Reviews of Pomegranate Noir (2005)
by Jo Malone

This is a beautiful fragrance - dark and fruity - its good for mixing with non complex - I like it with Armand Basi Hiomme and with Taylor's of Bond St Sandalwood Cologne. The dry down is nice on this and it lingers in the background.

I vaguely remembered that in Greek mythology, poor Persephone had something to do with pomegranates. But did you know that in Exodus the High Priest had images of pomegranetes woven into his robe? That Leonardo and Boticelli featured pomegranates in their Madona and Infant paintings? That the Qu'ran mentions pomegranates will be in Paradise? Or that some Hebrew scholars speculate that the pomegranate was the forbidden fruit in The Garden of Eden?

No? It's ok, neither did I. I looked it up in Wikipedia . . .

Be forewarned though, according to the same:

"The pomegranate also evoked the presence of the Aegean Triple Goddess who evolved into the Olympian Hera, who is sometimes represented offering the pomegranate. "

So reviewers, myself included, better watch what we say---one diety you do NOT want to piss off is The Triple Moon Goddess.

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All this tells me that pomegranates have a long history, have been considered "holy" and-- I'd give you 3 to one odds--they've been incorporated into fragrances for thousands of years.

How does Jo's offering stack up?

The same lesbian film director who had such unkind things to say about MKK dropped by yesterday and commented that it was the best frag she's ever smelled on me.

I told her it was a unisex frag, did she not find it somewhat feminine?

Her rant ( Perhaps inspired by The Triple Moon Goddess?) was, as best I can remember:

" Are you f****** nuts? It's masculine as all get out. I wouldn't wear it, and I'm a dyke. Listen up: It's not sexy, so don't use it to pick up women. Use it for business! It tells everyone that you're confident! Get it? It tells them you're important! It's sophisticated. Yeah, that's the word. Get it? Sophisticated. "

I politely thanked her (How do they find me?) and told her that, yes I "got it."

Well, it's Vintage Tab for me, but if ever were to play the role of an aristocratic Samurai, this one would be perfect.

I quote from Wiki again on the word Shibumi:

:" Originating in the Muromachi period (1333-1568) as shibushi, the term originally referred to a sour or astringent taste, such as that of an unripe persimmon. Shibui maintains that literal meaning still, and remains the antonym of amai (甘い, amai?), meaning 'sweet'. "

Evidently it became the antonym of gaudy or common as well. The Japanese aristocracy felt that only one of their own could appreciate this kind of scent---as anyone who has smelled Kyara incense can attest.

I'll add 2 more cents, Longevity is very good. I could still smell it on my skin 9 hours later. This is a 'morphing' scent rather than linear, but throughout its development, it stays faithfull to thye shibumi theme; unlike, for example, John Varvatos which is smoothly rounded, this one keeps that bitter aristocratic feel.

I disagree that women cannot wear this one. The Bride in Kill Bill immediately comes to mind.

Domo Arigato!

M.

at the beginning, this smells exactly like cheap little cinnamon red hot candies. and I love it!

Pepper and fruit - is it the mutant offspring of Piper Nigrum and Millesime Imperial? No, not with that transparent incense and dark leather drydown. No mentholated cold remedy here for me; just a series of novel accords that keep me guessing right the way through.

I have to agree with Qaurry: this ranks with Cuir d'Oranger as one of the most pleasant frangrance surprises I've had in quite some time. Unisex in my opinion, and though it's not long lasting (4 hours tops) it is surprisingly potent for a cologne strength fragrance. I suppose I'll have to buy some in the fall...

...Six months later: my initial enjoyment of this scent has faded. I've come to find it overbearing and oppressive. While its novelty and quality are undeniable, I don't like the mood it puts me in.

Soothing plums guide frankincense and patchouli into a field of tangy pomegranate and blushing raspberries; who chime in with their own tartness and special zing. With exquisite depth, the pomegranate unravels to feature a myriad of scents; each reminiscent of something great. Dark cherry and cinnamon with dried leaves and sweet scarlet roses and a dash of honey-sweetness are just two of the multitude of creations that this wonderful fragrance can induce visions of. The pomegranate notes become apparent as fighters; as the scent settles on your skin and dries down, the pomegranate still lives and remains the top note. However, that doesn't mean that it dominates the scent and disallows a proper development; rather, the pomegranate allows a generous amount of woods to bleed through, while whoring the bitter notes. There is not much sweetness here, even with the influence of frankincense and raspberries. Rather than sweetening the scent as a whole, they serve to bite out the severe bitterness that such a strong pomegranate carries. Even with the presence of patchouli, containing this particular note of pomegranate is hard, but very well done -- the result is something that's shy of being bitter, but not bland. The fact that pomegranate is showcased here could have resulted in the scent being very linear and bland, but the design and structure of this scent is so well-done and rugged, that there is no room to think that it is merely pomegranate.

The drydown is, by far, the most unbelievable of any fragrance I have ever smelled. In fact, I wore this scent four different times in one day just to relive that experience. The pomegranate dies out, and patchouli, frankincense, and a touch of raspberry are left to work wonders on your nose. I almost sense some transparent rose notes; that may just be the earthy patchouli feeding the raspberry and playing even more tricks on my nose though. Regardless of what it is, the beauty of this lies in the fact that it can be so much to your nose... no two drydowns will be the same. I understand, though, that Pomegranate Noir is not everyone's cup of t-- err, bottle of fragrance, so therefore I will leave you with a metaphor: Pomegranate Noir is the ugliest girl in the world, with the most beautiful personality. You pick your poison. No scent is perfect, and few are daring and bold as this one is. A manly composition of pomegranate and sweet fruits is done justice by Jo Malone.

