Black Bvlgari for women and men

This is a very mature, masculine scent. It smells like burnt tires and sweet vanilla on me and my brother. It lasts for hours and has an extremely strong silage.
My brother ended up stealing this from me, fell in love with it, and emptied it within a month.

My note from the last time I wore this (nearly a year ago):
4/6/23 This could be a love, not a like. My spouse had this in his collection and gave it to me after he probably wore it once. I hadn't bothered looking into it until today - maybe 2 years later - now I realize that this is discontinued and also a masterpiece. Today is the second warm day of early spring (71 degrees), humid and a bit overcast. The atmosphere is dense/close to the skin and it matches this fragrance perfectly. Walked the dogs at lunch and the smell of the damp asphalt on 8th Ave, the little blooms starting to open on the trees, rubber and exhaust from the cars idling in traffic....

Today: I love it. If this wasn't discontinued I'd wear it more often. On my skin this is a quite soft-projecting scent. Each time I go to sniff my wrist I pick up something a bit different from the notes list. It's like bitter green tea, soft sweet sandalwood, fresh jasmine, cozy musk, warm amber, black leather, and then around again to the bitter tea. To me this feels meditative, and I would happily wear it for a quiet night of self care and early bedtime. I would go to sleep and dream about white flowers heavy with mist dropping onto wet blacktop.

My poor bottle I had back in 2009 was a little mistreated, lol.
It was always at the bottom of my purse, or on the passenger's floor of my then-husband's old Chevy truck, which is actually a very fitting place for this kind of bottle and scent.
He and I shared Bvlgari Black, but it was always more suitable for him. It's definitely more masculine!

I bought it back then for no more than $30. I can't believe the ebay prices for this now! Whew!

Black has an incredible rubbery smokiness to it.
It's the sweat from a sexy mechanic.
Eau de Hot, Muscular Race Car Driver.
It lasted forever and garnered a lot of compliments, but alas I let my ex have it.

The closest I have gotten to a dupe is Dead Sexy by Tokyo Milk (Margot Elena's creation), which I am very content with.

I was fortunate to enough to receive a bottle of this in a swap (ty D.) It was absolutely something I took for granted. It was always cheap and always available. I thought it always would be.

No. I missed out on all those $20 bottles and by the time I realized how much I missed it, the bottles were being flipped for $300 on eBay. Boo.

The scent itself is exactly as I remembered it. Basically, Kenzo Amour + rubber. Which is a good thing. I never thought of it as leather - I thought of it as a rubbery, tarry vanilla. I know it has layers and depth, but I'm not good at waxing poetic. I know it smells of lapsang souchong, which is smoky and beautiful (but I can't drink it, it's like liquid bacon)......and then I know it then smells like a dark vanilla.

I never thought of it as a women's perfume, even though it allegedly is. I always thought it was rather safe and linear. And I'm just elated to have it again. It smells like comfort. Do not give up your chance to own a bottle of you get a chance, before they're all gone.

Black is deeply comforting and masculine, in as much as it reminds you of traditionally manly hobbies and craft. I don't get much evolution from top to middle to base with Black; more of a hodgepodge of notes.

In no particular order jumps out leather jacket in the sun, tire shop, and sweet, sweet gasoline. More abstract, but just as lovely scents of freshly laundered cotton shirt and nostalgic schoolground asphalt petrichor also pop into my brain.

Performance-wise, Black is pretty subtle to my nose, barely extending past the skin, and for only a few hours at most. But man, what a scent while it lasts. Just writing this makes me want to go huff some Bvlgari Black

I got this for my husband a while ago and he just didn't like it. I kept it with my frangrances and did not care for it... until today. I wanted something different and I found it. There it was... waiting for the right time. Woow. I am impressed, it performs great, with many layers and has something sexual. I am glad I didn't get rid of it.

Charlize Theron ( Imperator Furiosa ) in Mad Max: Fury Road 2015

Given the current prices of this stuff on Ebay, I thank God I impulsively picked up 3 extra bottles when it was still available. I may just have enough to get me to the grave.

I do hope that Bvlgari will have the good sense to re-release it.

The only fragrance owned by my Wisconsin sailor boyfriend. Rubber London fog Fougere. Fine by me!

This one can go both ways ....at times/ most of the time I deeply love it, but in warm (damp) weather it can go 100% burned rubber smell on ya (not that nice, haha). Overall: a big like for me.

A general reaction to the 3/4here below:
If my tires would smell like Bvlgari Black, I would sleep most of the nights on my parking lot with my nose against my Pirellis Zero. And maybe even in Winter against my Michelins Alpin5.

Even if I prefer VC&A Midnight in Paris much more, I do get some association with Black. Must be the Leather & Amber in both. More than with Luna Rossa, which has no leather.
They are all great in their own way.

Probably more relevant is the fact that these 3 great fragrances all have been created by women, marketed for men. I guess it his how they would like men to smell. Just keep that in mind.

Interesting Gucci way of looking at smell as fashion. I tried Gucci Absolute and immediately threw it in the trash. The strong smell of a mechanic workshop, diesel and burnt rags, was the basis of the decision, without regretting the money spent. Not all decisions are good. I stopped by a friend's house and saw the black Gucci bottle. Beautiful. I allowed myself to smell the perfume and what do you see, instead of diesel I found a tire workshop. Or better said of burnt rubber as in drifting. This is black from Gucci. My friend told me that he took it as influenced by the good opinions on the net. Three years ago. And since then it sits nicely on the shelf. He has no place, no time, and no occasion to wear a bit of burnt rubber. But the bottle looks good in the collection. That much. The world praises him, this shows how different we are. Some people love to smell diesel and tires. It's hard to go on a romantic date like that. Chances are, it will be suggested to you, next time you leave the tire shop, take a shower. It is clearly not a blind buy. It's not cheap either, if you can find it. So, good luck with your Gucci adventure.

I've wanted to try this one for years, as I've seen it on multiple occasions compared to Midnight in Paris (which I own and love). Sadly, I was disappointed with this...it's not terrible, but just a letdown. First, I don't find that it resembles MiP, nor do I find it comparable to Luna Rossa Black. I find those to be unisex and give a powdery, iris-based leather. I also like both of those much more than this. Black leans more masculine in my opinion, and the leather is more like chemically treated leather mixed with rubber. But that's not what irks me about this fragrance...there's a note in here that I can't identify that bothers me a bit. I'd enjoy this on someone else, but it's not for me.

When I wear this perfume and suddenly imagine that I trap in a tyre shop for whole day

Its opens with a very soft powdery almondy musk note... Feels very vintage. Amazing during the winters.

Sweet and also leathery. Definitely get the rubber tyres but more in the way my dads garage used to smell.. wooden floors, tyres yes, but also fresh oil, leather seats, sunshine on the garage roof and the promise of a picnic after a drive somewhere.
Sad this scent is discontinued.

Ok this is deep purple. (Synesthetically not physically.)

I found a sample of this and it's sweeter and less industrial or rubbery than I expected. I was excited about the 'tires' description which I can only faintly pick up on but I like it anyway. At first it's mostly this very creamy vanilla, then it becomes more leather and some smokey tea leaves. A little floral and a little salty? Purple purple purple.

This is it. When I was a kid I would frequently go to Nordstrom Rack and smell the men's fragrance section which would usually consist of the same 10 fragrances and Bvlgari black was one of them. For some reason despite loving it back then I never bought it and over the years forgot it existed. Fast forward to my fragrance addiction I remembered the exact smell of Bvlgari black but forgot what it was called and what it looked like which sent me on a sample frenzy. FINALLY I figured out it was Bvlgari black and I couldn’t wait any longer to purchase it so I checked out where I could buy it and found out it was discontinued. It took me an entire year but I finally found this for a “good” price and picked it up. Like others have said it truly is a masterpiece and is easily a 10/10 fragrance there is absolutely nothing that replaces this.

Revisiting this after decades I was shocked to find how powdery it is. I have memories of this scent that I will retain but I wouldn't buy a vintage bottle as it simply doesn't give me quite the same feeling after all these years of changing tastes and experiences. So much powder in the composition. Savour the memories as memories, sometimes revisiting them is a lesson on how contextual those experiences were and how impossible it is to retrieve them from history and pull them into the present. This is, however, without a doubt one of the great fragrances of our time and it is a terrible shame it is discontinued. There is nothing like it.

This is tonka, vanilla and rubber. It has similarities with Pi de Givenchy which I had when I was student. It has some spicy notes as well. I prefer it over Pi.

Love it Black Bvlgari what a beautiful masterpiece shame that they discontinued it and Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef and Arpel back in the days when you were able to purchase any of these for cheap $40 bucks for 4.2 oz Flanker I remember buying 4 bottles of Midnight in Paris in edp and edt they were all over small shops and perfume stores and so was Bvlgari Black and now prices are outrageous and don't get me wrong they were nice at that time but now they're all discontinued shame prices are not worth buying IMO.

Peace y'all

Love the scent, I really enjoy the sexy vibe, one of my favorite discontinued gems.

Bvlgari Black and Midnight In Paris are almost indistinguishable, fantastic tea note with a powdery feel. Can definitely pick up the floral notes as well. Double sprays seems to work for great longevity, will do great once cooler weather hit.

Odd looking bottle design but is well protected with the rubber covering whereas Midnight in Paris can break and leak very easily yet is probably the best looking bottle.

Long story short: this was my first ever fragrance that I bought for myself with my hard earned money as a teenager.
And I bought it by a mistake - I thought it was Bvlgari Aqva OG.
And this happened to be the sweetest mistake in my life.
Absolute unique masterpiece, with a performance out of this world.
Who would have thought that a fragrance that smells like asphalt will turn a woman crazy - well, it happened.
She just wanted to lick all of me in the middle of a pub.
This monster stayed on my shirt for months after washing it.
Unbelievable.
If I had a wish to bring back a discontinued fragrance - this will be the one, no hesitation.

I'm in the 'masterpiece' camp with this one. Sure, once you smell it, it must be clear why it's such a controversy, but it's a gem nonetheless. I'm a petrolhead, and a motorbike and car enthusiast, so this one has an atmosphere close to my heart: leather upholstery, petrol and oil, tarmac and roses. And since it's so bold, I believe you have to have the right outfit - I wore a leather jacket and heavy boots. Sadly there's not much oportunities for me to wear this beauty anymore, I just grow out of this style. I love it still and cherish the memory.

Surprised that rose and bergamot are listed as top notes, since the smoked lapsang souchong tea is overwhelming. I'm unable to identify any floral element at all . But the amber & oakmoss & leather base do anchor the fragrance. Wish I could smell the rose, citrus, & jasmine - that would lighten the heavy automotive vibe.

A gorgeous unisex leather amber fragrance with a subtle smoked rubber aspect. So disappointed to hear it's discontinued.

Bvlgari Black holds a special place in my heart as the first fragrance I ever bought for myself. It exudes a sense of nostalgia that instantly transports me back to the moment I first experienced its unique aroma. Regrettably, I write this review with a heavy heart, knowing that this beloved fragrance has been discontinued.

Black is truly an olfactory masterpiece, a fragrance that effortlessly combines contrasting elements to create a one-of-a-kind scent. The opening notes are a captivating blend of smoky, rubbery accords that may sound unconventional but are surprisingly alluring. They instantly capture attention and evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue.

As the fragrance settles, it reveals an intriguing combination of leather, vanilla, and dark woods, adding depth and warmth to the composition. The juxtaposition of these rich and smooth notes against the initial smoky tones creates an intoxicating allure that is both comforting and captivating.

The longevity of Bvlgari Black is impressive, lingering on the skin for hours, allowing its wearer to revel in its unique and intoxicating aura. It's a fragrance that demands attention, leaving a lasting impression on those who encounter it.

It saddens me to know that Bvlgari Black has been discontinued, as it has become my signature scent, an extension of my personality. Its departure from the fragrance market leaves a void that cannot easily be filled. However, I will forever cherish the memories and experiences that this fragrance has given me. Bvlgari Black will always hold a special place in my heart, a true icon of perfumery.

