Polo Black by Ralph Lauren is a Woody Aromatic fragrance for men launched in 2005 as an Eau de Toilette. The perfumer behind this fragrance is Pierre Negrin.
Polo Black was very popular when it was released, but over the years, its popularity started dwindling in comparison to some of the newer releases by Ralph Lauren. Polo Black was followed by the flanker, Polo Double Black.
The keynotes of this Woody Aromatic are mango, patchouli, sage, sandalwood, and tonka bean.
A description by the brand:
This sophisticated fragrance is a bold fusion of iced mango, silver armoise, and patchouli noir.
| Perfume Name | Polo Black |
| Brand | Ralph Lauren |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilette |
| Scent Family | Woody Aromatic |
| Gender | men |
I used to love wearing this fragrance years ago and I recently decided to start experimenting with some old favorites again. These are my thoughts on Polo Black.
What does Polo Black by Ralph Lauren smell like?
Polo Black has a modern and masculine smell with hints of citrus, sage, and warm woods.
If you’re familiar with its flanker, Polo Double Black, you’ll find Polo Black to be a bit more of a brighter fragrance without the darker coffee and spice notes. To my nose, it exudes a slightly similar vibe to Acqua di Gio’s Profumo, though Polo Black is a bit more linear.
| Top Notes | Mango, Tangerine |
| Middle Notes | Lemon, Sage |
| Base Notes | Patchouli, Tonka Bean, Wormwood, Sandalwood |
My Experience
Every time I spray Polo Black, I’m reminded by how much I love that striking mango note in the opening. The mango note is complemented by the underlying woodsy spice that the patchouli and sage notes bring about. Even though the mango is sweet, it isn’t too sweet, which sometimes can happen with tropical aromas.
I really love how the mango and sage play off each other. It’s not a combination that I would typically expect, especially in men’s cologne, but Pierre Negrin really hit the nail on the head with this fragrance.
After the initial strong opening note of mango, I can pick up some more of the tangerine, which with the mango, makes for a really juicy opening overall. It’s this juiciness that lends the scent a refreshing feel to it that lasts throughout the entire duration of the scent.
As the scent continues to dry down, the woodsy notes start taking center stage. My favorite note is the smooth sandalwood note, as well as the tonka bean in this stage. The tangerine hasn’t completely disappeared, and it’s still lingering in the background.
The opening is undoubtedly my favorite part of wearing this fragrance. I love how the contrasting fruity, woodsy, and spicy notes work so well together, although after the opening the fragrance becomes much more linear.
Sillage & Projection
On my skin, I tend to get good projection, but it’s by no means beast mode performance. Also, in terms of sillage, I get moderate performance. Although this fragrance isn’t a powerhouse, it’s still pretty solid especially given that it is an Eau de Toilette.
Longevity & Versatility
One of the biggest pros of this scent is that it’s truly a year-round scent. Although, personally, I’d say it really shines in the colder months of the year. It’s also a scent that will work very well for pretty much any occasion. Whether it’s to the office or out on a date, I’ve found that it’s quite a crowd-pleaser, so you can’t ever really go wrong with it.
In terms of longevity, Polo Black does a pretty decent job. On my skin, I can expect it to last around 5 hours. I usually just add a spray or two by late afternoon if I know I’m going to be heading somewhere after work.
Closing thoughts
I’d say a younger crowd would probably gravitate towards this scent, but don’t let that put you off from trying it, even if you are older. I guess this comment is based on the fact that I feel it’s one of those fragrances that you start wearing as you are just starting your fragrance journey.
It’s a great scent if you are looking for something that’s easy to wear any time of the year. In my opinion, this scent is entirely incapable of offending anyone. That being said, I still won’t classify it as worth a blind buy. Although, if you really like scents with mango, then I’d safe it’s a safe blind buy.
If this is a scent you are in love with, it’s absolutely worthy of a full bottle, as you’ll have plenty of opportunity to wear it. And in my experience, women really love the scent, so you are pretty much guaranteed a fair amount of compliments.