Versace pour Homme Oud Noir
Versace (2013)

Versace has never let me down and I blind bought this because I wanted something a bit spicier.

It’s a simpler fragrance, starts spicy while settling into woodsy musk. I’m no expert on oud but the impression I get is that the base oud is very simple.

Projection is decent but it lasts a long time on my skin. I’ve had people mention it up to 12 hours after applying with no reapplication. It’s a very good winter fragrance and I’ve added it to my rotation.

Like I said, the only downside is that it’s simple. There’s no complexity and no mystery. If you’re looking for something seductive, this isn’t it, but it’s a very solid addition.

Versace pour Homme Oud Noir (2013) is really close to the discontinued Versace Man (2003) to my nose, so much that I believe that one may have been discontinued to give this one some space on the market, and to basically re-market an idea that didn't do so well a decade beforehand with an upscale twist. That upscale twist of course, is the claimed oud note, which in the mostly-Versace-Man-on-steroids build of Versace pour Homme Oud Noir reads like peppery woods a la Creed Royal Oud (2011), after which this may also be chasing. As a downmarket alternative to Royal Oud, I can wholeheartedly recommend Versace pour Homme Oud Noir as well, as the scent really does feel like a mix between it and the erstwhile original Versace Man. It's really just that simple. People compare this to Tom Ford Oud Wood (2007) and I don't see it.

The opening is all peppery woods and smoke, a really nice kind of somehow clean and fresh smoky oud, in spite of how contradictory that might sound. Eventually these darker notes give way to sweeter neroli and some bigarade for counter-balance, all of which replaces the grape leaf opening of Versace Man. The familiar saffron and cardamom from Versace Man floats into view, with the tobacco note of Versace Man died down to a nondescript tonka to support a greater presence of patchouli and woody-amber materials judiciously applied (no sandpaper scratch here). Beyond that, traces of Amouage-like incense (the highest-quality note in Versace pour Homme Oud Noir) really hit home the purpose of this being a "premium" upgrade from the usual masculine Versace fare. Performance is perfectly fine, although this gets quieter after hour two.

There isn't much more to say beyond that, as a fragrance like this has been rumored to be discontinued like Versace Man, with prices in the aftermarket rising, before stores restock and discounters are flooded with testers for cheap once more. I honestly think this stuff is just not normally sold in North America or very many parts of Europe, and it would be like Versace to keep this as an exclusive to some of its higher-end retail partners, or the Middle East where anything "oud" sells like hotcakes. If Versace pour Homme Oud Noir does go the way of the dodo, there likely won't be much to fuss about because there are so many better options for fans looking to taste westernized oud, in addition to the many affordable oud fragrances from UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Just give some Montale ouds a whirl and don't look back. Thumbs up

I don’t know why others keep sayings it’s discontinued. I have 2022 bottles, one of them a tester. That’s means somewhere in the world Oud Noir is available on shelves with tester bottles.

It doesn’t last long on many people, but it does on me. The saffron and OUD mix quite well. Don’t expect strong projection, people will smell you for sure that you know. It’s a complement getter big time but not outdoors or in big crowds,

This is good for going camping with friends, quick coffee or dinner, safe date night if you’re a gay guy, str8 guys need something stronger. It’s not a safe blind buy, but it smells nice.

A Versace Rep told me it’s mostly sold and popular outside the states and only a select few American dealers have it. Dreamer is also not discontinued, I have 2022 bottles of that too. I saw it at Macys downtown Chicago 3 months ago, they have it on their website for heavens sake. It runs at $155 retail price from Macy’s as of this writing, they’re shipping 2021-2022 bottles.

People said Versace crystal noir was discontinhed, EDP. It’s NOT. New packaging, only sold in Europe and not the states anymore. We are entering an era to where we need to import fragrances that are not sold here.

Just because something isn’t sold in your country does it mean it’s discontinued.

The fragrance is a great alternative to Tom Ford's Oud Wood with a surprisingly affordable price point. It's a shame that it's been discontinued, but if you can still find it at a reasonable cost, it's worth trying out. The similarity to Oud Wood makes one wonder how Tom Ford justifies the high price of their fragrance. While it's a good scent, paying a premium for a discontinued fragrance may not be worth it.

Versace pour Homme Oud Noir is a favorite of mine. If you find a bottle available at any sort of reasonable price I would recommend it.

Spicy, slightly oudy(very synthetic but pleasant) with some leathery and woody notes. At a more designer price point it is a great 'training wheels oud' for those wanting to smell that type of scent without jumping into deeper waters of niche prices and more natural and animalic/dirty ouds that can be more challenging.

The black bottle is a beauty and Oud Noir's high ratings here on Basenotes are well deserved. . I recommend this highly with a Thumbs up for sure and a well recommended entry oud.

100 wear folllow up: dark, peppery, woods with a compelling oud profile. I find it a bit deep and rich for office wear and overspraying is a regrettable action. Still a huge thumbs up. Recommended.

100 wear update: I have oversprayed this. Don't do that. Otherwise what a great 'first oud'.

I'm a woman sampling fragrances marketed to men because I really dislike the current sugar candy stuff out there these days. Homme Oud Noir is a good one for the Unisex title. It dries down to a thin skin scent very fast on me, but what I do get is a great warm resin, and peppery wood with just a bite of green galbanum. There's also a licorice aspect that I'm really liking. Good autumn scent, as others have said. I wish it was just a bit stronger for a little bit longer, and I'm not one who wants my scent to extend beyond range of my body heat. It's weak. But it sure is nice.