Bigelow Elixir Black Pepper Cologne No. 1586
C.O. Bigelow Apothecary

A black pepper riff
On White's milky theme with some
Not bad Fauxssiewood.

Having enjoyed C.O. Bigelow's Bay Rum Cologne, Elixir Black, and (most of all) Elixir White, I had fairly high expectations for a pepper-named fragrance, but Elixir Black Pepper is disappointing in that it doesn't smell peppery and doesn't smell very good at all. I get a dry, musky accord right off the bat that lasts into the dry down, and it's unpleasant and not well-blended. It's a common aspect among fragrances I end up disliking that there is a musky dry down that usually represents dried or stale fruit and is generally unpleasant.

More objectively, projection is pretty good at the opening but as an EDC the longevity is predictably lacking.

I'd advise steering clear of this---Black, White, and Bay Rum are my favorites, but even Green and Blue are very good compared to this.

3 out of 10

all notes are faint except the vanilla and musk. it's a basic skin scent, lasting only 15-30 minutes tops.no borbon or black pepper detected. i blind bought this and white and am hoping white at leasts lasts longer.

A very good scent combination. Simple, but smells good with a darkish bourbon/vanilla combo. It is a great weekend scent when you can splash it on every couple of hours. I can't see wearing it to work because I'm not sure it would still be around by lunchtime.

Overall a solid scent for the cheap price point.

A "drugstore cologne" that really is better than you'd expect, but then again, CO Bigelow in New York is known for its wonderfully curated niche fragrance shelf. Elixer Black Pepper delivers exactly what it promises: a sweet bourbon/vanilla combination with pepper and sandalwood notes and just a hint of clean musk. Nothing too complex, just a great clean and long-lasting smell. I rate it great value for money.

Given all of the sexy marketing surrounding this new C.O. Bigelow release, I guess I was expecting something edgier (maybe more of the bourbon/black pepper combo?). The drydown smells nearly identical to Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, which is a great fragrance, but not exactly what I was looking for.