Silver Black / Onyx (2005)
by Azzaro

I don't think I'm going to keep this one. There's nothing charming about it. 'Forgettable' is an accurate description.

Grigioperla and Gillette Cool Wave somehow reminds me of this one, but Onyx doesn't hold a candle to either one.

31st March, 2011. (Last Edited: 1st April, 2011.)

Hmm... not really a fougère (no coumarin) and not really a chypre (too much lavender), this is a strange beast. But strange, for me at least, is not always bad. The herbal spiciness in the middle notes and the woody oriental feel in the base notes makes this an interesting play on contrasts. Having said that, I think the balance among all the elements is what makes it work. It wants to say "aromatic fougère," but then it stops and contradicts itself, and says instead, "I'm my own animal." Frankly, this isn't something I wear a lot, but when I tire of fragrances that more or less play by the classical rules, I may turn to this with solid confidence that at least I'll smell good.

17th March, 2011.

Bucking all masculine fragrance trends existing since the 90s, Onyx is an aromatic fougere with real balls. This truly smells like a fragrance "Pour Homme". It also is a fitting tribute to Azzaro Pour Homme in this respect, even though it lacks the warmth of that classic. Onyx smells strong and hard, like solid steel, and it smells cold.

Onyx is very dry, dark and aromatic, sharing a lot of traits with YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme. It hits you with strong lavender and dark spices like pepper and cardamom right out of the gate. Aromatics like oakmoss, leather and patchouli add darkness to this scent.

The drydown is my favorite stage. It is where you can smell how Onyx is a classical fougere at its core. The drydown is where you can smell coumarin and oakmoss providing a very dry, clean and powdery fougere base, which is reminiscent of the most classical fougere of all - G.F. Trumper's Wild Fern. Onyx really is a barbershop scent masquerading as a modern fragrance.

Though this is not really a Powerhouse fragrance, power fans should have no hesitation in trying this one. It has excellent projection and is long lasting. Plus, there is nothing at all wimpy or androgynous at all about Onyx. It is a man among boys in the world of modern masculine fragrances.

MY RATING: 8/10

14th October, 2010.

It is one of my top five EDTs. It is just incredible, masculine, strong, impressive, charismatic. All women around me said they LOVED it!

30th July, 2010.

Fresh spicy fougere that reminds to me a sort of less watery kind of Drakkar Noir, although better equipped and much more solid. Nice scent for spare time out in summer evenings of North-East Europe (a past experience of mine in the Baltic area few years ago). The fruity starting is the prelude to a spicy very aromatic, a bit balsamic, heart (coriander, cardamom, caraway, juniper) which slides in to a woody musky base. Unfortunately not so distinctive and unique, this is not the kind of scent particularly beloved by women.

17th July, 2010. (Last Edited: 13rd March, 2011.)

A run-of-the-mill fresh fougère that's briefly enlivened by an interesting, but transient, caraway middle note. Otherwise forgettable.

12nd February, 2010.