Amouage Interlude Black Iris released in 2020, created by perfumer Pierre Negrin. Spiced woods and, well, complicated. It has a 25% fragrance oil. This is technically listed as for men, but this is a fragrance that can be worn by anyone. Complex, a little tangled, but not muddled, and completely unique and memorable. Notes of bergamot, rosemary, violet leaves, orris, amber, frankincense, cistus, myrrh, vanilla, leather, agarwood smoke, patchouli, sandalwood and cedarwood.
From Amouage notes - "The fragrance evokes an air of disorder while maintaining a sense of balance and tranquility through the inventive use of Orris, Frankincense and Myrrh. An orchestrated blend of technical skill and creative integrity, the fragrance takes one moment in time for self-reflection and personal discovery to compose internal harmony from external chaos.."
Fragrantica - "Interlude Black Iris keeps its forerunner’s smokey-sweet, resinous and sensuous amber character, but smoothes out the formula with a velvet iris accord. Vanilla also plays a central role in this complex composition, creating an even more enticing experience. If you craved the original Interlude’s aura of hazy comfort, then you’ll find yourself enamored and getting lost in the novel notes here. That oasis of greenery in this one’s predecessor is toned down. While the oregano is still recognizable, it now presents like a previously untamable, old friend who has mellowed a bit with age. The dry-down is still silky-smooth with sandalwood ascending from the base and the leather, as in the original, still keeps things bold. Black Iris is spellbinding. The new notes add an almost carnal edge to an already legendary scent profile."
Colognoisseur - "Interlude Man Black Iris opens with the same herbal green top accord as rosemary replaces oregano and pimento. It moves into the classic incense and amber heart which is where the iris appears. It is a nice addition to this resinous heart. It is the promised “black iris” so many perfumes promise but fail to deliver. It ends in the same oud and sandalwood base as before with just a bit of vanilla amplifying the sweetness in sandalwood."
Basenotes - "A fantastic, powerful incense from Amouage, multi-faceted with many different dimensions and accords appearing throughout its development. Interlude's opening is marked by a strong oregano note. Aromatic and fragrantly sweet, it jumps off the skin and makes itself known immediately. Meanwhile, resinous schemes and hazy incense swirls begin to brew beneath the surface. There's Interlude's dark side--a smoky concoction of ashen gray wisps over natural, resonant oud. Dusty and deep, with an intricate, labyrinthian sense of connection, Interlude's incense and resins blend in an harmonious, complex whole. It's the kind of scent you can get lost in. Following its various patterns and trails in your mind's eye, there's a meditative aspect to it, something which captures the imagination if you should let it, and in this regard it's extremely engaging."
