Our Impression of Sahara Noir by Tom Ford

A new fragrance that is part of Tom Ford's signature collection (which includes Black Orchid, Violet Blonde, White Patchouli, etc.) has gone on sale in May 2013. Tom Ford Sahara Noir is an Ode to incense and is inspired by the traditions of the Middle East. Tom Ford said: "Middle Eastern culture has an extraordinary appreciation for the luxurious, emotional and memorable qualities of fragrance; perfume is worn there in a way that feels very familiar to me. Sahara Noir is my interpretation of this heritage. It is a deep and substantial perfume that caresses the senses." Sahara Noir is inspired by the mystery, beauty and luxury of the Middle East. Tom Ford decided to focus on incense, a highly valued ingredient which symbolizes respect and devotion and has been used in religious ceremonies for centuries. The balsamic and resinous shades of incense remind us of distant lands and stimulate the senses like a breath of desert wind. Sahara Noir is an oriental-woody scent based on incense. Bitter orange, Levantine cypress (known as one of the plants growing in the gardens of the 1001 Arabian Nights) and cistus essence Orpur® (Orpur® are high-quality natural ingredients of extraordinary purity, developed by Givaudan) open the composition. The heart blends frankincence essence Orpur®, cinnamon, cool papyrus extract, rose absolute from Morocco and Egyptian jasmin with honeyed and animalic shades of beeswax from Burma.The base centers around warm amber notes - made of labdanum absolute and ambreinol (an intense natural labdanum fraction), cedar, frankincense resin, benzoin, vanilla, oud and balsams. Sahara Noir is available as 50 ml Eau de Parfum.