Overall rating: 10/10: Yet another high-quality composition we see here; the originality and the amount of effort put into this fragrance is superior to damn near every scent I have smelled.

I like this by itself but layer it with a tuberose or gardenia and it becomes even better. This lasts nicely all day on me.

No camphor here.

Top notes : Pomegranate, Pink Pepper, Raspberry

Middle notes : Plum, opopanax, frankincense

Base notes : Patchouli, Musk, Spicy Woods

The inspiration for Pomegranate Noir (PN) came to Jo Malone after she saw one of her friends dressed up in a red silk dress at a middle eastern hookah party all the while stuffing dollar bills in her cleavage. I have enjoyed the simple uncluttered soliflores of the Jo Malone line so the "Noir/Dark" label of this fragrance made me wonder if Malone was going all Lutens on us.

I shouldn't have worried. PN opens with a perplexing accord. Its sweet, lush and minty....and for a moment, does smell like Vicks vaporub except that there's a plummy fruity aroma enveloping this "vicks" accord. I am intrigued by how this minty fresh smell is engineered .. I don't see cloves listed in the notes pyramid, so the only explanation I can come up with is that PN is probably employing a variety of frankincense that is higher in its camphor (moth ball smell) content than the other constituents. Interms of fruitiness, this primary accord has all the hallmarks of a prune...it can be enjoyable and fun as well as occasionally grating and temperamental. While the incense does its camphor like thing, the distinctive sour and sweet smell of pomegranates is neutered by plenty of sweet raspberry and plum notes. PN loses much of its midnight vaporub funkiness after half and hour or so, and lets a timid patchouli note and some non-descript spicy woods base lead it to its quiet but not-so dark conclusion. The longevity is good..around 7 hours.

I admit I expected more "Noir" facets from this scent but knowing Malone's style I wasn't expecting a Jules or Vintage Tabarome. It says "Black Pomegranate" on the label after all, and that could mean "Over-ripe Pomegranates" for all I know. I would have liked more patchouli and spices, and less raspberry and plums in this concoction. Its more complex than other Malone's like Grapefruit and Amber Lavender but is also, strangely, less interesting. With that said, during the dog days of winter and nostril scraping flu attacks, I would still like to spray a spritz or two of PN on my chest before going to bed....I hear it attracts fairies in red silk dresses.

Rating: 7/10

Wow, this is one of the more unique fragrance experiences I've had in awhile. I think everyone's comments so far have been valid. Depending on what you're thinking when you smell it, it can smell like Vicks, fruit, cloves, pepper, patchouli or frankincense. However, it does not smell overdone; despite its many opposing characteristics, it strikes me as rather minimalist and dry. I must admit that I was slightly put off by the (it's true) harsh opening. I thought of a minty and smoky version of L'Anarchiste, and I smelled a strong clove note. But where L'Anarchiste puts me off, this intrigues me. It doesn't have the same sickly aura about it. The drydown focuses more on the frankincense and patchouli, while the fruit peeks from the background. This is a wonderful, wonderful drydown. I'll have to sample it a few more times to make up my mind, but there is a very good chance this is bottle worthy for me.

Lovely frag. Very mysterious and includes my favourite notes, patchouli and frankincense. The pomegranate fruitiness gives it an overall 'burgundy' feel to it, and a much lighter effect that patchouli in its purer form. Very vampish and sexy. A winter fragrance that would be great for a special Xmas party.Instead of little black dress, maybe little red dress would be more suitable?

this fragrance is seduction in a bottle. there's something about the frankincense that seems to hail from a far-away land of forbidden pleasures, but that somehow also remains pure, the offering to the Christ at the manger..... the pomegranate fruitiness remains warm, edible, hypnotizing. this is a warm sensuality perfect for a cold winter night in which you want your beloved (male or female) to melt into you.....

If fragrances were brassieres, Ginestet Le Boisé would be a 34B, and Pomegranate Noir would be a 42D. Finally, a break-through scent with a personality. It's been months since my nose has been surprised like this. Husband says he smells furniture polish. Okay, dear, make that royal furniture polish used on a rich Frenchwoman's Louis XVI vanity.

I love this fragrance, but what others are describing sounds different from what I experienced. I got an immediate opening whiff of smoky but transparent ruby fruit, quite sensual and piquant. It went on to fulfill my expectations, which I was afraid it would not be able to do, so sultry but light was the opening. This is one Jo Malone fragrance that has staying power, thank goodness, as few of her others do on me. It manages to pull together transparency and darkness in an amazing experience on my skin. If you are a chypre or leather lover like me, be sure to give this one a try.

I definitely adore this fragrance. It starts with something sharp and peppery and then becomes very fruity and nice. It smell very much like cherry to me. Very pretty and not floral at all

Reminds me of cedar chips in hamster cage when I was small. Strange that it would be such an enticing smell now? I will try to get fragrance challenged fiance to try this...so innocent and unexpectedly erotic.

Long lasting...Sweet and woody...it reminds me of Sequoia...maybe a wee bit more sweetness/fruitiness to it....Very nice

I love this - it's got a fruity sourness alongside an incensy quality that's clean rather than suffocating. It reminds me of something familiar from childhood that I can't pin down - it might be to do with a slight sherbertty accord. It also (hurrah!) lasts.