Discontinued huh? I bought this forever ago as a cheap alternative to Midnight in Paris which also used to be cheap. Then MIP was discontinued and skyrocketed in price. Now this is discontinued and skyrocketing in price. I guess now I'm forced to go with Luna Rossa Black which also has skyrocketed in price...

Sometimes I really, really hate the fragrance game.

Let me set a little funny scenario for you:

Imagine that you are walking in the dark streets of Gotham City, suddenly you hear sounds of a car chase and sirens in the distance. And before you know it; Batman passes by with his bat mobile chasing a bad guy. And what you are left with is a smell of rubber and the dark essence of the city. This is what it smells like.

Defying all expectations, very wearable. I was a fool to finish my precious sample and Bvlgari was a fool to discontinue this. This is conceptual perfumery as fine as it gets.

Masterpiece of annick menardo in its beginning .
It is a modern leather, from a futuristic city in the rain... it is beautiful, a smell of moist and warm rounded gum of a bright vanilla with the smell of bitumen burning in the rain... it is from another world.

It was my signature perfume for 15 years, why to have discontinued such a beauty bvlgarie , everything was there until the magnificent bottle paying tribute to the jewelry know-how of the brand.

Give us back this legend!!!

Powdery rubber. With a nice tea note
I found it at a fragrance place at mall for a good deal.
Unique and lasting.
Glad I have this masterpiece. Its rubbery note is definitely unique.
9/10

I really like the new-tire smell! It's a delightfully unique take on a vanilla leather scent, and I bought it blind simply because of that concept. That was dumb.
On my skin, things go well for about 20 minutes and then the musk turns a little crotch-y, and there's some sort of smoky note that turns up to an 11 and singes my nose hairs. Because of that, I never wear it and will probably end up selling my bottle lol

it smells like midnight in paris that means big dollars ! the 1.3 oz bottles are going for hundreds of dollars dont waste a drop of this "My precious" juice remember it smells like midnight in paris which means big dollar bills

This is an interesting scent. It is what I call it a quite leather. You can tell it is leather but it is very soft but not getting to suede territory. Green tea in the opening combined with leather makes it more animalic than it actually is. Give it sometime and it becomes less animalic. I guess not being sweet is the only reason that this has been eliminated. I have a 2010 bottle of this and it smells very modern to me. If you like leather scents and you can find it for a reasonable price, it is highly recommended.

Got this for an ok price considering how rare it is now, and let me tell you: there is a reason they call this the hockey puck. This bottle is HEAVY and made from thick rubber (not cheap plastic). The scent is very similar to my bottle of VC&A Midnight in Paris. I will have to do a side-by-side comparison and add details later, but I am so happy with my purchase. This was probably discontinued because the bottle was too expensive to produce. A perfect accessory for any Bvlgari jewelry collector. This is what designer fragrances should be about, they should compliment the signature products of the designer brand. Burberry fragrances should remind people of trench coats and scarves, YSL fragrances should remind people of leather rock and roll jackets and Chelsea boots, Hermes fragrances should remind people of leather goods, Louis Vuitton fragrances should remind people of the signature monogram. Anyways I’m going off on a tangent….Annick Menardo…. the GOAT in perfumery? It’s possible.

If someone sell this perfume please contact me 🙂

Fancy, aromatic, softly spicy, with a prominent astringent aftertaste of rubber.
The black leather is flanked by fumed Lapsang-Souchong tea and a vanilla that doesn't even bother to hide its non-natural face. It guarantees an initial shock.

Bvlgari Black is certainly a futuristic perfume, even by today's standards. A humble interpretation of masculine elegance that needs rapt attention, IMHO!
Not so great in performance, but it meets the basic requirements.

Rubber+vanilla. This is a kind of fragrance that you spray on and feel instantly like a badass (woman).

Amazing fragrance, I've been using it for 10+ years until it was discontinued - I was getting compliments all the time. I exactly remeber the way my clothes (or rather, whole wardrobe) used to smell when I was using it.

What a shame they discontinued it! I have never found apropriate replacement.

Not for everyone.

Bvlgari should be looking at relaunching this very masterpiece by Annick Menardo instead of producing new fragrances that we don’t really care for. My last 10ml feels like precious liquid gold to me. Rubbery leather on a vintage powdery musky backdrop, so good, so iconic!

I love this, I know people think this leans masculine which is probably why I like it. I am not a fan of overly feminine fragrances. Its sexy! like rubbery, vanilla hard to explain.. gets attention, as a woman wearing it i guess its a little unusual. Gone very expensive since being discontinued, its a little like Dead Sexy by Tokyo Milk so get that as its cheaper.

This, Body Kouros and Au Masculin are timeless 90s masterpieces by Annick Menardo. They all share this slightly rubbery vanilla pod base that would never go out of fashion IMO. BK has benzoin and eucalyptus, AM has anise, and Black has black tea and more rubber.
It is in a way rethinking the rubbery-leather genre of Knize Ten and Bandit by placing it in an oriental context instead of chypre, and adding more synthetics to literally match the shiny alien fabrics already employed in fashion at that time.
This scent is the perfect match to Madonna's Erotica and Bedtime Stories. It somehow reflects that specific amalgam of sex and haute couture, provocative and uncanny but never really carnal because of its glossy over-aestheticism. It is a paradigm shift from the 80's suffocating heavy sweaty powerhouses towards a different kind of androginous, cosplay eroticism with its dark side made out of vinyl, feathers and electronic music. Think Kate Moss, Helmut Newton, David LaChapelle, Alexander McQueen. And if you believe the 90's were all about aquatics, try Bvlgari Black. It is sitting just on the opposite side of CK One, yet somehow sharing the same axis.

I fortunately have a bottle of this and it's definitely rubbery on my skin. The smoky tea and a hint of leather too. However, don't assume this is the same for everyone. A woman I know tried it and on her skin the experience was completely different; a floral jasmine and rose, with musk. That's what I think made Bvlgari Black a classic, the way it changes so radically for different people.

I remember wanting to buy this years ago, but instead was convinced by my friend’s girlfriend to buy Cerutti 1881 instead (didn’t hate that but another story) - this is a very definite MALE scent. Aimed squarely at chisled squinty faced Italian suited businessmen who do business.

Wearing it I can see where the marketing department was right; this is not a ‘younger guys’ scent, this is a signature scent

7.5/10

Not even a year ago I bought a bottle for 30$ now I see it’s 200$+ lol. And I seen some people saying they don’t smell the rubber, that’s the main thing you get from this fragrance is that rubber smell. If you don’t smell that you may want to double check your fragrance.

If you can find this, and don't mind the elevated price, I'd suggest taking a chance. For me this is a pleasing, slightly warm fragrance that is good year round and would make a nice signature scent. Perhaps not the best for high heat or active/sport outings. This fragrance is blended so well I really have to focus to distinguish the notes and even then only a few stand out. Why bother? Just enjoy it for what it is and that is a quality fragrance that is not likely to be worn by others and will please you and those around you.

Lastly, I know a lot of reviewers indicate a strong rubber smell, for me it is only slightly noticeable and then after focusing to identify it. I wouldn't let this be a deal breaker for you, if you blind buy it and don't like it there are plenty of others who will buy it from you on fragrance sites and auction sites.

A discontinued classic that became memorable as the owner ages. Recently, and luckily, got a 40ml bottle for AUD$60. Love this one and Attitude (discontinued) - a sign my taste is out of fashion too?

Do not buy from Parfumly.com, they are misleading and false.

Bvlgari Black (1998) - rubber vanilla - Both shock and beauty comes from wearing this #annickmenardo creation. Starts with an accord that resemble Leather & Rubber that would be polarizing to most, but that shouldn’t deter you. It’s balanced wonderfully by Jasmine and Rose and a creamy Sandalwood. Yet, after 3/4 hours in the drydown, it shines into a glorious suede Vanilla, with a hint of powdery musks, that make it a masterpiece.

Bvlgari Black is a soft vanilla scent with a well-known rubber accord. I find it very pleasant and uplifting; it's not serious at all. Just good vibes with this one. Leans a bit feminine. So 90's!

DISCONTINUED FRAGRANCE REVIEW
NO.#2 / 10.

I've decided to amuse myself.
For the next several reviews I do, I'm going to review discontinued fragrances.
Why?
Because I can, really. No outstanding reason.

I have a small-ish group of discontinued scents in my collection (that I haven't already reviewed), so let's reminisce and possibly weep at some poor perfume production decision-making.
Technically, this is No.#2 (my previous review was of "Si Fiori", so that can be No.#1).

So here we go.

I have no business liking this.
If we live with them horribly-restricting stereotypes - this perfume leans *far* more masculine than feminine to me. It surpasses Unisex Central Station and Grand Theft Auto's its way into Dudesville.

But GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY, I like this.

Leather is the most dominant note. There's no pretending otherwise. This is so heavy on the leather, I'm surprised PETA picketers aren't outside my house right now. But as someone mentioned below...this also could be interpreted as rubber tyres. Either very fresh leather or you just picked yourself up some new (literal) wheels!
You do get a gentle mingle of the top notes. There is a herbaceous quality that suggests tea, it's a bit zesty and fresh from the bergamot, and the rose is dark. There is a slight competing floral note to this, but it works SO well.

I honestly don't get the middle notes so much in this scent. The sandalwood maybe? There's a faint creamy woodiness. The cedar isn't obvious, and I smell no jasmine whatsoever.

The vanilla, though.
With the leather it *makes* this scent. If you already knew that a leather-and-vanilla combo is bomb than you're hella-more switched on than I am. I love them together. I honestly believe that's how I can wear this and not be self-conscious that "I'm wearing a man's scent; what MUST the people/civilised society think of me?!"
It's true that amber and oakmoss aren't nearly as prevalent as the leather and vanilla, and that's okay. There is a slight musky powderiness that makes this - dare I say it - elegant? It's faint, but there.

The sillage is kinda awesome. The leather is less strong in the air than on skin, truthfully.
The longevity is wicked good - 6-8 hours on me!

A downside? Hubby Himself is not a fan. Because I smell like a dude or burnt rubber tyres? We may never know.
Alas, I do want that man's good opinion, though.
Not for everyone, and I wouldn't wear it every day, but there's nothing else like it in my collection.

Still... an oldie, but a goodie (but also a discontinued).

***

Kitty rating: 7.5/10.

I'm going to miss this so much, as it is my signature fragrance and probably the most compliment getter on my skin, apart from liking it so much by myself.

Too bad the prices of it to get the last bottles around, not gonna pay Aventus price on this.

An OK fragrance. I do not smell any rubber or smoky scent here and I am a pipe smoker so I know what I am talking about. It is powdery and projects well. Smells a bit sweet but not cloying. Recommend it only for fresher days and nights.

oh my! the first moment I sprayed this perfume I fell in love. I have been looking for a new scent and am a big fan of woody, leathery, musky scents with a hint of sweet vanilla, and this scent gives all of those things. Its funny I read comments of others saying it doesn't smell like its for women, but to me it does smell quite feminine, maybe more of a mysterious, strong, sexy woman scent vs sweet. I would say its more suited to a mature wearer. I have found a new scent to add long term to my collection

To start, if I smelled this on a woman I would be shocked. Do people say this is unisex because of the vanilla? I enjoy it either way.. does not smell like burnt rubber. More like fresh rubber tire with vanilla.

Edit: sprayed this on before bed (if thats weird i don’t wanna be normal) Love! Had no idea this was discontinued… went searching for a backup bottle. So disappointed.

@Deelecto's review made me laugh! Not especially into the latex side of The Grown Up Adult Play Party Scene, but I found it weirdly relatable as I'm on the fringes of aforementioned scene. Lapsang souchong is one of my favourite teas and I love smellysmello's description.

Although the two of them are radically different, the reviews I've read so far make me think of my beloved, dearly missed Azzaro Decibel.

Will need to try this when I can, I reckon!

