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Black Kenneth Cole 2003 Eau de Toilette

6.7 / 10 159 Ratings

A perfume by Kenneth Cole for men, released in 2003. The scent is fresh-citrusy. It is being marketed by Parlux Ltd..
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Main accords

Fresh

Citrus

Spicy

Synthetic

Woody

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Mandarin orange Basil

Basil

Water mint Ginger

Ginger

Heart Notes

Lotus

Cedar

Frankincense Nutmeg

Nutmeg

Base Notes

Amber

Violet leaf Musk

Musk

Perfumers

Harry Frémont, Sabine de Tscharner

Ratings

Scent

6.7159 Ratings

Longevity

6.4122 Ratings

Sillage

5.8108 Ratings

Bottle

6.3110 Ratings

Value for money

7.439 Ratings

Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 05/01/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Black After Shave

Craze Noir

Black Bold

Effusion Man Eau de Toilette

Happy for Men Eau de Toilette

Bvlgari pour Homme Extrême

Reviews

10 in-depth fragrance descriptions

02/05/2012

7Scent 5Longevity 5Sillage

Missk
1357 Reviews

Missk

3

Certainly unisex

I was a little confused when I tried Black for the first time. I didn't know that there was both a female and male version of the scent, I thought there was just one, and that Kenneth Cole Black was unisex.

Obviously now I understand, however I won't retract my original observation that this could be worn by both men and women.

There is something very unique and likable about this fragrance. It tends to be rather spicy and sweet, exotic in a sense.

The opening of ginger, mandarin orange, basil and mint is both refreshing yet delicate on the skin. Sensuality is projected through this fragrance quite strongly.

I find that the incense, nutmeg, ginger and cedar seem to be the driving force behind this fragrance. The combination of those notes create an intense and sexy aura. Incense in any fragrance usually turns out to be a hit with me because of its beautiful smokiness and mystery.

Unfortunately Kenneth Cole Black doesn't last for as long as I would have liked. I think it's very important to be able to enjoy this fragrance on the skin for as long as possible. However despite the poor lasting power, I do still recommend this fragrance to men and women alike.

01/08/2020

8Scent 6Longevity 6Sillage

Smellavision
205 Reviews

Smellavision

2

So, is it black?

Nope! Oh, maybe it's a nighttime fragrance ? Nope! Whatever the meaning behind the name and design, this is a great fresh sweet minty flowery (must be the lotus blossom) smell. At first it reminded me of Kenzo's Homme Boisee/Woody (must be the basil/mint mix), but Cole's version is sweeter, more powerful and amazingly still keeping it fresh. A very fine spring or even summer fragrance with decent sillage and good longevity - give it a whirl!
Oh, and don't be surprised by the 30 ml/1oz bottle. When you first unbox it, it looks like an owergrown travel spray. Fortunately it comes in a heavy quality glass bottle with a design that you won't have to be ashamed of.

11/30/2014

7.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Aquarius67
46 Reviews

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Aquarius67

Very helpful Review 3

Deceptive Packaging

Two weeks ago, I entered a branch of a well-known chain with the intention of acquiring a dark fragrance. I thought to myself, why not take a risk with a blind buy. Among other options, Armani Code made it to the shortlist. However, since BLACK sounded good, I decided on KK BLACK. With no expectations, I tested it at home; well, that’s where I encountered misfortune and the consequence of my blind buy. There was nothing dark, black, or black about it. This fragrance is pretty much the exact opposite. It is a modern everyday scent; fresh, lightly citrusy, and with a subtle sweetness lingering in the background. As the fragrance develops, the freshness gradually diminishes, and it becomes softer, more amber-like, and warmer. But what its name suggests, it is in no way at all. So what do we learn from this: Stay away from blind buys.

09/13/2013

3Scent

ZrankFappa
30 Reviews

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ZrankFappa

3

What do I not understand about this soup?

Today I applied it on the back of my hand for testing.
After the first sniff, I wiped it off in disgust. Too bad, it's still there.
What I don't like is a totally diffuse jumble of spicy fresh aromatic scents. None stands out against the others.
At the front, there is soap, a handful of garden herbs, violets, and freshly washed curtains.
I feel like I'm going to get a headache now.

I don't like it, but that's not all: it's illogically structured, wildly thrown together, (like RSVP by Kenneth Cole, except I like that one.)
May someone else enjoy this.

08/18/2010

6Scent 7.5Longevity

DeGe53
560 Reviews

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DeGe53

4

No, it really isn't Black

I am on the hunt for a really SUPER GREAT men's fragrance. And "black" in the title already sounds good. The bottle isn't bad either, it gives off a slightly wicked vibe. Or it could be avant-garde. Or existentialist. Just an artist.
The scent starts off nicely. Fresh, but not too citrusy. And you eagerly await the development, as something substantial is already bubbling up from below. I find the basil not too strong, as it can sometimes be. The green-spicy oeuvre (!!) holds back, probably due to the combination with mandarin.
Somehow, the scent becomes familiar as it develops. It's not exactly new what unfolds here. But what is it? It continues with a distinctly masculine character. Nutmeg is a bit irritating, adding some tension to the otherwise rather unspectacular heart note given the ingredients.
However, Black develops an almost unpleasant note on my skin. Not constant, but now and then a hint - forgive the comparison - of fecal excrement emerges. Just for a brief moment, but that's enough. I need to scrub it off. What a shame. But I don't want to give up hope and pull out one of my test strips. Spray again and lo and behold, the development is quite different.
The freshness persists, nutmeg doesn't bother at all here, you can clearly recognize the cedar-incense mélange and amber accompanied by the green-fresh violet leaf makes itself known. Musk rounds it off without being too prominent.
But that is not the manufacturer's intention. The scent is supposed to smell good on the skin, not just on the paper strip. And it really isn't Black. I perceive it as mossy-dark green. Like a thick moss cushion, still squeaky from the last rain shower.
I won't be gifting this. The risk is too great for me. Maybe others have had better experiences with it.

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