Black Opium Extreme

Black Opium Extreme, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum Extreme (2021)

Extreme keeps the Black Opium structure, coffee against white flowers on a vanilla base, and turns up the coffee and patchouli. Pear and mandarin make a short, fruity opening before orange blossom and jasmine bring a radiant floral contrast. The coffee accord is roasted and slightly bitter, cutting through the sweetness of the bourbon vanilla underneath, while patchouli gives the drydown an earthy depth.

About the original

YSL released Black Opium Extreme in 2021 as a more intense eau de parfum version of Black Opium (2014). YSL Australia credits the original Black Opium team: Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Olivier Cresp and Honorine Blanc. YSL presented it as a more intense Black Opium with an 'ultra-black' coffee note and more patchouli. It is no longer listed in YSL's Black Opium ranges in France, Germany, Italy, the UK or the US, and the Australian page shows it out of stock, although some retailers still carry it.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Yves Saint Laurent stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Fans of the original who wanted more coffee and a little less sugar are its natural audience. It remains a sweet vanilla gourmand at heart and is dense in texture, so it is no answer for those put off by coffee notes or sweetness.

Related scents

• YSL Black Opium
• YSL Black Opium Le Parfum
• YSL Black Opium Illicit Green

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Top notes: Pear, Mandarin

Heart notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine

Base notes: Coffee, Bourbon Vanilla, Patchouli

Pear and mandarin open it briefly, fruity and bright.

Orange blossom and jasmine follow, a luminous floral layer set against the first wave of coffee.

Black coffee, bourbon vanilla and patchouli take over for a deep, bittersweet drydown.

How is Extreme different from regular Black Opium?

It has more coffee and patchouli, which make it deeper and a little less sugary than the original eau de parfum.

Is Black Opium Extreme discontinued?

It no longer appears in YSL's ranges in France, Germany, Italy, the UK or the US, and YSL Australia lists it as out of stock. We have not seen an official announcement.

Is it the same as Black Opium Le Parfum?

No. Le Parfum is a separate version of Black Opium, which we also offer.

Is Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Extreme coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Yves Saint Laurent that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Black Opium and Yves Saint Laurent are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Parfumour is not affiliated with, associated with, or endorsed by Yves Saint Laurent. Our fragrance is an independent interpretation inspired by the original, created to evoke a similar scent experience. All trademark names are used for descriptive and comparison purposes only.