Midnight in Paris – smooth and woody and seductively masculine

Photo: perfumeniche

The last few years have really seen an increase in new niche fragrance houses and there’s so much out there, that it’s hard to know what you’ll like, and how to spend your money and more importantly, your time. So I’ve become a really big fan of the “Customers-who-like-this-also-like….” feature that some websites have because they lead you to new ground and they are a real help when deciding what to read, what to listen to or what to cook for dinner. So when a friend offered me a spriz from her bottle of Midnight in Paris saying it’s “… like Bulgari Black” I said “Why not?”

Midnight in Paris is from Van Cleef & Arpels, the legendary French jewellery company. Founded in 1896, they opened their flagship store at 22 place Vendôme, in Paris in 1906. It wasn’t long before they became the go-to jewellers for the rich and famous. Their reputation was built on their commitment to exceptional stones and innovation. Did you know that in 1923, they introduced the first wristwatch with a leather strap? In the 70’s they expanded into perfumes launching First, created by Jean-Claude Ellena in 1976. In 2010, they launched Midnight in Paris, created by Domitille Bertier and Olivier Polge, for men.

OK, so Midnight in Paris has pedigree, but to be honest, my friend had me at “… like Bulgari Black”. After all, Bulgari Black is one of my all-time favourite fragrances. Turns out she was right; Midnight in Paris is a lot like Bulgari Black, but it’s very different too. So different that after trying it, I had to buy a bottle.

Midnight in Paris opens with bright bergamot and lemon. As these fade green tea and black tea come forward, supported by balsamy, woody rosemary and lily-of-the-valley, which gives it an elegant green floral note. Just then, Tonka bean appears with its almond/vanilla spiciness. It rises above the other notes and wrapped with incense and leather it never gets too sweet – just deliciously warm. Over time, the Tonka bean becomes more muted so that there is a smooth, soft, woody drydown that is seductively masculine.

Midnight in Paris has become a favourite fragrance for me. Is it like Bulgari Black? It is reminiscent of it (many scents are reminiscent of, or riffs on other frags, after all), but it has its own distinct, beautiful personality and goes in different directions. For me, it can’t replace Bulgari Black, but it can live alongside it.

So, if you like Bulgari Black, you’ll like Midnight in Paris. If you don’t like Bulgari Black, you’ll like Midnight in Paris.

Which one should you try? