Valentino 2018 EDP

U ££ Acquired

Valentino Noir Absolu Oud Essence

by Julien Rasquinet

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Valentino Valentino Noir Absolu Oud Essence is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2018, created by Julien Rasquinet. Valentino's Valentino Noir Absolu Oud Essence carries an Acquired verdict, a woody-led wear.

This is a bold, challenging oud that's far from a crowd-pleaser. It's a love-it-or-hate-it kind of scent, with its potent animalic opening dividing opinion. Definitely not a blind buy.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Bold
  • Mysterious
  • Edgy
  • Sophisticated
  • Warm
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Valentino Noir Absolu Oud Essence Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Projection
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Fall Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in winter and autumn.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal

Its long-lasting nature and strong initial sillage, combined with the intense oud and leather notes, make it too potent for most office environments. However, its bold and mysterious character is well-suited for evening dates or formal events, especially in colder weather, as many reviewers suggest.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

Declarable under EU Annex III

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Valentino Noir Absolu Oud Essence opens with a punch of unapologetic oud, animalic and intense, quickly joined by the dry, slightly dusty spice of saffron. As it settles, a smooth leather accord emerges, intertwining with the deep, grounding presence of cedar and sandalwood. The initial barnyard blast softens, giving way to a warm, woody, and subtly smoky dry-down.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once: the blends worth trying, how each one scores and where to spray See what layers well

Complement

Two people, two scents: what sits well beside it when you each wear your own See what pairs well

Where to buy

Prices for the United States ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.