Fresh citrus herbal start followed by the most sophisticated cool modern take on rubbery leather. Brainy scent. Lost treasure. Total love.

The bedroom door opens. You look up in horror - caught! You thought no one would be home for hours. But it’s too late to hide it - the rubber suit is halfway up your torso, the powder that was easing its journey has started to cake with your sweat and the rubber’s begun to squeak (pleasingly) against your skin. Well, you won’t make it to the party now. But you perversely enjoy this moment of exposure - the sight, the sounds, the smell. If only you could bottle it up.

First impressions are not good. Sprayed on paper, there’s a generic warm, woody vanilla, overlaid with rubber. I cannot imagine wanting to wear this on my skin. Perhaps 24 years ago, it was groundbreaking, but that is no longer the case. It certainly reads as generic to my nose–mind. I will try it on my skin, (female), and my friend’s skin (male), but I see myself selling this one. Also, my bottle was preowned, and did not have any citrus or green tea top notes. Perhaps that would have added to the pleasure baseline, but as it is, this is a pass for me. Total meh.

Update! I sprayed this on my skin, and I figured out almost immediately what it reminded me of: Tokyo Milk Tainted Love, the black bottle with the white key on it. I had that perfume when it came out in the 20-teens, so it was probably derivative of this, but since I smelled that other perfume first, and wore it, this perfume smells derivative of that to me. No wonder it’s a walk down memory lane I don’t care to take! If anyone is looking for a dupe of this perfume, check out Tokyo Milk’s Tainted Love.

Found a 75ml bottle last weekend. $50 well spent. Still a blinding scent. 👌🏻

[175] Black is a unique, original scent that deserves its accolades. I have been intrigued by it since reading Luca Turin's glowing review as a teenager. The bottle is perfect - round and black like a tyre, it matches the concept to perfection while being distinctive and objectively pleasing. I'm glad to have tracked down a miniature instead of a decant - now I've a scaled-down version of the epic bottle to admire!

Black opens with a compelling mix of notes that settles before there's a chance to savour them. There are fresh, tart citrus notes, some slightly sweet but smooth florals and a warm hint of something akin to benzoin in the background. I get a hint of fresh, earthy tea leaves, and then it settles fairly quickly into its famed rubber-and-gasoline accord.

It smells just like rubber tyres after a car/motorbike has skidded to a stop - smoky and tar-like. It is photorealistic, bringing to mind a rough-and-ready garage/yard selling used cars. I'm surprised that birch tar is not listed in the notes. The gasoline is fleeting, and the vanilla that emerges in its stead is an inspired and unexpected addition that adds smoothness and just the right amount of sweetness. The rubber accord becomes more refined and leather-like, and the vanilla here adds a buttery, luxurious quality to the leather notes. At this stage, it more resembles the biker's leather jacket than her tyres.

Tempered by soft, woody notes, this fades to a powdery, musky vanilla-amber skin scent with a whisper of leather until the end. Sillage is moderate but the longevity is lacking - my bottle must be of a later batch.

A badass, unisex leather scent, Black is masterfully created. It has shades of Matière Première Falcon Leather, but is more complex and nuanced. Meticulously crafted, Black is compelling from start to finish - I just wish it had better performance. To be worn with confidence. 4.5/5.

I was on the fence about purchasing this a while ago, as reading reviews and seeing a rubber composition gave me an impression it would be more of a gimmick or a collector's piece than a wearable scent...

Finally came across a bottle - at an antique shop of all places, so I figured I'd give it a spritz at the very least.

I was actually quite impressed at how simple and muted the fresh asphalt / black rubber came off, as they blend well with a dark vanilla that makes up most of this scent. This is probably the newer formula, as that initial uniqueness morphed into a dried out vintage leather scent after 15 minutes.
It's a surprisingly good mixture; where the mild vanilla isn't too gourmand (so it's more comforting than tasty), and that distinct rubbery scent keeps you on your toes as you try to comprehend what captured your nose. Overall this blend is an unexpected piece, but it's not offensive or gross in its alternative idea on what a fragrance can be.

Seems like the nuance of an auto body shop provides a nostalgic comfort in the back of our heads. I have a feeling the scent of this hot tar / tire rubber can provoke different memories for different people. For example, it initially reminded me of when my school had a new tar roof being poured during summer classes, and we got to go home earlier since some were feeling weak from the heat and powerful scent.


I would say this scent gives a luxurious impression, but from a recently bygone era that isn't loved at this time. Think of 2007 when fedoras and the manager bangs haircut seem chic... I imagine like fashion trends, this fragrance type will come into style again - but tweaked a bit for a new approach (stronger and longer lasting, or a more chemical-fresh note instead of the vanilla?)

...I've ended up buying the antique shop's fragrance, as I definitely enjoy this iconic Bvlgari scent, and can say it's safe (and even comforting) to wear out and about, while also being a bit "different" than the usual sort. Despite the unique experience, it's definitely mild. This can be good if you just want a fragrance to wear, and not one that's polarizing to put on!

A masterpiece. Smells like the confident badass who wears a leather jacket. Introverted and stoic, but ready for action or any trouble that finds him/her. That’s right, it’s unisex, but equally badass on a man or a woman. That’s the magic of this one. I’ve been told Angelina Jolie rocks this one and that makes perfect sense. It’s mostly leather (and yes it has a slight rubbery accord in there), giving it the edgy badass in a leather jacket vibe, but this is complimented with a powdery vanilla and warm amber, making it sensual. Those are the main notes I pick out, but I believe it’s the subtle woody accords that give this a masculine edge. Perfect for end of summer nights when it starts to cool down.

Love this stuff. One of my winter favorites. The reviews of a powered rubber tire is about right. Yeah sounds unappealing. But it's actually good stuff. I don't know about the claims of it spoiling fast according to some reviews. But my bottle I got in 2018 so far smells the same. I wouldn't be surprised if some people got fakes. It happens.

I'm not an expert at describing smells, but this is like a classic car/garage to me. Tyres, leather & burning. It seems a bit Marmite in how people react. (Not that it smells of Marmite, which would be bad.)

I wore this for years before it was discontinued in 2017, which I didn't realise until recently. The last bottle I managed to find was from a reputable online retailer (I believed - can't remember the name now) but didn't smell right. It was either fake or had gone off. I've not tried to buy any since & when I contacted Bulgari direct a couple of years ago they couldn't let me know of any current legitimate retailer with stock. So I gave up...

...until recently when I started to search Google for "Smells like Bulgari Black" & found there are websites about fragrances like this one - who knew?

So my research led me to various threads, many up to a decade old, recommending alternatives, from the cheap to the ludicrously expensive, the way off mark to the discovery below. After a weekend spent sniffing around the Midlands & Bristol (challenging to do safely with COVID) my wife & I have settled on a replacement which is:

Molton Brown Russian Leather.

We think it's >90% there so I now own a bottle of EDT & some bath gel.

Happy so far - you be the judge.

I’ve worn this scent for years and still love it. Black is the perfect blend of leather, tire rubber, gasoline, exhaust from a big block engine, and spicy vanilla. I know that combo sounds strange but believe me, it works. Performance and projection is long, this is essentially a day long fragrance.

One weakness is that it’s not versatile. It cannot be worn with brown outfits, just strictly black and it’s most appropriate at night. Also never pay full price for it, this fragrance can easily be found at discounters and for low prices online.

Bulgari Black...


...imagine a race car doing a burn out after winning the 24h race of le Mans with 20 vanilla scented air freshener trees hanging off the interior mirror and the driver wearing an old leather jacket.
That's Bulgari Black...

Thumbs up Annick

@olga_adriana yep mine too

I was lucky to find a vintage 40ml bottle ( 2000 batch 😎)

It's a nice unisex fragrance, Sweet, Smoky, Woody and Leathery. It opens up with like semi sweet citrusy, green, slightly floral and woody notes in the background then dry down is sweet vanilla musky,
a bit smoky and leathery. This is perfect for the fall and winter. The art of bottle design is black similar to tire, very unique. I like Black Bvlgari EDT.
Rating : 7.5 / 10

I've always liked this fragrance a lot, but I won't be buying it again. I've had perfumes in my collection for years and none of them have turned - except this one. Not just one bottle, but two! And after maybe only one year or so ... it smells like plain rubbing alcohol now.

I've had this fragrance for about ten years (batch code suggests August 2011 manufacture), so I presume this puts it in the original formulation category.
I can understand how some may not like the prominent lapsang souchong "rubber" note, but for me that's what makes it really special.
I've also got Fahrenheit though, and I'm a fan of the "gasoline" note in that wonderful fragrance too, so perhaps it just takes a certain taste.
I can't speak to performance of reformulated batches, but the one I have goes pretty close to beast mode, I wore it out tonight to a club for drinks, in outdoor section at tables, weather cool and damp ("cool" here being 17C or so...), I could sense my scent dominating the surrounding space.
A couple of acquaintances turned up, sitting at adjacent table, both immediately noticed the Bvlgari and one said "Someone smells good!", I knew she was referring to me but two of my friends sitting at my table would've been wearing fragrance also so I didn't want to openly presume I'm the one, she actually stood up, started smelling us one by one and when she got to me she said "Yep, you're the one!"
I of course said thanks, and told her what it was.
I've received random compliments from strangers with this one in the past, for me it just seems to work.
I find Black to be very nicely balanced, but with a distinctive sharpness that cuts through the air, projecting excellently, strong sillage, and lasting nicely.
I can see how it could be considered "Unisex", but with "rubber" and leather notes this definitely sits firmly on the masculine side (it's certainly no feminine unisex fragrance, put it that way...).
Would consider this an afternoon and evening scent generally, but I've worn it to office in past and managed to pull it off.
Really like this one, classy and expensive smelling, if it has been discontinued that's a shame, however if the reformulation has watered down the performance and distinctiveness of it I doubt I'd want to purchase a recent bottle of it anyway...

Stroke of luck.

Found a 40ml bottle in a shop tonight for $30 AUD. It was the last sealed bottle they had. They had a 75ml tester. I’ll be going back before Xmas to try and nab that.

I'm gonna layer this with Dior Fahrenheit so I smell like a whole ass car!

I adore this since from my childhood. My dad still have the bottle and we share this fragrance together :) I can describe the smell of this perfume as gas station. Yess gas station but in a pleasant way. I smell plastic has crawled in fresh grass with a touch of tobacco and gasoline. I know this description is weird maybe because the bottle of mine is out of date :)

I haven't got a chance to test the vintage formulation unfortunately as I do believe this is not the same scent it once was. The opening is nice enough with hints of a vanillic musk accord and tea, but I don't get any rubber tire or animalic leather whatsoever. This was probably a very unique scent in 1998 but due to reformulations and regulations it's a shadow of its former self. It kind of sucks cause I was hoping the rubber car tire accord was still present. It actually smells like a light or ''eau fraiche'' version of L'Artisan's Dzing! They both share that musky vanillic sweetness with hints of restrained, near clean, leather, though Black is even more faint.

I do like this one, but the performance is severely lacking which is too bad. It sits very close to the skin the moment your spray it. Edit: this has abysmal performance and shouldn't even be bought at all anymore. Get the vintage if you can.

5/10

On reading Luca Turin/Tania Sanchez's five-starred review of this fragrance, I was deeply confused. Tea? Rubber? Leather? No thank you. But after giving it some time, now I understand why they rated this so highly.
This fragrance is a very handsome man in a grey suit, sipping an Earl Gray latte and reading Steinbeck, sitting in the lobby of a tire shop. It's captivating in an understated way. It is genius, the marriage of these notes a thing so much greater than its parts, with such a clear image of what the perfumer had in mind that it's almost tactile. I love this fragrance so much and I wish they would bring it back!

I agree with the comments about the reformulation. My batch from March of 2019 is a pleasant vanilla tea skin scent with hints of rubber and leather. What I had some years ago smelled like slightly tarred hot rubber tires (like after a mild burnout) infused with that vanilla tea, and quite a bit more. Nothing about it was soft-spoken, even if it didn't shout. Bulgari Black really was something special that matched the theme of the bottle, and definitely polarizing.

