Top Notes 
Bitter orange
Lavender
Pepper
Heart Notes 
Cedar
Nutmeg
Caraway
Klimpzadur
Base Notes 
Gaiac wood
Marzipan
Oud
12/08/2017
Elysium
891 Reviews
Elysium
2
There ain't no Black in 1881 Black
The Hidden Gem of the Line. Let’s get something out of the way: 1881 Black has absolutely nothing to do with the original Cerruti 1881. Where the original leans soapy, green, and sharp-fresh, Black is walking a whole different path. Richer. Warmer. Deeper. And dare I say—more intriguing.
I actually picked up several Cerruti fragrances back in the spring, and 1881 Black was among them. Gave it a quick sniff once, but it didn’t stand out at the time—Fairplay stole the spotlight back then. Fast forward three seasons, and one casual spray on my skin made me go, “Wait, what is this?” Suddenly, 1881 Black clicked. A clean yet spicy-woody creation with just enough sweetness to keep it rounded and smooth. That balance? Spot on.
The opening is elegant: a warm spicy accord that leans slightly sweet but still holds a certain freshness. Pepper and bitter orange stand out right away, giving it an energetic lift. There’s also something herbaceous—maybe caraway? Slightly balsamic, even medicinal at first, but that facet fades quickly. What remains is a smooth, gently spiced introduction that paves the way for deeper tones to emerge.
As it transitions into the heart, lavender shows up—soothing and calm—balancing the warmth with an almost aromatic chill. Then the magic starts: cedarwood anchors the composition, but what really takes the stage is the marzipan accord. Yes, you read that right. That almondy sweetness, creamy and rounded thanks to a whisper of oud, brings to mind a vanilla-like smoothness, without being a dessert bomb.
And the oud? Don’t expect the aggressive, smoky Middle Eastern stuff. This one is polite—soft, clean, supportive. It wraps around the almond note, giving it dimension and warmth. It’s nutty, slightly woody, almost edible… and incredibly pleasant. You can practically taste the marzipan in the air.
Now, if you’re into male gourmands like I am, 1881 Black deserves a spot in your rotation. It’s not your usual gourmand either—no cinnamon-sugar overload or candied spices. This is more subtle. More grown-up. A rich, slightly unconventional blend of sweet and spice, with a clever woody undercurrent. It doesn’t scream masculinity in the traditional leather-tobacco sense, but it wears confidently and comfortably. The kind of scent that invites closer attention.
The drydown is a cozy pleasure: soft woods, a touch of spice, and that delicate marzipan sweetness lingering like a well-made memory. It’s not linear, but also not chaotic—each phase flows naturally into the next, telling a quiet story.
Performance? Quite decent for an affordable EDT. I get several solid hours of wear with moderate projection. Not a room-filler, but it holds its own. Great for office wear, relaxed evenings, or even those quiet, introspective days when you just want to smell good for yourself. Recommended seasons? Cool, crisp autumn afternoons or chilly winter evenings—this scent thrives in colder air.
Overall, 1881 Black is a surprising, underrated flanker that dares to go gourmand without falling into cliché. It plays with warm woods, sweet almonds, and gentle spices in a way that’s both inviting and distinctive. A sleeper hit in the Cerruti lineup, and a welcome curveball in any modern man’s collection.
— Elysium
I actually picked up several Cerruti fragrances back in the spring, and 1881 Black was among them. Gave it a quick sniff once, but it didn’t stand out at the time—Fairplay stole the spotlight back then. Fast forward three seasons, and one casual spray on my skin made me go, “Wait, what is this?” Suddenly, 1881 Black clicked. A clean yet spicy-woody creation with just enough sweetness to keep it rounded and smooth. That balance? Spot on.
The opening is elegant: a warm spicy accord that leans slightly sweet but still holds a certain freshness. Pepper and bitter orange stand out right away, giving it an energetic lift. There’s also something herbaceous—maybe caraway? Slightly balsamic, even medicinal at first, but that facet fades quickly. What remains is a smooth, gently spiced introduction that paves the way for deeper tones to emerge.
As it transitions into the heart, lavender shows up—soothing and calm—balancing the warmth with an almost aromatic chill. Then the magic starts: cedarwood anchors the composition, but what really takes the stage is the marzipan accord. Yes, you read that right. That almondy sweetness, creamy and rounded thanks to a whisper of oud, brings to mind a vanilla-like smoothness, without being a dessert bomb.
And the oud? Don’t expect the aggressive, smoky Middle Eastern stuff. This one is polite—soft, clean, supportive. It wraps around the almond note, giving it dimension and warmth. It’s nutty, slightly woody, almost edible… and incredibly pleasant. You can practically taste the marzipan in the air.
Now, if you’re into male gourmands like I am, 1881 Black deserves a spot in your rotation. It’s not your usual gourmand either—no cinnamon-sugar overload or candied spices. This is more subtle. More grown-up. A rich, slightly unconventional blend of sweet and spice, with a clever woody undercurrent. It doesn’t scream masculinity in the traditional leather-tobacco sense, but it wears confidently and comfortably. The kind of scent that invites closer attention.
The drydown is a cozy pleasure: soft woods, a touch of spice, and that delicate marzipan sweetness lingering like a well-made memory. It’s not linear, but also not chaotic—each phase flows naturally into the next, telling a quiet story.
Performance? Quite decent for an affordable EDT. I get several solid hours of wear with moderate projection. Not a room-filler, but it holds its own. Great for office wear, relaxed evenings, or even those quiet, introspective days when you just want to smell good for yourself. Recommended seasons? Cool, crisp autumn afternoons or chilly winter evenings—this scent thrives in colder air.
Overall, 1881 Black is a surprising, underrated flanker that dares to go gourmand without falling into cliché. It plays with warm woods, sweet almonds, and gentle spices in a way that’s both inviting and distinctive. A sleeper hit in the Cerruti lineup, and a welcome curveball in any modern man’s collection.
— Elysium
RobbieX
Elysium
