Angelique Noire

Angelique Noire, inspired by Guerlain L'Art & La Matière Angélique Noire (2005)

Angelica, a herb whose seeds and roots smell green, bitter and slightly musky, opens Angélique Noire with real intensity. Pink pepper adds a rosy spice. Over time the bitterness gives way to vanilla, which grows richer and more candied until the scent feels almost like custard. Cedar keeps a woody line underneath.

About the original

Angélique Noire joined Guerlain's L'Art & La Matière collection in 2005; this is the house's exclusive line, separate from its main fragrances. Daniela Andrier is usually credited as its perfumer, and Guerlain's current page quotes its perfume creation director Delphine Jelk. Guerlain describes it as a pas de deux between bittersweet angelica and vanilla. It is sold as an eau de parfum in 50, 100 and 200 ml personalisable bottles.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Its sweetness is the deciding factor: one detailed review found the drydown very sweet, ending as spiced sugar. Lovers of Guerlain's vanillas will find it fits alongside Spiritueuse Double Vanille and Tonka Impériale. Expect a first stage that is quite green and bitter.

Related scents

• Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille
• Guerlain Tonka Imperiale
• Guerlain Tobacco Honey

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

Notes: Angelica Seed, Angelica Root, Vanilla, Pink Pepper, Cedar

Angelica seed starts things off, green and bitter, lifted by pink pepper.

Vanilla then moves in and the angelica root adds an earthy, musky depth beneath it.

The drydown is vanilla and cedar, sweet, candied and lightly woody.

What does angelica smell like?

Green, bitter and slightly musky, a little like celery seed with an earthy root. In Angélique Noire it contrasts with the vanilla.

Is Angélique Noire very sweet?

It starts bitter and green, but the vanilla grows sweeter as it dries down, finishing candied and custard-like.

How does it compare with Spiritueuse Double Vanille?

Both are vanilla-centred scents from the same Guerlain collection. What sets Angélique Noire apart is the contrast between green, bitter angelica and vanilla.

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.

Guerlain and L'Art & La Matière Angélique Noire are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Guerlain 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.