Black Jeans (1997)
by Versace

Great smells in this from top to bottom. Black Jeans opens with a sharp aromatic crack, and a slight medicinal hint of nutmeg and/or clove gives it a gaseous undercurrent. I don't get tar or gasoline, but I can see how this combination of notes hints at something industrial.

As the opening fades, Black Jeans quickly morphs into an extremely smooth and unique tobacco-laden leathery fougere phase. The comparisons to Rive Gauche are somewhat apt - there is a definite patchouli presence here - but Black Jeans has an opening that's a little more "out there" and sharp, and the base pushes the "fougere" boundary a bit by veering toward leather/tobacco territory.

This description may make Black Jeans sound rough, manly, and heavy, but it really is very modern and sleek for such weighty notes. This is a truly impressive piece of perfumery.

My only complaint with Black Jeans is in the sillage/longevity department. Sillage is moderate in the opening and low in the heart/base. It's hardly noticeable after 5 hours or so, after a liberal chest application. I will probably purchase it anyway, simply because it is such an enjoyable, versatile and impressive scent.

2nd September, 2011.

Black Jeans opens with an ambient fiz. What I like about this one is the bitterness it has. Almost like birch ta, which I think is the geranium . It reminds me of how creosote smells on a hot day. Its fresh, slightly bitter, and tarry. Thumbs up

6th August, 2011.

Hahahahaha!
I hope you like bitter/dry GERANIUMS!
It lasts long, and smells different than anything else.
Good for a wear on a cool, overcast day.

24th April, 2011.

This is a great Black fragrance and the best out of the Jeans line. Sillage is moderate and longevity is average. The opening has a tad bit of sweetness and the dry down is a black ink. Like the patchouli and it's a very good and for myself versatile fragrance. Nice.

31st March, 2011.

A surprise, a dark, sparkling, watery and spicy accord of tobacco-patchouli supported by vetiver, slightly floral and fruity, with a dry down that tends to become smoother without anyway sliding towards the creamy territories. The fragrance, in spite of its final increasing smoothness, holds on indeed an hint of roughness and a fresh, almost metallic beat.  I detect the similarities with Or Black by Pascal Morabito which is more woodsy, distinct and less smooth in my perception. The right dosage of lavender amalgamates the elements linking the juice to the tradition. Black Jeans is dark in a fresh way and is very versatile. The top notes are a bit dissonant for a while and tarry with an aromatic (Juniper and rosemary), slightly flowery impact. The fresh, bold link of patchouli-tobacco with nuances of orange and spices is the soul of the fragrance. The presence of ginger and vetiver in the heart impresses a fizzy and rooty masculinity with the prickly undertone  of nutmeg and may be cinnamon. The dry down is woody and musky but doesn't loose the fresh, masculine temperament. It's like a dark forest but the scent expresses a touch of modern sophistication. I really appreciate this fragrance cause is casual, sportive and distinctive at once, bracing and bold for sure. It invigorates at morning but is a more than decent evening, dark solution. The longevity is good while the sillage is powerful on me.

22nd March, 2011.

Maybe my loss, and maybe because I'm not a formal guy (this is said to be worn with tuxedo and such). In any case, Black Jeans smells nearly identical to the scent of Palmolive dish liquid. It smells like black ink poured over cooked cabbage. As intriguing as that may be, it doesn't smell good to my nose.

13rd February, 2011.