It's a shame that neither version is being produced anymore. But if you're on a quest to find out what all the hype was about, go for a batch from 2014 or prior. Even if you don't like it you'll probably respect it.

Yes, it does give off a rubber tire vibe. This could perhaps be a turnoff for some, but somehow Bvlgari made it work. And work well! One of my favorites to wear. More masculine than Midnight in Paris and better performing than Luna Rossa Black in my opinion. All 3 definitely share a lot of similarities. I was on the hunt for ages for Midnight in Paris, and when I finally found a good deal on it, I struck. A few weeks later, I realized I like Bvlgari Black more and MIP didn't really have a place in my collection besides the gorgeous bottle, so I sold it. That's how much more I like Bvlgari Black.

Big love for this beauty, an absolute favourite. I originally bought it for my husband but he wasn’t keen on it, I used it and never want to be parted from it since. I think that this was ahead of its time- to me it’s very androgynous (but not in a CK One unisex-genre way) and hard to pinpoint. A bit of a contradictory and divisive fragrance but I adore it’s uniqueness. I’m determined to buy back-ups. I just wish Bvlgari would bring this back (along with Blv Notte for women) instead of their current meh and “crowd pleasing” offerings.

P.S. For those not keen on the rubber and tea notes, it might be worth checking out AllSaints Metal Wave which to me is a pared back version of BB. When sprayed side by side, the drydown is really similar (MW is less complex, as to be expected).

I really like all of the notes in this scent, but the formulation tends to lean more metallic and gives me a splitting headache. Other reviewers have mentioned this, but if you like this scent but want something a bit less sharp, then try BDK's Gris Charnel. If you prefer unisex scents with plenty of complex leather, woody, and animalic notes in them, then don't miss Le Labo's Santal 33, Cuir 28, or Patchouli 24.

Just bought a bottle and the batch code 00172AR2 comes up on Check Fresh as July 2001!!! Can this be possible? So far it's a very gentle fragrance and I imagine a man would need 8+ sprays to get much out of it!

Edited to say, changed the 1 to an I and it's 3 years old. Phew!

I blind bought this over a decade ago upon reading, that my then favourite (male) singer uses(used) it. I was such a fool, but a lucky one, because this is really unisex and quite a lovely scent. I didn't know much about perfumes back then, but it was a love at first smell. Smoky and sweet, very well done mix of soft and bold. Now it reminds me of hot summers, melting asphalt in the city, sweaty black clothes. Oh my, I need to find some new bottle of this, it's bringing me a lot of nostalgia.

Update: BDK Créme de Cuir is considerably similar to this. BB is more smoky and CdC more citrusy though. Get a sample.

A wonderful leathery, rubbery vibe going off. I had a 30ml bottle bought for me a couple of years back. Was going to grab another yesterday, but MIB Essence hijacked my wallet. Will return to this again. A fantastic scent.

Bvlgari Black is a unique beauty. Wore it to the race track today, it’s an ideal scent for motorsports enthusiasts with the black rubber note and bottle details. Perfectly unisex, with delicate and fresh top notes, smooth vanilla persisting throughout, woods and earthy notes in the heart and base. I love the tea note in this and found the scent when looking for tea scents. The rubbery leather note gives it a strong and sexy edge. Performs well for an EDT and lasts well on clothes.

My all time favorite.

Ok, this is extremely pleasant.. It's smoother version of Midnight in Paris, the best from the trio(MiP, Prada Black and Bvlgari Black) per my opinion most versatile for day to day use. If the oakmoss and green tea were more pronounced with better projection, this would be my top choice for all year round, but things are not going that way you have that leather - rubber tire opening, with some smooth earthy tea complexity which after that is drying down to simple vanilla leather skin scent. If you are looking for some louder version with more projection go with Midnight in Paris EdP- it's richer darker version compared to EdT. Midnight in Paris(Edt) is really similar to the Bvlgari Black, but sweeter, more on a feminine side, sometimes smells like a fancy old lady.

7/10

This is a quiet masterpiece... enough said.

Bvlgari Black is interesting, cool, pleasant, and a little strange. It's actually quite a delicate scent, as are many tea scents I've tried. Basically, it's a very light leather-vanilla-tea, with a little rose underneath, and a rubber-tire note pervading everything. It's a gentle but persistent fragrance that has excellent longevity. I keep trying to figure out what it's most like, and have compared it to some other soft leathers I own. It's not fruity and plummy sweet like Bottega Veneta or as sharp and strong as Azuree. If anything, it's closest to Alaia -- also a subtle leather -- which shares its cool temperature but, again, it's gentler and more low-key than Alaia, maybe because tea scents typically have a certain delicacy. While I definitely like Black, find it interesting and original, and am genuinely glad to have it in my collection as an oddity, I just don't love it; I find it merely pleasant, a bit weird, and it just doesn't move me. Good thing I don't love it because it's discontinued.

This is Love when it gets a lil’ kinky.

Sounds intriguing right? Niche when niche wasn’t really a thing. The smell of a cold rainy night in a big city in late autumn. The smell of tires and cold vanilla infused tea. Or maybe vanilla flavoured condoms *wink wink* and a mug of tea long forgotten. But not really, no. My solinote vanilla perfume on my boyfriend’s leather jacket after we leave...the tea shop. Ha! Gottcha, what did you think we were leaving?

Feminine and masculine, simple and complex, light and heavy, proper and naughty, a true unisex. Performance is good, I can smell it all day if I spray my hairline, but it keeps close to the body. Thought it would smell better on a boyfriend, but as a true main character of my own life, I made it mine.

I'd been meaning to try this perfume for years, so I had really high hopes for it. I'd heard it described as approachably sexy and dirty, like light BDSM, so I expected something heady and complex, but grounded and easy to wear. I'd heard so many good things about Black that I bought a slightly larger than usual sample from Surrender to Chance thinking, "of course I'll want to wear this all the time!" Unfortunately, after taking it for a couple of spins, I'm not impressed. All I'm really picking up is rubber, vanilla, and nothing else. It doesn't really bloom on my skin, or go in any other direction, or surprise me at all. I might have gotten burned because I was expecting something more like The Zoo's marvelous Club Design. That scent is also largely centered around rubber, but it unfolded on my skin in this exciting, unpredictable way that kept me smelling my wrist throughout a period of at least 12 hours. It not only had that tire smell Black probably made famous, but the inside of the car as well-- a very nice car to boot, with a plush leather interior. Club Design took me through a nostalgic whirlwind of car trips and sex and beyond, while Black was just... there. Maybe I need to give Black another chance in a cooler season that suits it better, but Club Design might've spoiled me. I'd recommend that scent in a heartbeat to anyone else underwhelmed by this one.

I respect this perfume for what it is. A perfume that looks like rubber tires and also smells like rubber tires? Brilliant!

To be honest though, I like the concept more than I like the perfume. Does it smell bad? No!

Mind you this is my personal opinion, but I feel like there is lacking... something! I don't know what that something is. I also don't really know what occasion I would wear this.

If you love perfumes and come across a bottle - buy it! How often do you come across a perfume that's interesting yet wearable anyway?

Whatever! I love this fragrance but more as a piece of art than something I would wear. I will keep it!

Why didn't I like this years ago ????
Just received my bottle today. And I am loving this.
IMO.....a combo of V&A Midnight in Paris/Aqualina Black Sugar/Zirh Icon and a touch of YSL Body Kouros thrown in.
I like the vanilla/leather/vinyl-ish vibes.
This is getting more and more expensive on line,so if you are a fan or want to get this....grab it before it sky-rockets $$$$
The performance is actually pretty decent on me.
I may have to buy a back-up !

Very similar to Prada Luna Rossa Black, but different at the same time. I like the Prada more, but it doesn't last as long on me as Blvgari Black does.

Blvgari Black has a vanilla rubber smell and the Prada instead has a amber powdery smell in its place.
I do think if you like Blvgari Black then you would also enjoy the Prada. I feel the Prada is a safer blind buy though.

Purchased this in prob 06 during a depressing dark time of my life, so today when I think of it sorrow comes to mind. I have over 100 colognes, I started collecting the past 2 years and It's gotten a bit out of control. I bought some encre noir lately and am shocked how much it smells like black, well at least the black of 15 years ago. In my opinion it has the peppery openings that are the same and even the dry down is the same as what I remember black being.. I'm sure blacks sent his changed over the year and I haven't smelled it since but this is definitely how it used to smell.

Ok, so my love story with this gem began last year when a friend of mine told me that she wanted to give away an almost full bottle because it reminded her of someone she didn't want to be reminded of. Back then I wasn't fully aware of the 'cult' status of this fragrance and didn't know what to expect. When I first sprayed it on my wrist, I was surprised by a note (or combination rather) that I wasn't quite sure I liked. Perhaps that was the notorious rubber/tyre note that is off-putting to many. I accepted it just for the sake of enriching my collection. However, as time went by, I began to appreciate it and the 'like' gradually grew to become 'love'. I don't mind the rubber note anymore because I relish the leather and vanilla fusion that follows (the most prominent notes I can smell) - classy, extravagant and rebellious at the same time. A truly unique scent, such a shame it got discontinued...

Soft smoky leather. Almost suet like. I don’t get much tea. I wish I did, because I love tea. One of the best and easiest to wear leather. But still try it before you buy it.
7/10

Black Bvugari: This product has the neatest packaging. The box has not just a flap but a thick hatch. The bottle sits sideways peering out a window. The bottle is just like a tire. The top is the center hub, and the shoulders of the bottle are trimmed in real--yes real!!-- rubber. Imagine a tire. The tire is labeled BVLGARI. Sitting on a surface it is super low profile and looks like a tire. Wonderful to hold with a thick steel atomizer cap. Metal and rubber.
Just for neat guy stuff this gets an ' A' for originality.
The scent is really original, but not a projection or sillage standout. First off, my skin is absolutely an absorption monster. I sprayed two times on the flat of my arm, both right and left. Maybe 'Gone In Sixty Seconds' ties in with the car thing, but it was a skin scent in about sixty seconds!!!!
What a wonderful, all original fleeting moment. It has a major waft of tire shop which I love. I smell a nice vanilla, not boozy. I think I smell jasmine. I detect a slight orange--the bergamot. So of the eleven notes on the list, I detect only about four. I think the tire smell is from the Leather. This is one of the most original scents, I cannot stop spraying and sniffing.
A real opinion. This EDP offers an interaction of the notes unlike any I have sensed. I believe this is part of the magic of synthetic notes and molecules that are man-made. This unique interaction can only happen with synthetics in my opinion. This is why I think synthetics are really exciting, and just starting to take hold.
Certainly there are endless interactions on the natural note front. Many scents have fifteen or more notes so top parfumers can do anything and go beyond any limit.
As we move into synthetics we will see more accords/notes that are not derived from natural scents. We will see notes that are completely detached from any botanical, animalic or other form. BVLGARI BLACK hints at petroleum products in the form of a rubbery scent.
Do we name it 'Tireshop Vanille'?
I love the box. I love the packaging. I do not need ridiculous duration. My personal taste in scents is that I like 'em to come and then I like 'em to go. Still, I have scents with the deliberate strategy of projection.
Aside: This review is written from my own perspective with bias and attitudes and my own collector philosophy.
Look. . . I do like the crass and artificial scents of the '70s and '80s. I don't mind scents that smell cheap because cheap can be fun--for me at least. There is a cheap side to me. For example, Lolita Lempicka Au Masculine with licorice or Anise. How fun!! Maybe even. . . Put on that cherry scent. How fun!!!! Juicy Couture Dirty English with a base of Escentric Molecule 05. Fun, cheap, naughty.


Also, I like to rotate scents so I don't need a scent that you have to call the HazMat team to get it out of your frickin' Pendleton wool shirt.

