As a big Black Opium fan and apologist, I have tried all the flankers. And I have to admit that some of them are pretty uncreative and way too close to the original. But this is a good one! Recognizably Black Opium, but with enough differences to justify owning both.
It's basically the sweetened coffee from the original with a richer vanilla base that makes it similar to the Le Parfum flanker (which is also great). Besides that, there is a generous dose of juicy cherry and jasmine. While the original has a more general floral accord, this one has a more defined jasmine note that comes across as sweet, creamy and even a bit bubblegum-ish. It lends a new textural aspect to the scent, which in my opinion is just as important as the addition of cherry.
This is a playful scent that would be perfect for evening and nighttime wear. It's very sweet and girly, but smoother and more rounded than the original EDP. Maybe because the cool pear note is missing and got replaced by warmer, creamier notes.
It's also a great take on cherry for gourmand lovers who are tired of the myriads of Lost Cherry clones.
In my opinion the whole is more than the sum of its parts here. One could think that Over Red is just Black Opium or Blacl Opium Le Parfum with a little cherry on top and the same effect could be achieved with layering, but I don't think you'd get the same result. I actually tried it with a sample of Le Parfum and Lost Cherry, and while also very nice, it's different.
I might add this to my collection.
