Black Orchid

Black Orchid, inspired by Tom Ford Black Orchid (2006)

Black Orchid begins with an earthy, slightly savoury truffle note set against ylang ylang, while bergamot and bitter orange feel shadowed from the start. The heart goes darker still: black plum soaked in rum absolute around a black orchid accord, a constructed floral rather than the smell of a real orchid. Patchouli and vanilla make the finish rich and enveloping.

About the original

Released in 2006, Black Orchid was the first fragrance under Tom Ford's own name and was developed with the fragrance house Givaudan; it is usually credited to David Apel and Pierre Negrin. Its advertising leaned towards women, but it has long been worn by men too, and Tom Ford's own site now lists it without a gender. The line has since grown to include several other editions, among them Black Orchid Reserve. This page follows the original Eau de Parfum.

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

It rewards a taste for dark, earthy florals with some strangeness to them. The truffle note is the part that divides opinion, and the patchouli and vanilla base is dense. Anyone after a fresh or delicate floral should look elsewhere.

Related scents

• Tom Ford Velvet Orchid
• Tom Ford Black Orchid Oud

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

Top notes: Black Truffle, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Bitter Orange

Heart notes: Black Orchid Accord, Black Plum, Rum Absolute

Base notes: Patchouli, Vanilla

Truffle and ylang ylang come first, earthy and heady, with bergamot and bitter orange giving a shaded citrus lift.

Black plum and rum absolute wrap around the black orchid accord, dark and slightly boozy.

Patchouli and vanilla carry the drydown, woody and sweet.

Is Black Orchid for women or for men?

It was launched in 2006 with advertising that hinted at women, but it is widely worn by both, and Tom Ford now lists it without a gender.

Which Black Orchid is this based on?

Our eau de parfum takes the original 2006 Black Orchid Eau de Parfum as its reference. The Eau de Toilette, Parfum and Reserve versions are separate editions.

Does it really smell of truffle?

Black truffle is one of the official top notes and gives the opening an earthy, slightly savoury tone.

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 Orchid and Tom Ford are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Parfumour is not affiliated with, associated with, or endorsed by Tom Ford. 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.