Noir Tom Ford 2012 Eau de Parfum

Noir goes on with a sweet slightly herb-laced citrus and violet floral open before transitioning to its heart accord. During the heart phase of the scent the early citrus from the top notes all but disappears while the violet remains in the starring role, now turning very powdery as iris joins it as co-star while adding a soft synthetic smelling rose note to support the powdery starring floral duo. As the linear progression moves to the dry-down, the powdery violet and iris tandem remains as the rose recedes, now with relatively sweet vanilla and amber smoothing things out a bit from the base. Projection and longevity are both good to very good.

Noir is really a pretty straightforward linear scent despite its official laundry list of ingredients. I remember trying it on paper first at the store and being mildly impressed with what I sniffed. Unfortunately I only got the top notes from my quick paper test that while unoriginal, are indeed pleasant smelling. When I later sprayed a sample on skin for a more complete analysis those top notes disappeared relatively quickly and then disappointment set in as the scent profile turned into a giant bottle of baby powder/baby oil. That pretty much sums things up, as once you get to the powdery heart Noir does not change much from there, only turning a bit sweet later-on. Quite frankly, if this sounds like something you want to smell like I recommend just buying some inexpensive Johnson's Baby Oil or Powder to rub all over your body and save yourself over $100 and a bunch of buyer's remorse from this 2 to 2.5 star out of 5 generic disappointment from Tom Ford.

Dark and mysterious , i love it soooooooooo much , very nice smooth powdery and fresh fresh fresh SPICY

Undoubtedly Tom Ford has managed to create some of the very good fragrances but I don't know why he has been focusing more on being inspired rather than being innovative, majority of his releases are evident , you can see the connection of his fragrances with many famous niche hits.
I find Noir very dated from the start, with a sweet , powdery and flowery notes , they tried to produce a similar vibe like Guerlain Habit Rouge but failed imo , too much synthetic sweetness and spices ruined it and makes it difficult to wear for me , marketed as masculine but to me it leans towards unisex or feminine side.

Complex scent with oriental spicy overtones. Smell lingers for hours after applying and if spray on clothes lasts even longer. Not as smooth a scent as the Noir extreme versions but still a pleasant smell. Best for evening wear. Could be a bit overpowering if use in hot weather. Be careful not to overspray 3-4 sprays is more than enough to last all evening and more could overpower others, particularly if they got close. Likely to suit an older person as scent probably not suited to younger people. If only have money for one of Noir range get the noire extreme Parfum, but if a compulsive collector this is different enough to warrant a purchase.

As much as it pains the Guerlain lover in me to say this—I’ve never clicked with Habit Rouge. I own the potent 2011 Habit de Cuir version, and it’s an avalanche. From the moment it hits skin, it unleashes an intense lemon burst that spirals into an overly rosy, powdery, syrupy affair. It’s a heavyweight from the get-go, and not in a comforting, enveloping way—it simply smothers. I’ve tried taming it across seasons, tweaking the dosage, but nope. Even a single spritz feels like overkill. Despite sampling multiple batches over the years, it never worked for me. (Now Shalimar, on the other hand—that's pure magic on my skin.)

So imagine my surprise when a seller accidentally sent me Tom Ford Noir EDP instead of the EDT. The sweet-powdery opening screamed “Habit Rouge déjà vu.” But something told me to give it another chance—and thankfully, I did.

On repeated wear, Noir EDP began to unfurl in unexpected ways. The top is an unapologetic spice bomb: black pepper and nutmeg throw punches right out of the bottle, but they're laced with lemony verbena, crisp violet leaves, a whiff of caraway, and even a raunchy civet undertone. It’s chaotic, wild, animalic—a bit of a hot mess at first.

As it evolves, a soft violet-orris heart surfaces, mellowed by rose, geranium, and clary sage. These notes act like a steadying hand, linking the sharp top to the luscious, rich base. The base is an opulent mélange of benzoin, styrax, opoponax, and vanilla, anchored by earthy patchouli and a thread of clean musks. There’s even a whisper of a greyish vetiver with a grapefruit-y tang, more prominent in the scent trail than on the skin.

In the end, Noir EDP is everything Habit Rouge isn’t for me: multifaceted, structured, and full of shadows and light. If you enjoy classic compositions with a modern twist—this one’s definitely worth your time.

8.5/10

P.s: I love how Tom Ford fragrances are so incredibly polished & smooth irrespective of who the perfumer is. Definitely feels part of the brief - a house signature of sorts.