Angelique Noire (2005)
by Guerlain

This one reminds me a lot of Dior Addict. Angelique Noir doesn`t have your usual powdery, smoky, creamy vanilla signature of the house, but more of the milky, sugared one that you find in Addict matched with a powerful amber and an intense white flowery accord. Here the Angelique note gives a less intense floral aroma, that seems closer to a sweeter orchid sometimes. The floral part also has a powdery nuance, that gets lost here on the oriental vanilla main theme. There is a salty, peppery touch that is more or less evident during the evolution on skin. It`s one of my least favorites from this line, a luxury scent in a kind of faceless way.

4th July, 2011.

I can usually wax poetic about the art and material line, but not with this one. It all comes down to Angelica, which I'm realizing is not a scent that suits me. I always feel like Brer Rabbit caught in the briar patch with this note, and in this fragrance, which is so high quality, I can't escape fast enough.

The dry-down was more enjoyable, as it mellowed out a bit and became more earthy.
But with this line, I've found, you have to like every single note in order to appreciate the final composition, because Guerlain spares no expense in ingredients.

31st March, 2010.

I want nearly everything from this line and this is no exception.... the combo of light citrus, angelica and vanilla/tonka/heliotrope is to die for. It's soft on the skin but not without sillage, and just because the sillage isn't outrageous doesn't mean it doesn't last a long time on the skin. I don't think I could ever get tired of this preciously delicate Guerlain almost-gourmands. One day I'll have bottle of this, Bois d'Armenie, and Cuir Beluga all lined up next to each other. I hope.

12nd December, 2008.

I found this one really surprising. When I first sprayed it on it seemed very green and slightly unpleasant to me, and my first impression was that I would not like it at all. But the greenness very quickly subsided, and, the first surprise, I began to realise that I did like it - in fact I liked it a lot. I have no idea what angelica smells like, and would find it difficult to describe this fragrance. It retains a slightly green note in the background and is very gentle - no sharpness or flowers or fruitiness to my nose, but an refined, expertly blended whole. I am surprised that it is classed as a feminine fragrance because I can't say it strikes me as being in any way feminine or masculine. I would say it was completely neutral, and would be appropriate for any relatively mature, dignified person.

I assumed that because the fragrance was so gentle it would not last, but the next surprise was that it lingers for hours! It is never loud or obtrusive, never likely to annoy or overpower, it just maintains a subtle, but very definite, presence. If you want a perfume that announces your arrival or makes a big statement, this will not be what you are looking for, but if you want a subtle, refined fragrance which you are gently aware of, and seems to become almost part of you, this one is definitely worth a try. I just wish it was easier to obtain. A credit to Guerlain.

28th November, 2008.

Did I get a bad sample? The name, description, reviews, were so promising and Guerlain is--Guerlain. What's not to like? There are so many wonderful scents out there using vanilla (which, admittedly, I prefer in subtle doses), that this one seems bland by comparison. I don't get any complexity here. This one smells like vanilla extract, and a very sweet vanilla extract to boot. I have to be careful not to leave it in the kitchen or I might bake cookies with it by mistake. If you love vanilla, give it a try.

27th October, 2008.

VERY FINE! The previous reviewers in this forum have my complete agreement! Angelique Noire is heavenly, I even detect traces of it 12 hours after application. Also, not listed but I swear it's in there...just a touch of tonka, more noteably at the very end of AN's lifespan. Love the balance here, between the bright bergamot/powdery sweet angelica/deep vanilla-tonka notes Fresh, sexy, mouthwateringly sweet. It is 'MY GUERLAIN', I adore it!

19th October, 2008. (Last Edited: 17th June, 2009.)