Bulgari Man In Black
Parfum, Bulgari (2024)

Bvlgari Man In Black Parfum by Bvlgari (2024) is the expected upmarket tick for the Bvlgari Man in Black (2014) range, which is in some ways more popular than the standard Bvlgari Man (2012) and all its myriad "flavored" flankers. That said, this is still Bvlgari Man in Black as you know it, with a few new enrichments and tricks up its sleeve. Is this enough to move the needle for me out of the middle over into the green? Nah. I never really got on with this line from the start, although I can understand the appeal, with Alberto Morillas phoning in a spicy tonka and wood do-si-do that seems perfect for non-thinkers just wanting a black tie scent for upper-echelon office work.

The biggest difference here is rounded density, richness, and a focus on woody-amber materials filled out with resins until the cheeks are puffy. The boozy opening is toned down somewhat in favor of this base-heavy thud, recalling Armani Code Parfum by Giorgio Armani (2023), which goes in similar fashion. In place of a thickened, sweetened, lavender amber accord like the Armani, Bvlgari Man in Black Parfum doubles down on its unusual tuberose iris mixture, typically buried in pepper by the OG until it doesn't really register unless you have a perfumer's nose. That extra bit of cypriol adds a weird bit of sour dryness, that fumbles somewhat with the cinnamon and cardamom, making this still somewhat dusty like the original.

What you come to Bvlgari Man in Black Parfum for is a richer, heavier, more-ambery take on the original that adds slightly thicker florals, patchouli, and resinous elements while keeping everything else you know the same. The sharp pepper and boozy notes (which can be read as artificial to some) are sent into the background so the base can do most of the talking instead. The upcharge for this experience is not enough to justify in my opinion; but please bear in mind I am no fan of this line to begin with, so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt if you ARE a fan of this range. What I can guarantee is a more mature, more serious experience, although that is probably a given since this is made to be an upgrade for people who own the eau de toilette or any of its limited-edition flankers. Neutral