Looking at the notes on Fragrantica, I never would have bought this but I smelled a sample years ago and loved it. This was my foray into unisex scents. There was nowhere like Fragrantica to go and check reviews at the time and had I known about the rubber and road accord, I probably would have said no. I'm glad I got it because the drydown is wonderful on my skin, a perfectly non-sweet vanilla leather. I would say it leans on the masculine side of unisex and I think the write-up from the company under the description is correct - this is black tea, not green. Longevity and sillage are moderate on me and I wear it in cooler weather, too smoky for summer. One of my very first adult fragrance buys back then and still glad I bought it.

This is the brother to Versace Crystal Noir. Bvlgari Black came first. It smells less synthetic and shampoo perfumey than Crystal Noir.

Bvlgari Black has black tea, cedar and leather notes but, they are beautifully blended in. Not the Shalimar level of leather.

I also, smell laconic notes and coconut? in Bvlgari Black. I know it's not what other people are posting in comments, but it's what it smells like to me. The grounded cedar in here, rather than the perfumey floral base of Versace Crystal Noir makes Bvlgari Black more wearable to me. A real bargain price for this perfume.

Both perfumes are made in Italy.

I remember smelling this perfume in 2014. Its been reformulated. Then, the tire note was distinct and stood out. Now it's creamy and refined. Definitely worth trying.

It's not a sweet or gourmand perfume.

I really like this perfume and bought a back-up. Someone else here has said it's discontinued and I can't see it on Bvlgari's website.

This is one of my all time favorites. For me it smells like success, wealth, royalty.

got Bvlgari Black about a month ago. blind buy as well.
this is some juice and a half! but one thing that's bugging me is the opening, it reminds me of a fragrance I use to have but I can't think what.
I really don't want to say it but Davidoff champion keeps popping up in my head.
I had Davidoff champion many... moons ago.
and I can't believe Ive ordered a little 30ml just to see if it is that.
but yeah bvlgari black gets a 10/10 from me.
and that rubber note is addictive.

I don't usually write negative reviews, but the burned black rubber note in this is just a terrible one for me personally.
It was very popular so a lot of people must love it, but just be advised it's definitely not a safe blind buy.

I do not get the overwhelming burned rubber smell others seem to be having, I find it to be a nice mild scent. It is quite powdery, and not overly strong. I would consider it a unisex scent as it is not overpoweringly masculine or feminine. One of my favourites so far.

Batch code: 11I14CE1 (2018-11)

I might have bought the last bottle in stock?
Bought it a week before Christmas and now I can't find it anywhere.
Just like the reviewer below me says, it's a unique fragrance in a unique bottle.
I want to add to the record that this fragrance smell a lot of tonka bean in the opening, which makes sence when it's firmly compared to Midnight In Paris.
In the drydown I get musk, amber, green tea and sandalwood.
Warm but distinct.
There might be some vanilla in the drydown. But I don't get any leather to speak about.
The drydown is definitely unisex.

I give this scent an overall 8/10
Uniqueness 9/10
Longevity 7.5/10
Sillage 6.5/10

So I don't have this anymore, just an empty bottle. I do love the bottle for this fragrance, it's unique, just like the fragrance itself. I know people have mentioned the rubber smell, well I love that rubber smell, it satisfies my sniffer. It's like a big tire swing hanging from tall mountain trees. The rubber smell quickly morphs into a soft woods with just the right amount of floral and a touch of vanilla. This is one of my old favorites. It's a lovely fragrance for any gender.

My old favorite.

It doesn’t matter that once an estimated eight-year-old girl told me that I smell like poop. Believe me, it was Bvlgari Black, not me or my ass.
On the other hand, a close acquaintance of mine told me that the scent is just like a cheap Russian woman.
I have not received any other comments.

Otherwise, if you only knew how spiteful comments I have received for another Menardo masterpiece, Patchouli 24.

For me, Black is one of the best perfumes of all time. Those who hate it can break up into pieces for me.

A delicate powder made of jasmine, rubber, coumarin and vanilla, all massaged together, into a unpretentious perfume suitable for all beautiful souls.

A car with leather seats, new tires, and a vanilla air freshener. It's a juvenile Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille before it picked up it's nasty booze habit. I find it coyling and bordering on repugnant. 3/10.

I don't get it🤷🏻♂️, I don't know why you guys love it so much, but I can't remember the last time I wanted to smell like a freaking tire, ah wait I do remember, NEVER!
I'm definitely selling my bottle

It’s nice, don’t expect to fill a room in beast mode or have it last any more than a few hours. I cannot for the life of me get any sort of rubber note but I cant fault the balance of notes. Some people are head over heels in love with this perfume - but if they ever get a chance to own Midnight In Paris especially in EDP form it’ll blow them away - it’s almost like (and I don’t like to say it) Black Bulgari is a clone of MIP with everything turned down and quite frankly poor performance. I own both so can compare side by side. Its worth buying a bottle now as prices will no doubt skyrocket as it’s discontinued

It's like someone went to a black tie event, stole one of the cars from the valet and did a burnout in the middle of a sugar plantation. How can a fragrance be so formal yet so badass?

Whatever bottle I purchased has the strength of an eau de cologne, but I LOVE this fragrance. I don't care if I have to unload 10 sprays onto my clothing to get weak projection, moderate performance and have to buy a new bottle every month ($45AUD 75ml). Totally worth it in my opinion. From what I can gather this has been discontinued and I am probably holding onto the last whispers of a reformulation. If you've experienced it previously it's probably safe to assume that this is a shadow of its former self, but as a newbie I am deeply in love.

If anyone knows of any other fragrance that has this burnt-tire note with a sweet boozy vanilla backing (but with better performance) please let me know!

For a house that does relatively safe fragrances, this one pushes out the boat. There is undoubtedly a burnt rubber note on the initial spray. A little like the smell you may remember from slamming on your brakes a little too hard. But that dissipates pretty quickly to become a warm smoky vanilla, leather, and woody scent. Really challenging at first, but not in a bad way, to become a really versatile cooler weather fragrance. Really good and not sure why I didn’t purchase it years ago. Blind buy? If you like vanilla, leather, and woods, absolutely.

8/10

I’m trying a 2004 batch right now and I gotta say I really like it. It’s like a leathery (or rubbery) vanilla that I think would smell good on anyone. It’s got that uniqueness factor which sets it apart from other designer scents but also has enough familiarity as well. It’s not a heavy scent either imo. I wonder how the newest formulation compares.

Not quite my cup of tea.. If you're looking for a similar scent: try Atkinson's Pirates Grand Reserve, which is a bit more smokey.

Afternoon tea in an S&M chamber: that is what Bvlgari Black brings to mind. Most people glom onto the initial rubber note, and I understand why--it's a fascinating way to kick things off. The drydown brings in the more conventional accords of green tea, musk, vanilla, and some vaguely woody notes. I was expecting something a bit more aggressive and enigmatic, but this is still a very unique scent. I wouldn't even say that it smells "good" on my skin, but elicits more of a "ooh, what is that?" reaction in me. I wish there was a parfum version of this because I'd be all over that. As others have mentioned, the sillage is on the weaker side but it does stick to the skin for a good few hours.

After trying this one out, I couldn't stop picturing the advertising agency pitch meetings: "C'mon, what woman doesn't want her man to smell like old band-aids?!"

I've finally got my nose on this after all these years. Truth be told, I've been looking for something that is similar to Midnight in Paris and for years people have compared it to Bvlgari Black.

You can certainly see where Van Cleef & Arpels got their inspiration from, huh? Upon first spray, this immediately reminded me of MiP. MiP even has that rubbery note, though nowhere near as pronounced as the one found in Black.

I love the intense rubber in the opening, it really sets this apart. A beautiful tea note encased in vanilla. This is good stuff.

A full blown masterpiece. Perfect blend of smoky semi-fresh rubber / tea /vanilla notes along with leather and woods. Urban & sexy. NYC minus the trash / garbage bag smell. Dark, alluring, energetic, special. Like the shadow of Batman. a piece of art!

I loved smellysmello's description of this as an 'accessible weirdo'. Hits the nail right on the head. hannahwdraws said it pretty well in her review as well; it's weird and edgy, yes, but it doesn't scream. It's quiet and rather content in its weird little corner, just doing its thing. It doesn't hit you over the head with its weirdness, it's subtle and understated.

I think pretty much everything that can be said about this has already been said. It opens very rubbery indeed which quickly dries down to a soft vanilla leather. I find it quite jarring in that its leather note is so very reminiscent of rubber and yes, I do get the car tyre smell from it too, but I'm unsure of whether this is an objective observation or a subjective one as I had read reviews describing it as such before smelling it. I suppose I'll never know.

I could see this working very well for edgy youngsters, the kind who listen to grunge and punk rock but who don't feel the need to remind the world of this every chance they get by wearing mohawks or excessive studs or something like that. This is for the more subtle among them, the kind who just go their own way, no matter what anyone else thinks. This is a truly individualistic scent.

Sillage is polite but definitely there, longevity could probably be better. It's one of a kind, androgynous and hard to pin down. Surprisingly - though a scent I'd describe as 'warm' rather than 'cold' - this works quite well in summer.

I'm not sure yet if I can become friends with this, if I'm willing to take the risk of others perceiving me as smelling like a car tyre. I'm not sure if I'm cool enough for Black. But it's definitely a 90's gem, a true embodiment of that decade's Zeitgeist and perfume culture. A must try.

Tiny edit after prolonged wearing: this is perfect for layering scents. Just a bit of this on top of any scent you like but feel misses a bit of edge, will make it perfect. On its own as well, this is an absolute compliment magnet. Have had numerous people ask me what I'm wearing whenever I've worn Black on its own or layered with Trussardi My Name.

The vanilla seems similar to the vanilla in D & G Feminine - it's growing on me!

My absolute favorite scent just overall not just as a perfume. I would use this as a body wash, room spray, detergent, anything. I say that also because the longevity on this perfume is noooooot good at all. It's down to pleasant powdery vanilla in a few hours. Its a nice enough vanilla but god... that opening hour of fresh leather and rubber is heavenly and makes me want to go back for more.

It is so lovely because yes it is dark and edgy but it doesn't sacrifice comfort for bravado. It is still warm and luxurious like it doesn't need to put up an aggressive front to prove how cool it is: it knows how cool it is and has relaxed into it.

A lovely bottle reminiscent of a tire and a good representation of the smell. It might look hard and masculine but is softer to the touch and more feminine than you may think.

One of my first perfume loves so I'll add to the many reviews.

Bvlgari Black is an accessible weirdo of a perfume. Although it has (to my mind) a masculine burnt rubber opening, I find the drydown of vanilla, tea and bergamont to be harmonious and genderless.

It's hard to believe this was created as a department store mass-market fragrance - it has a quirky, niche sensibility. It's unexpected yet still easy to wear. There's a nice balance of badass and humor with this one.

I hear it's been discontinued, which is a real shame. I see it regularly on the grey market for under $40. If you are one of the few who hasn't yet tried it, get this 90s masterpiece while you can. You won't regret it.

Love the initial rubber smell - then the vanilla takes center stage for me and is a bit too innocent smelling. This is like a calmer Dzing!

From my point of view, it is one of the most beautiful unisex perfumes. Although many consider it to be more masculine due to the aroma of "burnt rubber" in the opening, I feel it as pleasant, sexy and a woman.
I think it is the first designer perfume that dared to step on the territory of niche perfumes. Especially in the 1998s when the vast majority of houses launched fresh perfumes or in general "safes".
The unique smell of leather, vanilla, tea and that rubber accord ... wow ... a scent craze.
Too bad the projection was poor, otherwise it was on the podium.

Just received it and on the initial spray it smells pretty good.

Longevity is not great, it quickly dries down and after 2-3 it can barely smell it, what a shame.

I’ve also tried Prada Luna Rossa Black and they smell identical but since Prada Luna Rossa Black is a EDP it lasts longer on me and Prada Luna Rossa feels more refined as well.

But 75ml for $40 then I think it’s okay

Finnaly ordered it from Notino,because I know when it’s gone,it’s gone,and I don’t want to miss that,as i’m specially connected with that late 90’ era perfumes,but this one,I haven’t owned ever.It was on my hit list a long time,but until now,i haven’t pull the trigger.This was a blind buy,waiting to arrive,but I’m familiar with MiP,so I know I won’t be dissaspointed.Love the smell.

