tom Ford’s Black Orchid.
Unfortunately, the original Black Orchid was discontinued. If you are hooked by this scent, you can try some perfumes with a similar style like Precious Oud by Van Cleef & Arpels, Maremma by Tiziana Terenzi, Velvet Orchid by Tom Ford, Dark Orchid by Amouroud, and Arthes Love Never Dies Gold by Jeanne Arthes.
Tom Ford Black Orchid Notes
| Top | Gardenia, Black Currant, Truffle, Ylang-Ylang, Bergamot, Amalfi Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Jasmine |
| Middle | Spices, Fruity Notes, Orchids, Gardenia, Ylang-Ylang, Lotus, and Jasmine |
| Base | Patchouli, Mexican Chocolate, Incense, Sandalwood, White Mask, Vanilla, Amber, Vetiver |
How Long Does Tom Ford Black Orchid Last?
Black Orchid by Tom Ford has an amazing and powerful longevity. It can actually last for more than eight hours. However, keep in mind that even though Black Orchid is a high-quality fragrance, its lasting power can be affected by how your skin reacts and embraces the scent.
Black Orchid will stick with you throughout the day. Once you apply it in the morning, it won’t fade away until dinner time. So, Black Orchid is a safe choice for a long trip or a hectic schedule.
Sillage and Projection
Black Orchid by Tom Ford has an amazing projection for the first two to three hours. It also has an impressive sillage that can reach several feet in distance. People will definitely notice you if you are wearing Black Orchid. So, be ready to receive stares, glares, and compliments.
You must only apply a few sprays of Black Orchid to achieve optimal performance. Do not be tempted to spray more than three times since Black Orchid is a robust scent. This scent can become aggressive and overwhelming if you apply it multiple times.
When to Wear Tom Ford Black Orchid
Black Orchid by Tom Ford works best during the winter and fall seasons. It is a warm scent people love to use on cold and chilly days. You can wear it during nighttime when the temperature is low, but it is not advised to use it during summer and hot seasons.
Black Orchid is warm, woody, and sweet. It can be your to-go perfume for evening events, romantic and luxurious dinner dates, and other formal events. But it can also be fitting for parties, night outs, clubbing, or bar hopping because of its sexy and rich scent.
Its elegance is more suitable for formal affairs like business meetings, conferences, etc., rather than a casual date, picnic, or walk in the park.
Is Tom Ford Black Orchid For Men, Women, or Unisex?
Black Orchid by Tom Ford is originally designed for ladies. The versatility of its complicated composition attracts fans of different genders. Its alluring, dark, and sexy vibe is something that many people appreciate and adore.
It is now marketed as a unisex type of fragrance. It is even more interesting that it dries down differently on ladies and men.
Tom Ford Black Orchid FAQs
When was Tom Ford Black Orchid released?
Black Orchid by Tom Ford was introduced to the perfume market in 2006. It is an opulent, sensual, dark perfume made from the rarest and blackest orchids. David Apel and Pierre Negrin are the geniuses behind this scent.
Why is Tom Ford Black Orchid so popular?
Black Orchid gained its popularity because of its complex note pyramid. It has a long-lasting effect, impressive sillage, and excellent projection. It has become a fan favorite because of its addicting and alluring scent.
Is Tom Ford Black Orchid discontinued?
Yes. Unfortunately, the original Black Orchid by Tom Ford has been discontinued. But, Tom Ford released different versions of the original, like the Eau de Toilette version in 201 and the Black Orchid Parfum in 2020. Apel and Negrin are still the perfumers.
How much is Tom Ford Black Orchid?
Black Orchid is luxurious. An Eau de Parfum in a 50 ml bottle will cost you $90, while a 100 ml bottle comes with a price tag of $135. There is also a limited edition (5,000 bottles only) of 15 ml Parfum that you can buy at $600.
Does Tom Ford Black Orchid smell good?
A strong and complicated perfume like Black Orchid may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, if you love unique, strong, and dark fragrances, you’ll probably adore this perfume. It has an amazing quality, and a few sprays will make you stand out from the crowd.