Sultan Noir by Pascal Morabito

Apple, cinnamon, and incense? Where? On my skin, this smells like lemon, something mentholated, strong, and unpleasant, similar to Reflex. Nothing like the reviews, and I can’t find a trace of any of the listed notes. I like powerful perfumes, but this isn’t one; it just smells bad.

Summer isn’t the best time for Sultan Noir, but it’s perfect for grabbing deals. It’s clearly a winter scent and a safe, affordable bet for oud lovers. Those who know music will recognize the smell of violin rosin; Sultan Noir reminds me of that sweet tree resin. At first, it smells like an apple pie, but then it shifts to a resinous log dripping with sap and incense. I keep it for personal enjoyment, sniffing and storing it, as it makes me melancholic. Others might find it warm, but to me, it’s lugubrious and somber. It transports me to decadent places: Soviet conservatories, Sherlock Holmes’s study with an abandoned pipe, or the coffin of some horror star. It’s my thing, a cross of memories. Objectively, it’s exquisite. Declared unisex, it feels more beautiful as a masculine fragrance, enhancing a man’s mystery.

Smoky, woody, spicy, and warm. The note that stands out the most is cinnamon. The incense is also prominent, giving a dark touch, but not liturgical. I don’t perceive leather; instead, I sense an amber that adds warmth and dark sweetness. The woods are in the background, eclipsed by the cinnamon. It’s not for me; I’m not a fan of cinnamon in perfumes, and it becomes overwhelming. It’s like smelling a freshly baked smoked apple and cinnamon tart.

Great oriental perfume at an incredible price. From the start, it’s super smoky with a warmth reminiscent of Oajan by Marly. This budget jewel hides a spicy, warm, and smoky juice with a subtle sweetness. At first, incense, cinnamon, and apple stand out. After 20 minutes, leather appears, balanced and not aggressive, which I find amazing. As it dries down, amber sweetens the final phase. I don’t detect oud. It feels elegant and nocturnal, though versatile enough for daytime wear. Good sillage and 10-hour longevity on skin, even longer on clothes. Ideal for oriental lovers in autumn and winter. Totally unisex. I absolutely love it. Scent 9/10, Longevity 8.5/10, Sillage 8/10, Value 10/10, Versatility 7/10, Packaging 7.5/10. Would I buy again? Yes, without a doubt.

First review on Fragrantica; I usually don’t like writing reviews, I prefer reading, but this unknown and recent perfume deserves it. It’s basically an oriental with great longevity (7-8 hours moving around, over 10 hours on skin). It has sillage, trailing along the arm, noticeable but not room-filling. Performance is excellent. I detect incense, apple, cinnamon, and woods. It’s autumnal and wintery, serious and elegant, yet pleasant and cozy. Exceptional quality for the price. If you’re looking for a serious and elegant oriental (for 25 years and up, though that’s relative; I wore Chanel No. 5 at 21), I totally recommend it.