Sahara Noir

Sahara Noir, inspired by Tom Ford Sahara Noir (2013)

Tom Ford described Sahara Noir as frankincense wrapped in 'gold and honey-coloured light', and that is a fair summary of how it smells. Bitter orange, cypress and calamus, a rooty, slightly spicy marsh plant, light the incense from the edges at first. Beeswax and cinnamon then give it a honeyed, spiced glow. Rose and jasmine are present but kept in the shadows.

About the original

Sahara Noir was added to the Signature line in March 2013, launching first in the Middle East and reaching other markets by May. Middle Eastern incense traditions were its starting point, and it came in a 50 ml bottle. Tom Ford no longer lists it, and owners have reported it discontinued, one claiming the last batches were made around 2022. A rumoured re-release mentioned by one owner in 2024 has not been confirmed.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Although usually listed for women, it is often worn as unisex. It stays smoky and resinous throughout, so it may feel too dense to someone who likes incense cool and airy.

Related scents

• Tom Ford Shanghai Lily
• Tom Ford Oud Fleur
• Tom Ford Noir Anthracite

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Bitter Orange, Cypress, Calamus, Labdanum

Heart notes: Frankincense, Beeswax, Cinnamon, Papyrus, Rose, Jasmine

Base notes: Peru Balsam, Amber, Labdanum, Benzoin, Agarwood, Cedar, Vanilla

Bitter orange and cypress flicker briefly over calamus and labdanum before the frankincense takes hold.

In the heart, frankincense meets papyrus, a dry reed note, with beeswax adding a honeyed texture.

Labdanum and benzoin join Peru balsam and vanilla in a dark, sticky amber base, with agarwood and cedar keeping it from turning sugary.

Is Sahara Noir discontinued?

Tom Ford no longer lists it, and owners have reported it as discontinued, with one saying production ended around 2022. Talk of a re-release remains unconfirmed.

Is Sahara Noir for men or women?

It is usually listed for women, but many wearers treat it as unisex. Rose and jasmine stay in the background, so the overall effect is incense and amber rather than floral.

Is Sahara Noir smoky?

Yes. Frankincense and papyrus give it a smoky, resinous character, rounded by beeswax and vanilla.

Is Tom Ford Sahara Noir coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Tom Ford 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.

Tom Ford and Sahara Noir are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Tom Ford in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.