Blackpepper, from Comme des Garcons was released in 2016. The perfumer behind this creation is unknown. The notes are Agarwood (Oud), Akigalawood, Cedarwood, Musk, Patchouli, Pepper, Tonka Bean.
Anyone who reads my reviews will be aware that I'm a massive fan of Comme des Garcons but I have been a little out of the loop fragrance wise recently, so this release had passed me by somewhat. I've acquired some samples now and I've got to say on measure I don't think it's very good. The opening is fantastic and has all the excitement I'd expect, not only from CdG but from a pepper focused scent. I love the idea of black pepper being the central attraction of a scent and really like Marc Jacobs Bang and Clive Christian V for example. Unfortunately my main gripe with this fragrance is that it suffers from the same lack luster performance and intensity issues as Bang does. Blackpepper opens well enough with an unmistakable and aromatic pepper note which is both sweet, hot, dry and then into a steaky, gourmand peppercorn sauce sort of vibe. What interests me is 'where does this scent go from here?' that is the question, knowing that pepper notes are fleeting in most other outings. This one actually goes into nice CdG territory and becomes oddly sweet, reminding me of something I can't quite place. It's complex and more like a pink pepper after 20 mins or so but with some elements and style from Amazingreen or Man 2 and that incense modernity which is always a theme CdG nod to in most of their creations. The tonka is hinted at and patchouli works well with the pepper promoting an earthy but almost creamy vibe. All this complexity does please and intrigue and I'm never one to be unfair to a fragrance about lack of performance but this one on my skin was a joke. I wish I could tell you what it was like after the first hour but the fact is Blackpepper had all but disappeared. I wanted to love it so much and it does have some merit, all comme des Garcon scents please you right out of the gate but then after a few wears in hindsight, become one trick ponies. This ran the whole series of emotions in double quick time and now I'm at the last stage 'acceptance' of the fact this just isn't that great. I will wear the rest of my samples and maybe even do a revision of this review, perhaps it was my high expectations but there you go.
Anyone who reads my reviews will be aware that I'm a massive fan of Comme des Garcons but I have been a little out of the loop fragrance wise recently, so this release had passed me by somewhat. I've acquired some samples now and I've got to say on measure I don't think it's very good. The opening is fantastic and has all the excitement I'd expect, not only from CdG but from a pepper focused scent. I love the idea of black pepper being the central attraction of a scent and really like Marc Jacobs Bang and Clive Christian V for example. Unfortunately my main gripe with this fragrance is that it suffers from the same lack luster performance and intensity issues as Bang does. Blackpepper opens well enough with an unmistakable and aromatic pepper note which is both sweet, hot, dry and then into a steaky, gourmand peppercorn sauce sort of vibe. What interests me is 'where does this scent go from here?' that is the question, knowing that pepper notes are fleeting in most other outings. This one actually goes into nice CdG territory and becomes oddly sweet, reminding me of something I can't quite place. It's complex and more like a pink pepper after 20 mins or so but with some elements and style from Amazingreen or Man 2 and that incense modernity which is always a theme CdG nod to in most of their creations. The tonka is hinted at and patchouli works well with the pepper promoting an earthy but almost creamy vibe. All this complexity does please and intrigue and I'm never one to be unfair to a fragrance about lack of performance but this one on my skin was a joke. I wish I could tell you what it was like after the first hour but the fact is Blackpepper had all but disappeared. I wanted to love it so much and it does have some merit, all comme des Garcon scents please you right out of the gate but then after a few wears in hindsight, become one trick ponies. This ran the whole series of emotions in double quick time and now I'm at the last stage 'acceptance' of the fact this just isn't that great. I will wear the rest of my samples and maybe even do a revision of this review, perhaps it was my high expectations but there you go.