No.131 Black Code

No.131 opens crisp and citrusy, with bergamot and lemon giving a sharp, clean burst that closely tracks Armani Black Code's opening. Star anise and olive blossom bring a subtle aromatic-green lift through the heart, while guaiac wood starts building the woody backbone early. This citrus-to-woody transition is where the resemblance to the original is strongest. The base brings dry tobacco leaf and tonka bean together for a warm, slightly sweet finish, though it arrives faster and reads a touch simpler than Black Code's smoother, more rounded amber-tobacco blend - the original has a bit more polish and depth in how the sweetness integrates with the woods. As an aftershave-strength formulation, projection is moderate and longevity is modest, closer to a splash than a full EDT, which suits it well for daytime office wear rather than an evening statement. It's a fair, wearable approximation of the citrus-aromatic-woody category Black Code sits in, good value for anyone who wants that fresh-then-warm signature without the designer cost.