Tom Ford Black Lacquer was originally released in 2024 as part of the Private Blend line of fragrances. Taking inspiration from '70s minimalism, it marries luxury, vinyl and haute couture. Notes of ink, vinyl, rum, black pepper, ebony wood, peony, elemi, apricot and olibanum.
From the brand - "This fragrance opens with a top note of Indian ink, bringing a refined elegance. At its heart, Makassar ebony wood reveals an intense woody richness, sensual and enveloping. Base notes of frankincense add a touch of precious resin, creating a refined, lingering warmth. A fragrance as bewitching as the night itself, and as bright as the stars. Inspired by the minimalism of the 70s, this fragrance embodies the ultimate luxury and sophistication of vinyl and haute couture."
Fragrantica - "This is very interesting. I wasn’t sure what to expect based on the notes, vinyl, ink, etc. But I get mainly 2 notes: pepper and incense. In the opening it’s a very sparkly pepper, almost like it’s fizzy…not sure how else to describe it. That fizziness goes away after a few minutes, and then it’s the pepper and start to get some incense. As it gets further along the incense starts to become stronger and replaces the pepper, which becomes just a hint in the background. This incense is different than other fragrances with the olibanum note. Maybe it’s from the other notes Tom Ford mentions (the ebony wood?), but it’s definitely different. I’m sitting here trying to think of the best way to describe it, what about it is giving me a nostalgic feeling, and it suddenly hit me: I was born and raised Catholic, and this smells like the incense they use at church. Where they light it and swing the metal thing (the thurible?). It is suspended from chains and is swung by the priest to spread the fragrant smoke of the incense. This smells like that! If you know what I’m talking about, then you know what Black Lacquer smells like. Personally, I love it, no blind-buyer remorse here!"
Fragrantica - "Fortunately BL is really interesting, quite refreshing and very long lasting. Extremely masculine, not Smokey as in church incense, but more in a woody way. The ink and vinyl touches are extremely interesting and the peony and apricot make it a bit sweet and fresh. Overall a winner."
Fragrantica - "this really is the most compelling of the past couple of years of TF launches. It's interesting, dynamic, challenging, etc. Having tried it out more thoroughly today, I stand by my previous comments but will add that the vinyl note does linger longer than I had previously thought. This one will be polarising, i'd imagine, but no one can call it boring!"
Fragrantica - "Absolutely gorgeous!!! This is what I expected Ebene Fume to smell like, before I smelled it. Dark, woody, smoky, a bit of pencil. It reminds me of Tobacco Oud, but a more tamed down version. I will be getting this"
