L'Artisan Parfumeur Noir Exquis: reviews, fragrance notes (the coffee-maple gourmand)
Steaming coffee, maple syrup and candied chestnuts: Noir Exquis is a warm gourmand that smells like winter mornings. Since its launch in 2015, this fragrance has established itself as one of the most comforting gourmands in niche perfumery. In this comprehensive review, we break down its olfactory notes, longevity, the ideal occasions to wear it and fragrances similar to it.
The house and the inspiration
Founded in France in 1976, L'Artisan Parfumeur was one of the pioneers of niche perfumery in France. True to its attention to detail, it entrusted Noir Exquis to Bertrand Duchaufour, one of the most respected noses of his generation. The perfumer created an oriental vanilla fragrance built around a simple, gourmand idea: a winter breakfast, with hot coffee, maple syrup and candied chestnuts. The result is an enveloping fragrance that is both sweet and refined, never veering into excess.
Olfactory notes
Top notes
chestnut and orange
Heart notes
maple syrup, coffee and orange blossom
Base notes
vanilla, ebony, tonka bean, sandalwood and heliotrope
Longevity and sillage
Noir Exquis offers very good longevity, lasting seven to eight hours on the skin and even longer on clothing. Its sillage is moderate to generous during the first few hours, then the fragrance settles closer to the body to become an intimate cocoon. It is a fragrance that makes its presence known without overpowering a room: ideal for those seeking presence while remaining elegant.
Who is it for, and for which season?
A unisex fragrance designed for autumn and winter. It excels as a comforting cocoon on cold days and will appeal to lovers of gourmand yet refined notes. It is ideal for evening wear, at a dinner or winter gathering, but also for daytime for those who like to wrap themselves in warmth. It is particularly suited to those who find classic gourmands too sweet and are looking for a woodier, more mature version.
If you like Noir Exquis, you will also love…
By Kilian Angels' Share
Lovers of warm gourmands will appreciate By Kilian Angels' Share and its cognac-praline accord, another holiday classic.
Xerjoff Naxos
For more woody gourmand inspiration, Xerjoff Naxos and its honey and tobacco notes offer a more sensual alternative.
MFK Grand Soir
If it is vanilla that appeals to you most, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir offers an amber and luminous version.
How to test it?
The best way to discover it is with a sample, worn on the skin for a full day before committing to a full-size bottle. Order the sample or browse the entire L'Artisan Parfumeur collection.
FAQs
Is Noir Exquis a unisex fragrance?
Yes, Noir Exquis is a unisex fragrance. Its gourmand notes of coffee and maple, set on a woody and vanilla base, appeal to both men and women.
What is the best season to wear Noir Exquis?
Autumn and winter are ideal: its warm gourmand character comes to life in cold weather, both evening and daytime.
How long does Noir Exquis last?
Yes, expect seven to eight hours of longevity on the skin and even longer on clothing, with a moderate to generous sillage.
