With all the fucking hubbub over his ‘Fucking Fabulous’ fragrance, a new mainstream Tom Ford fragrance snuck in the back door in chic and sleek fashion. ‘Anthracite’ is the latest of his Noir line – one which has, up until this moment, failed to capture my adoration. I’m not even a fan of his ‘Noir de Noir’ from the boutique Private Blend collection, so another Noir sounded fatally bland. Still, something about ‘Anthracite’ and its relatively quiet entrance appealed to me, and since I’m in need of an office fragrance, I gave it a spritz.
Surprisingly, I liked what I smelled. There’s nothing edgy or extreme about this one, but it wisely veers clear of being too sporty and citrusy. There’s an opening of bergamot, but that quickly dissipates into pepper and woody ginger. The cedar is strong in this one, which works for the transitional fall-to-winter months. It’s got a deliciously dry midsection, which I like, befitting a martini or a vesper. It’s professional, with just the slightest hint of intrigue to set it apart from more standard fare. I also detected a pinch of patchouli that contributes a nice accent without screaming like some 60’s banshee. After a couple of hours, the spicy edge is subdued by the cedar, in the same way that the woods can be elegant in their coming austerity. The perfect set-up for the onslaught of winter.
