L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme Noir Absolu Issey Miyake 2010

Winter variants of classic successful perfumes seem to be in vogue this year. After Kenzo pour Homme Boisé, Issey Miyake now presents Noir Absolue, a dark variant of the great L‘Eau d‘Issey pour Homme. They have done this before - the also darker L‘Eau d‘Issey pour Homme Intense hardly shows as a variant, it is more of an independent fragrance.

However, with the new Noir Absolue, they stay very close to the original. I immediately smell the unmistakable, previously thought to be unique L‘Eau d‘Issey pour Homme note: citrusy, herbal, green. A comparison on test strips with the original revealed hardly any differences.

And what justifies the designation as Noir? Perhaps in my mind, I perceive a bit more spice - the hints of cinnamon may be slightly more noticeable. And in the base, the dry woody notes are somewhat more pronounced. Thus, Noir Absolue is overall a bit heavier. It lacks a bit of the lightness that the original exudes. But the difference is not significant.

I like L‘Eau d‘Issey pour Homme. It is this unmistakable herbal citrus note, combined with lightness and freshness, that makes this fragrance attractive. L‘Eau d‘Issey pour Homme is far too pronounced for daily use. I own the small 30 ml bottle and use it about 2 times a year, on really beautiful summer days.

With Noir Absolue, summer is supposed to be extended. Those who stubbornly want to maintain the memory of swimming pool visits, street cafés, and the warm wind on their skin during autumn storms can try this with Noir Absolue. It is a winter fragrance that reminds one of summer.

For me, it is all too much. The typical L‘Eau d‘Issey pour Homme is quite a strong affair and is beautifully and elegantly expressed as a light, fresh summer perfume. If you take away the freshness, as with Noir Absolue, then it quickly comes across as somewhat overpowering.

We cannot influence the seasons; we can only make the best of it. Precisely with other, more wintry perfumes. Those who cannot get enough of summer should rather travel than use Noir Absolue. For the reasons described, Noir Absolue is not better than the original, to which it is too similar. Only true L‘Eau d‘Issey pour Homme fans, who have completely fallen for the fragrance, will greatly welcome Noir Absolue. Personally, I do not need it.