Noire Berry

Noire Berry opens just as boldly as Jo Malone's Black Cedarwood & Juniper: a sharp, almost animalic accord of cumin and chili pepper that reads warm and skin-like, the cumin carrying that wet, urban edge the original is known for. A cool, resinous juniper threads through the heart, green and aromatic but quiet - much as it is in the source, where the juniper never quite takes centre stage. The drydown is all dark cedar, dry and woody with a supple, faintly leathery touch. As a dupe it stays faithful to the structure but leans a fraction sharper and spicier up top, the cheaper cumin reading a little louder, while the cedar base settles slightly flatter than the refined original. Longevity is moderate, in keeping with the original's somewhat short wear. A moody, distinctive woody-spicy scent for cooler months - bold, urban and a little mysterious - at a budget price.