It is still possible to find this online, but I only see in last few shops and the prices are going up steadily.
I personally don't love it but it's a classic and the bottle is freaking cool. So if you want to ever get it, I think the time might be now, this will be gone before next winter.

A versatile spicy, non offensive but very tasteful all rounder that'll last though the day.

Mellow. Finesse gold that's doesn't fall into opulence. Can get a bit cloying though. 8/10

Bought this after Prada luna rossa black and they are very identical to each other. To my nose, Bvlgari black performs better and lasts longer. Planning to layer them together. Nice smell and unique. Very subtle but noticeable.

My mom recently bought this for my birthday. Upon the initial spray, I recognized the familiarity as my mom used to wear this during my transformative years. For this reason, I'll forever associate this fragrance with her.

It's a beautiful soft rubbery vanilla with leather, with a nice dose of bergamot in the opening. This is inoffensive, and yet has character. I wish it had better performance because this is really a gem of a fragrance.

بعضی از بهترین عطرهای تاریخ روی یه توازن ریسکی بین این دو عنصر متضاد بنا شدن: آکورد وتیوری ـ وانیلیِ هابانیتا و آکورد کهربایی ـ مرکباتیِ شالیمار. که این، قابلیت های احساسی اون عطرها رو گسترش میده و، زمانیکه کار، درست انجام شده باشه، به عطر اجازه میده که از هر لحظه به لحظه ی دیگه و از هر مود به مود دیگه بویی متفاوت نشون بده، انگار که همیشه چیزی جدید و شایسته واسه گفتن داشته باشه. بعبارت دیگه اون ها بویی نه صرفا زیبا، بلکه جذاب دارن.

یکی از دوستانم می گفت که یه نوع خاص از برنج دانه کوتاه کارنارولی که واسه درست کردن ریزوتو استفاده می کرده بنظر میرسیده که قصد اون رو میفهمیده و از یه هوش فطری برخوردار بوده اون برنج. حالا می تونم این بینش رو به عطر تعمیم بدم: بلک بطور نامشخصی با مغز حرف میزنه، اون توسط یکی از بزرگترین استعداد های این حرفه ساخته شده، آنیک مناردو از فیرمنیش. اون جفت-آکوردها تمام شده بودن، کاری که خانم مناردو انجام داد این بود که با همونا ابعاد جدیدی خلق کرد. بلک به طوری جسورانه روی سه محور در فضا کارش رو شروع می کنه: یک نت کهربای بزرگ، خشک و شیرین؛ یک نت فلورال بی صدای دهه پنجاهی از جنس عطر ژو رووین (بنزیل سالیسیلات) که به سبزی یه چراغ مطالعه بنکر هست؛ و سرانجام یه آکورد لاستیکی تلخ ـ پودری و فرِش که حس حضور تو یه فروشگاه یا تعمیرگاه دوچرخه رو میده. وقتی بلک رو برای اولین بار استفاده می کنید این سه نوا به شکل بی نقصی به شما اصابت می کنن (به شامه‌تون می‌رسن). چیز قابل توجه در مورد ساختار بلک اینه که فاقد تاپ نت یا درای‌داونه. مناردو سعی کرده یه هارمونی مستقل از زمان خلق کنه، در عین حالی که نسبت به تغییرات کوچیک تو احساسات شخص خیلی حساس هست. در زمان های مختلف استفاده، بلک به طرق مختلفی خودشو به شما نشون میده، همچون یه سرود نبرد آمازون، یه قاب زمرد سبز مجلل برای عکس ناپلئون در سالن اپرا، یا فقط یه لبخند ساده. بلک همچنین یه رنگ و بوی عالی از عطریات قدیم داره، درحالیکه کاملا جدید و مدرنه. بعضی کارها سعی میکنن کلاسیک باشن؛ درحالیکه یه سریا به سادگی هستن. یک عصر رو با بلک بگذرونید و شما پی میبرید که جایگاه اون درکنار بندیت، تابا بلون، و کابوشا، بین همه عطرهای بزرگ تاریخ که از هر قید و بندی آزادن هست.

I love this fragrance. The problem is I can barely smell it after about 20 minutes. It seems to last a long time in the dry down, which is quite soft, mostly sweet. But I love that smoky, rubber scent with the first spray. So, I usually end up spraying myself a lot and frequently on those days I wear it. Today I tried spraying the sweater I am wearing; and behold! That initial opening scent remains on my clothing hours later. I guess this is the solution - to have all of it from the beginning to the dry down at the same time. Someone has said it is discontinued.....I hope that’s not true.

Dusky City (Annick Menardo, 1998)

Bottle Design: Thierry de Baschmakoff

Scentrack: Khruangbin – Mr. White

Composed by Annick Menardo and released in 1998, Bvlgari Black was a trailblazer in the fragrance world. I do not know the actual reactions in 1998, but it seems to me Black grew into one of the cornerstones of modern perfumery. A true legend. At this moment it is sad to hear the growing rumors that Black is being discontinued, but it is more than possible that another of our fragrance heroes is going to be euthanized.
Why do I appreciate Black so highly? First of all, it smells niche before the niche. It was very brave of Bvlgari to release something so novel in 1998. Black is an urban unisex fragrance that reminds me of a sunset in a city. Dusky, melancholic, but somehow still realistic. It opens with just a hint of citrus, and immediately goes to the beautiful rubber eraser accord that reminds of my school days. This rubber accord is additionally deepened by a comforting vanilla-amber-Tonka combo with a hint of leather. Juxtaposed to rubber and vanilla is a sparkling (almost peppery) green tea accord that gives the whole other dimension to the composition. Strange how these completely different tunes are coherent in this composition. Later this similar theme was replayed in Body Kouros (YSL, Annick Menardo), Midnight in Paris (VC&A, Olivier Polge), Luna Rossa Black (Prada, Daniela Andrier).
The composition seems simple and linear, but still possesses several somber layers. Black is perfect to wear with a leather jacket, while strolling in a city. The performance is mediocre, while I remember it back in a day as a more potent fragrance. Still, hoping that Bvlgari will not discontinue this dark urban gem for the sake of generations to come

Rating:
9/10 (vintage version 10/10)

I'm more of a vanilla hater but OMG how much I loved this perfume, the rubbery vanilla is really something, so odd and super edgy. It opens with a strong scent of burnt tires which then mellows as the vanilla picks up, and dries down to a vanilla-tea mix. The projection is soft, but it lasts quite a while (so far, about 5 h), though out in the cold it completely shuts down, so I guess it works better during the autumn or spring. Will definitely go to my to-buy list, especially now that it has been discontinued.

March 2020 update: I bought the bottle during the winter but was waiting for spring to see how it worked in a warmer weather. The rubbery aspect is much more emphasized, softly projecting after a couple of hrs. I sprayed it on my partner too, and he's liking it (which is quite unusual, since he doesn't like to wear perfume). I'm super happy to have bought this before the prices went crazy. Do so too, if you're into edgy scents.

8/10

Can glamour smell of charred exhaustion pipe cylinders and burnt tires spinning endlessly over asphalt? Well, after 5 minutes of coughing up scrap tire smoke off of my lungs, Bulgari Black told me that YES, it does. It starts with the turbo whistle of a dry, carbonized vanilla darkened by the jazz club-to campfire smoke of lapsang souchong and a lot of asphaltic sweetness from violet leaf, dressed in that modern urban uniform, the black leather jacket, one that has been dragged through the pavement and accessorized with cigarette burn holes. A breakbeat of latex and babypowder similar to the one in Habanita softens the testosterone of the leather though remaining androginous-to-masculine in the fragrances-girlfriends-steal-from-boyfriends category, and a disturbing erotic character, sexual, suggestively.

It smells like an epistle from the urban youth of the XX century fin-de-siècle: EDM, inner-city raves, Y2K, the aggressive search for individualism, Fight Club, the surge of the worldwideweb, surviving the howling mob of metropolis and other concerns-du-jour of the time that in part trespassed barriers of millennia and remain to this day. There's a very individualistic not-playing-by-your-rules, dark and unrewarded by society Byronic hero theme scripting this. And Bvlgari Black was unrewarded at the end by being discontinued, and what a shame it was because this fragrance symbolizes what designer fragrances should ideally be about: a democratized, accessible avant-gardism that caresses on the cutting-edge without going full-tilt on it like niche.

A very sensual smell of tyres, vanilla and tea. It dries out powdery and I find it very sexy for men and women as well! It is anusual and that's what makes it so attractively special...

Layers of powdery leather roll over soft musks and green tea notes, balanced by a supple sweet vanilla bean. This fragrance is luxuriously dark and intriguing. The balance if amber and jasmin hide inside the heart and keep the fragrance slightly sharp and fruitful.

Sillage: Close
Performance: 5 hours

A pleasant surprise! Yes, resembles Prada Luna Rossa Black a bit (similar fragrance for sure) but IMO better blend and more rounded up. I really like the soft projection and super longevity combination. Very well balanced and smooth blend of vanilla, green tea, leather and amber (with a pinch of wood and florals). Since it's discontinued, discounters have it for ~ $30. Get it! It's a gem. This is one of very few designer scents in y collection and I am very happy with it!!!

This is a very pleasant sweet vanilla based scent on me. I've worn Prada Luna Rossa Black before and can see the similarities. And like Luna Rossa Black there is not a lot of development in my wearing of this fragrance. What I spray on is what I get for the rest of the wearing.
I'm very pleased I got my hands on this. I do wish that it developed more on my skin than I've experienced.
I'm going to give it a shot in different times of the year to see if it wears differently.

EDIT: I think my disappointment with this perfume is that I get none of the interesting notes that are listed and people talk about. To me there's no tea, no leather, no rubber, just a flat vanilla and not a very interesting vanilla at that. I'm going to stick with Shalimar or Jicky or Chopard Casmir for a better vanilla fix.

I think the writer to the description here on fragrantica is pretty spot on! Black definitely evokes the feeling of car tires, rubber, leather and wet asphalt. But at the same time it has this sweet vanilla side to it, which balances the rawness.
Very well created unisex scent, which is actually very sexy. I would find it very attractive on a woman, and as a man I also feel sexy, when i wear it myself.

I bought after a long time and I had to return the perfume. smells completely different than before....too sweet.

Bvlgari Black is a lovely unisex gem. It reminds me of BPAL Dorian (a very smooth, sweet, bright, predominantly vanilla and tea scent) plus bone-dry but buttery-soft suede. Both cozy and polished.

If you like rubbery note, you should check dunhill century. rubbery accord presents from fresh in opening and screams really smoky like burn rubber in drydown. with solid sillage, projection and longevity. Thanks me later !!!

Бих го разменила

The discontinuation of this little gem made me bought a bottle. I remember having smelled this one back when I started my journey in 2015 and liking it. At the time i bought the also discontinued Midnight in Paris and though that this would had been a redundant purchase.

4 years later, I purchased it just to see if this is really that similar or not and because it could had been the last opportunity before prices go crazy. I'm a huge Annick Ménardo fan and this fragrance is really one of their best creations, imo.

This is a very linear fragrance to start off. It starts off with the rubber accord that combines tea leafs, bergamot and a leather accord.
After an hour, this accord starts to mellow out and the vanilla became the king here. It has the MiP vibe but, imo, much better made. Instead of the tonka this one has vanilla and is more creamy and less aromatic than MiP which has an excellent note of Rosemary, by the way. Although this is more linear.

All in all, this is an excellent scent and I'm glad that I have a bottle. Super unisex and pleasant scent.
Longevity is pretty good. I get 10 plus hours on my skin, but the projection is very moderate in the first 2hours and close to the skin in the rest of the lifetime.
I give this one a 4/5 stars.

