The September 2015 release from L’Artisan Parfumeur, Noir Exquis, should have perfume lovers excited. Especially if they  love sultry, dark and subtly sexy scents. Noir Exquis is a collaboration with master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. He has created some of my favourite perfumes, including L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu, the beautiful Neela Vermeire creations, Bombay Bling and Trayee (reviews coming!) and the magical Penhaligon’s Amaranthine (I need to own this).

Back to dark and sexy. Noir Exquis was inspired by an unexpected rendez vous in a French patisserie. In the delicious atmosphere of patisserie and coffee, hushed looks are exchanged. Noir Exquis is a work of contrast – the unexpected. It features a positively addictive coffee note, accented with the warm and cozy notes of maple syrup and chestnuts. It melts into the skin into a confident and delicious embrace. It’s rich and enticing with an irresistible and seductive aura. The dry down is oak wood, and it is warm and subtle as it evolves on the skin. Coffee is a surprisingly compelling note in perfume. It isn’t common, but is in the sexy YSL Black Opium, the delicious Bond No9 New Haarlem, and of course, Tom Ford Cafe Rose.

I smell almonds, almost marzipan, but the woods and coffee note keep it from veering off into sugary sweetness. As it dries on my skin, I find it addictive. The maple note peeks it’s head out just to keep it from being overly woodsy or bitter. There is almost a smoky note that comes and goes, and it just adds to the addictive quality. A touch of orange blossom adds a sexy twist – but just a touch.

L’Artisan Parfumeur Noir Exquis is a beautiful fragrance for cooler weather and evening, as it feels like a soft cashmere shawl. The balance of sweet and bitter, of dark and cozy, make Noir Exquis a must try. I can imagine this will be a huge success for L’ Artisan. If you love dark sultry scents, or woodsy notes, you will adore Noir Exquis.

L’Artisan Parfumeur perfumes cost between $100 and $145 USD. You can purchase their perfumes on their website and at select perfume counters. Find a store here.