Imagine yourself in a cold, frosty night in a middle of an oldtown of a climatic city. You are freezing to the bone so you need to warm up yourself. You step into the local café and order a cup of hot, sweet, essential tea. It's so cold you don't pull your leather gloves you're wearing on your hands. Accidentally few drops of tea fall on your gloves. That's basically the aroma of Black, yes it has an addition of vanilla but sometimes sweet black tea smells vanillic to me.

Longevity is around 6 hours, sillage is medium.

A very unique fragrance. I used to own and wear Midnight in Paris but it's more on the tonka side to me. And the "rubber note" is different.

I prefer Black.

Obviously reformulated and a completely castrated scent that is a shade of the past. Where is this lovely accord of rubber ? Almost gone a and what´s left is so weak...shame on you, Bvlgari!

After a small decant sample, I fell in love with this odd, but lovely scent. I really understand the references to rubber, though it is definitely more complex and nuanced that that. Leathery for sure, but a bit creamy, too. A shade of smoky vanilla, not cloying, thank goodness. Some amber and tea, with the rubber left at the base, which is great. Not an oh-so-popular fruity floral or heavy gourmand. Just sexy, for men or women.

This perfume was born the same year I was born. I own a bottle dated 2001 and I waited so long before I spoke about this masterpiece. If Eric Draven wore a perfume, that could be Bvlgari Black and since I love "The crow", let's analyze Eric Draven's character:
Dark but Sweet;
Apparently he is a devil but inside he is an angel;
This perfume is exactly like this. Considering the fact that BB was born to represent the dark atmosphere of the big cities (think NY, TOKYO, LA ...) I would say that Annick Menardo succeeds great but it's not over here: I did a research and guess what .. .It's one of ANGELINA JOLIE's favorite perfumes!And it was not to be expected from a girl with her character.
The fragrance is magnetic, intriguing with green tea and leather in a vanilla frame. The amber is also very good, and despite its non-cloying sweetness the soul of this perfume is sad, melancholy, like an urban Encre Noire. One of my favorite fragrances.
10/10

A very clean leather/rubber/vinyl smell that isn't overly plasticky/chemical/latex. If you like the idea of any of these notes in fragrance but find most of the perfumes containing them to be too strong, you will probably like this.

On one side I have given myself into this unique scent and on the other I really don't know what to feel about it :-)

I like it and I don't like it :-)

It is a special scent that has to be worn by the right person and what type of person is it...?

While i actually like the smell of this and can definitely appreciate the creativity, it's hard for me to find a situation in which i would ever use it. Maybe if a had on a leather jacket and riding a motorcycle... ah, who am i kidding. I never do that and wouldn't wear cologne in that situation anyway. Cool scent though.

I have a feeling that if Bvlgari Black projected anymore, it'd have not have gotten the love it does now. The rubberiness would've ended up far too intense.

As it stands, the rubber is nothing to be worried about. On the whole, this is a gorgeous, cozy smell with hints of various isolated accords which do their own thing - the sheer sweetness of vanilla, wafts of jasmine, sparks of rubberiness and some tea popping up once in a while.

Longevity wise, you get whiffs for about 6 hours, projection stays around an arms length for 1-2 hours. I use it as a nighttime scent at home and it always has a lovely, calming effect.

Everything has been said already.
So I'll just confirm that it's a unique very well done accord that gives indeed an idea of rubber. Great creativity, good longevity (as a skin scent) but poor projection. Despite that, it's still worth it given the current very low price tag online. Would have expected ELdO to release such a frag more than Bvlgari!

Unisex, mildly cold evenings 25+

Edit: I find it a bit boring, afterall. On my to-sell list!

Unlit tobacco, smooth black tyre rubber ball, black tea, honey, warm vanilla... Toss them all in a bowl with the warmth of your hands, and get introduced to Bvlgari Black. It smells soooo different and nice... I love it.

Well, what is there to say that hasn't already been said. One of the most unique and brilliant fragrances one can buy (for pennies, it has to be said). I've always believed that Turin and Sanchez tend to favour fragrances that change and evolve from their top notes to their drydown and this one changes inexorably. From that wonderful rubber opening to the most delicate floral, this is an utter masterpiece. The most surprising, unique and beautiful creation. When friends question why you are obsessed with fragrance then just get them to smell this.

There are already tons of reviews on this page, but I'll add mine anyway. Bulgari Black reminds me of opening a new action figure toy as a child. Just like opening the plastic cover and smelling that all-too-familiar strong rubber scent from that He-Man figure. It's like smelling the rubber kickball at school. What's so interesting to me is being able to wear that smell. Of course, there are various notes in there to make it smell pleasant, and most everyone here loves this fragrance. Just like many others, I was also confused by this scent when I first sampled it at the store. When I saw a small bottle for sale at a discount, I bought it ($25) and gave it another try. I really do like it, but its performance is lacking. There isn't much projection, and it's a light skin scent after two hours. That actually is a benefit because I live in Japan, where people don't like smelling cologne (they find it offensive, yet smoking indoors is okay...go figure). I don't think this is a woman's fragrance; that rubber smell maybe too odd/strong a note for a female. Also, I love how the bottle has a rubber ring around it.

Bvlgari Black is another Annick Menardo creation I have stumbled across. Unfortunately, I don't love this creation like I love some of the others (Eg. Au Masculin) and I barely ever reach for it.

At the opening, there is a prominent tea note with vanilla and leather. Agree with others that the opening reminds me of rubber/fresh tires with vanilla. The vanilla for me is a cheapish vanilla scent which can be compared to cheap vanilla car air fresheners or cleaning products. This ruins the fragrance for me.

The fragrance is pretty linear too and doesn't change much into the drydown.

Projection is fairly weak and longevity is average for me. It's pretty much a skin scent after the opening and lasts about 2-3 hours on my skin.

Bit disappointed given the hype and perfumer. Best try before you buy and judge for yourself.

Ratings
Sillage: 4/10
Longevity: 5.2/10
Scent: 5.5/10

I love this sooooo much, it's a skin-scent on me, clean but still very interesting. Does anybody know if this is dicontinued or not? I see it in online shops but it's not even mentioned on Bvlgari's website.

This fragrance was created in 1998, but it smells to me like RIGHT NOW. I've never smelled anything like it. It reminds me of new plastic doll scent with a light scent of tea leaves, smooth rubber, a kiss of vanilla and rose and a tinge of leather that's barely there. It is not a strong scent, but it projects more than one would expect, and also lasts for a while.

I don't think it's a safe blind buy. I bought it blindly and happened to enjoy it and appreciate it a lot, but I could see a lot of people being grossed out by it. It's really a weird, unisex scent. In my opinion, it's not perfumey or cologney in nature. It does have that "mmm, grrr..." factor. I would love this on a female, like many of the fragrances I've written reviews for here. God bless!

This is a very nice floral scent. I wore it today in 65 degree wet weather and boy did this bloom!! I could easily smell it and it performed for about 5hrs. I love the bottle and need a backup because it's been out for awhile and probably wont be around for long. I recommend this to both genders. This is a definite underrated scent that will be missed when gone.

Leather, rubber, vanilla. A conundrum of complexity and simplicity.

This is a well-composed fragrance with a soft, leather drydown. It reminds me of an English gentleman for some reason as it's quite clean and refined. This is a like for me, but not a love so I have a bottle up for swap - message me if interested.

Lovely fragrance. Unfortunately, this turns into a skin scent within minutes. Exact same performance as Burberry London. I would put this fragrance under the "stay-at-home-and-cuddle" category.

i´ve got megacompliment today with bvlgari black passin´by a lovely milf who has known me and she started to shout out in front of her husband: daaaamn, yoooooou smell soooo delicious !!! ... it says more of her than about the perfume itself :) ... the bipolar psychology works !!!!

This fragrance is about two things: rubber and vanilla. The rubber is quite dominant for around two hours but the two notes meld together very harmoniously, playfully, and dare I say seductively after that. I rarely feel like wearing this but when I do it's not something anything else in my collection can fill. Best matched with synthetic fabrics and dark colours. Great for lovers of the Y2K aesthetic.

If you want the smell of Prada Luna Rossa Black or Midnight in Paris at a much lower price, you should definitely consider this fragrance!

For more, check out my review of Bvlgari Black on my Youtube Channel:

The Scentrovert

Modern, mysterious, soft and seductive. This was way ahead of its time. Such a buttery vanilla with a velvety new tire smell. I was anticipating a cumbersome, jarring and sharp latex note, but that’s far from the truth. I find this fragrance actually quite welcoming and warm rather than industrial.

I do wish it carried on longer. It projects only a few inches from the skin, even upon initial application. Sillage follows you very closely as well. After about 2 hours it’s practically non-existent on me. However, the price is right for the pleasure of having it in my collection. For quiet date-nights or close encounters, this would fit the bill nicely.

yeah, really not digging this. To me it smells like furniture cleaner with a really strong ''rubber'' smell.

First initial wearing —

I was very shocked at how good this scent is ! With all the reviews saying this had a very off putting ,burning rubber ,tire smell I was expecting a very unique but daring smell. That assumption was partly correct but that tire smell on my skin smells like a very clean tire shop or the smell of the interior of a new car. In fact, this is a different scent than the typical freshies out there but it’s very pleasing to my nose.

This opens up with that tire smell but then quickly transitions to a fresh,leathery smell thats rich,sensual and actually smells kind of like a luxurious soap. I get a lot more tea than most are mentioning and also in the drydown I also get a clean marshmallow vibe like the reviewer below stated. I’m really digging this in the colder weather and it’s also very relaxing to my nose.

Performance on the first wearing was slightly disappointing as it’s a great smell but doesn’t project very much. It does leave a nice Sillage trail though which is the strength of this fragrance. It only lasted me about 5 hours which is average.

Overall rating— 7.5 out of 10 ! Unique and pleasant scent but it loses points with performance.

In comparisons to midnight in Paris I would say they are very similar but Bvlgari Black is more rich,less powdery and more masculine. However,I don’t think Prada Black is very similar to Bvlgari Black in terms of smell but they do have a similar vibe.

Fiancées thought— she thought it was pleasant but nothing special. Also she thought it kind of smelled like a shoe store but it was still nice.lol

Cleanest non pungent soft creamy new tire/ leather jacket roasted marshmallow (not camp fire) smell that is never cloying at all and dries down completely clean. Certain occasions when you’re bored want an aura change but keep it subtle.

Another scent I had been meaning to buy for a long while. The first spritz tingles my nose with its alcohol component. Within one minute I get a big hit of vanilla (that came quick!). There is no trace of that humid rubbery goodness I had noticed from a test years before (had it been reformulated?). I really have to imagine it being there. I try again later and that rubber characteristic is faintly there, but only lasts for a few minutes. After half an hour I smell an interesting wet clean smell, almost powdery - it smells good on my skin. Dry down is ambiguous; slightly floral or grassy, powdery, vanilla. The projection on this frag is terrible. After three minutes or so I can barely smell it two inches from my skin. Longevity is okay, maybe four hours.

Update: Weird - after trying this scent on and off for a while somedays I get that rubbery note. Today I am wearing it and it smells especially good.

I can see why people compare this to Midnight in Paris by VC&A, but on my skin it morphs rather quickly into Peace by Kenzo. No surprise, really, as they are both by Annick Menardo.

I got a 40Ml bottle of this legendary and now discontinued fragrance online for a song. Worth it for the splendid rubber slick-tyre enclosed bottle alone. I sprayed it with some excitement and not a little caution expecting a great roar. What I got instead is a very beautiful balance between a slight rubber and something grassy and citrus inclined. The opener also reminded me of my grandmother's garage in the 1960s which never housed a car but had a combined smell of petrol lawnmower, creosote, cobwebs and now long-banned garden chemicals. This odd note quickly disappears and it continues in a very civilized but altogether low-key way. The main thing which confounded expectations for me is just how faint the rubber accord actually is. In the film Fantastic Voyage a nuclear submarine is miniaturised and injected into a scientist's brain so that it can seek out and destroy a blood clot, save the scientist and the secrets he carries with him. If you imagine putting Santa Pod Drag Racetrack into the same machine and then hiding the result an a little wheel-shaped bottle you have Black.

God this is good. What a gem of a blind buy.
10/10 for me

The fragrance starts off with a burnt and biting scent, seemingly characteristic for rubber containing high amounts of plasticisers. Albeit not identical, the smell of the rubber covering the flanker can be taken as a point of reference. I do not know whether this is intentional or whether it has to do with a reformulation. These plasticisers, certain types of phthalates, are harmful to our health and they are increasingly recognised as environmental toxins. It then develops or weakens into something which is less biting, more round to some extent and reminiscent or remotely reminiscent of almonds for some reason. I would describe this as a lighter violet in colour. The sweetness which accompanies the rubber element might have proven rather interesting on its own or in an altered composition. Through the rubber, the fragrance seems to attempt to inspire an urban romanticism, but in contrast to what is claimed in the marketing description, wearing a scent of sweetened plasticisers seems neither rebellious nor sensual but rather senseless to me. And this is politely speaking, my first reaction was that it is a perverse expression of human recklessness raising questions about worthiness and survival. I think of it as a debatable artistic statement and this makes it hard for me to recognise it as a masterpiece. Not that I have anything in particular against the perfumer or the commissioning company, I mentioned that there seems to lie potential in the sweet element of the fragrance. However, I believe that they, as well as those who follow along without too much thought, need to be held accountable in a certain sense.

It may be the case that there is nothing new to say about Bvlgari Black. I'm another person showing up to sing its praises--

This was a very lucky blind buy. About twenty minutes in, I'm fascinated by how this one is kinky, cozy, and wholesome all at the same time. Underneath the shell of so-delicious-that-they-seem-edible rubber and leather there is a warm-blanket, powdery core that smells like laundry right out of the dryer, emphasis on the heat! I don't mean a clean laundry musk, but rather that cozy, fuzzy smell.

Ugh, no. It's about 8,000,000 parts bergamot and like 1 part everything else. Didn't get leather or lapsang souchong at all. Maybe a *tiny, tiny bit* of tire for like 2 minutes. Hey, if this is your thing, go for it, but it reminds me way too much of my Irish Spring-stinking high school [boy's] locker room. Honestly, I didn't transition just so i could be subjected to *this*

I had heard a lot about this "rubbery" wonder, so I wanted to try it out... and the result was it blew my mind. The rubber note is right there at the opening, very organic and not "plasticky" at all, yet modern and edgy, reminiscent of 20th Century machinnery. Then there's the leather, like expensive italian leather goods, not outdoorsy or animalistic, refined, polished. For a sweet note, deep, whisper soft vanilla. And the shadow of a drop of resinous cedar.
The last traces of dryout keep very close to the skin, and do not last too long, so I would suggest to have an extra spray on your lapels or a scarf.
On a man I would consider this an alluring scent, for a woman, this is the perfect power scent: strong, out of the ordinary and just the right amount of subtle.

my substition for midnight in paris (which was more feminine)
but this .... this is lovely - the same vibe - but more masculine

5/10

So I am work and I'm checking in shipment, in this shipment is a tester of Bvlgari Black so I sprayed it and the smell was so familiar and I just couldn't remember what it was and then it hit me....It was the smell I remember from all the Greyhound bus trips I took when I was a kid. That's not a bad thing, I think it smells good.

Maybe this scent has been reformulated ? When I first tested Bvlgari Black in a store several years ago, the first spray was a blast of fresh new tires smell, like walking into a store that sells brand new tires. It's NOT burning rubber, just fresh new rubber. The first spray died down within a minute, and the rest of the fragrance was a very airy, feminine sweet powder with aromatic leather. Nice !

I love my current bottle, even though it lacks the initial strong fresh rubber scent blast. The leather is rich, smooth, excellent, stays through out the dry down. This newer formula lacks the sweet powder of the original. Wish it projected more.. It's almost a skin scent on me after about a half hour. Still, it's pretty, slightly sweet and sultry on my skin and lasts about 6 hours easily.

I wear Bvlgari Black day or night, any time of year. OK for office wear, since it's non offensive, unisex and unique. It's also the only Bvlagri scent that lasts on my skin.

On a girl it's really edgy and interesting I would wear it when i feel daring and admire it on another woman.
But on a man..mm yummy stuff.

BB is one of those fragrances that brings back memories. I remember this scent from the old days and recently rediscovered it.

It is a masterpiece and I especially love the top notes and it is extremely pleasing in the 1st 30 min of wearing. It is certainly unisex and in fact it leans toward being femine after the initial petrol smell is gone. For me that makes it a 'home fragrance' that I am not willing to really wear outside.

I have to say that despite its magical scent, performance is terrible and it becomes a skin scent very quickly. In that sense it certainly is a short-lived beauty.

Scent: 9/10
Sillage 5/10
Longevity: 6.5/10

This perfume is a masterpiece, and it is for only a select few unique men and women who can handle it's leathery, rubbery sweetness. I LOVE it. I had been on the look out for it and managed to find it in a small perfume outlet. When I sprayed the tester on myself i didn't know what to think of it initially. It confused me. I let it settle and I could smell the rubbery note, but it was so subtle. Then I started to detect the note of tea and vanilla. It was so puzzling but uniquely good I had to buy it. Now that I have worn it a number of times, I am soo glad I have this in my collection. There is something kinky and dirty about Bvlgari Black; but not in an in-your-face way. It's simultaneously delicate and earthy. It has this natural quality to it - almost like the way someone's natural skin may smell. It wears very close to the skin. The rubbery note is profound, but I love it, and I feel sexy every time I can smell it in the initial spray. My boyfriend finds it very sexy when I wear it. I love wearing it on a rainy or foggy day, or whenever I'm feeling a bit sassy and moody. I cannot say enough good things about this perfume - it's so grungy and magnificently alluring.

I have no idea how I had never stumble upon this masterpiece of perfumery while being a perfume enthusiastic for years. This is absolutely AMAZING. I had read all those reviews here and it was literally a blind buy.

Not really strong, not really overpowering, just a comfort herbal burning plastic vanilla that blows my mind. I really love it! To be honest I thought that this might be a bit strong, too wintery but this is not the case. It is almost summer here in Greece and this one performs really nice, being airy and comforting. It is not an overstatement to say that this is niche quality - an amazing release from Bvlgari!

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After so many years of reading good reviews about it I finally decided to add Black to my perfume collection. In his guide Luca Turin gave it a 5 stars rating but named it hot rubber...I hate the smell of rubber and certainly don't want to smell rubber. I though Black will be strange and not wearable. It's not the case at all. Black is different but really beautiful. On my skin I don't detect any trace of rubber like Tar by Comme des garçons. It's soft but at the same time have a strong presence and personality. Absoluty no trace of flowers in it. Very urban. I like it.

I always thought that loving a perfume meant that I would automatically want to wear it.

With time, I've noticed that there are certain scents that I admire greatly, while not really ever wanting to wear.

Bvlgari Black is one of them. It is seriously one of the most unique perfumes I've ever tried: a bitter powdery, rubbery leather, with a smoky vanillic amber halfway between Shalimar and l'Air du Desert Marocain. It has this herbal greeness to it that really makes it shimmer throughout the day.

But I just can't imagine myself putting it on. For as brilliant as I find its composition, I don't really think it would ever suit me.

Who knows! Maybe I'm just too much of a traditionalist.

Either way, Black is weird and wonderful, and would go great on somebody who is likewise weird and wonderful.

Bvlgari's Black is very nice - a great unisex gourmand combination of soft vanilla and smooth leather, very likeable and comfortable. It's just a solid like for me, however: leather is a note that I rarely dislike but only sometimes love, and then most often when it's combined with (stone) fruits or floral notes, so it's no surprise that this one doesn't quite make my heart beat any faster.

I could have chosen a much better day to test it than this almost summery day in April, though: it's the kind of comforting scent that's obviously made for colder, darker weather. So I'll revisit my little decant again next winter, and who knows, I might still fall in love with it then.

This fragrance has definitely 100 percent been discontinued. You can still as of now get a bottle off of amazon. If your a fan of this fragrance I would buy now before it's completely gone. If you don't believe me that it's been discontinued talk to a Bvlgari customer service representative like I did and they will tell you the same, and it has been removed from their website.

From the house of Bvlgari and the legendary Annick Menardo [YSL Body Kouros, Dior Hypnotic Poison, Diesel Fuel For Life and Boucheron Jaipur].

This is a great Vanilla and leather scent with impressions of burning rubber, very sensual and urban, I like to wear it on fall / winter nights in the city, it was way ahead of its time in 1998 and I still love it now, great value I recommend it for men even though it is unisex.

Smells weak, you have to spray at least 5 or 7 times to smell it, and once you do it smells like rubber. It's really basic and bland, nothing exciting or even fully developed about the scent. Wish I could write a better review, but I'm much like this scent.

strange how the vanilla reacts with i dont know what(saffroline?) but rubber smell is produced.my sister thought it was hilarious as a theme in keeping with the bottle.she picked up on the vanilla instantly and i noticed the le male type right away.odd how le male and the cuba cologne use of vanilla doesnt change but bulgari's does.it leaves the rubber scent behind and also the le male and goes into a vanilla powder scent.i am just blown away by how close it gets to the smell at the walmart tire section.very nice! longevity is not bad at all,projection is not too good though but okay becuase sillage is mostly openers i guess.

Testing it now back to back and smells like "Midnight in Paris Van Cleef & Arpels" the only diference is that Bvlgari at the oppening is more robust, fills more your sence of smelling. Which one is better? The longevity will tell. I know it's a pointless compairing since Van Cleef & Arpels is discontinued and it's difficult to get one nowadays.

I bought this in '98 wehen it first came out
I always thought of it as a softer companion to amen. It's strange smoky and beautiful.
But..it's hard to wear. I think it's more suited for a woman but yes a man can wear it easily. The only thing is that although i really like it, I just don't reach for it as much as I should. It's like the notes block eachother out or it's just too simple-what you get in the beginning is what you get in the end. I would consider it a modern classic yes.
Those early bottles would all leak.

initial blast is of tires but after 5-10 mins it mellows down with beautiful vanilla note which is very nice , this is rather the best Vanilla note i seen around .

Fun to wear. Fun concept. I remember trying this a decade ago, gagging and wondering why anyone would want to smell like vanilla flavored condoms. Fast forward to now, trying it again, I am loving it. Heat, rubber, tea and a little bit of something sweet. It kind of makes me think of the smell that hardware stores have. It's enjoyable and strangely comforting.

Black is a perfume by Bvlgari brand known for their 19-century jewelry. It appeared on the market in 1998 and is one of the most avant-garde perfumes ever. It was designed by Annick Menardo, one of my favorite perfume creators ever, with such creativeness and refinement in mixing the unmixable that Bvlgari Black, one of my favorite perfumes ever, can be seen as a genius perfume and work of art.

Black is a simple, linear perfume but it is not striving to be any different. Like black and white photos, the colors are scarce but the emotion is more alive, direct and dynamic. All the notes open at once, warm vanilla and a dry scent of new tires. Its a punch and a dare for every nose, but a punch you don’t want to recover from. Try it on your skin despite being skeptical over the scent of a tire on the skin. When you put that aside, you will notice that something is constantly forcing you to smell the perfume on your skin.

There is something animal, intoxicating in this perfume. It’s a bit perverse. Ok, it's quite perverted.

This is a perfume Anastasia and Mr. Grey would wear if the book and the movie had any substance. But because they don’t we imagine them sprayed with sugary water. Black is not sugar water and it cannot be used by everybody. It requires a leather jacket or pants, dark sunglasses, bed hair and the “I don’t give a damn” attitude. It’s ideal for modern rebels. Disobeying the rules (in school, work or bed) never smelled better.

It is designed as a perfume for men but its nature is unisex. It has a small aura and a sillage but it stays long on skin and is meant for you and anyone who dares to gets close to half a meter from you. There are no rules when to wear it, just wear it freely and without limitations. We make our own rules and break them. And smell phenomenal along the way.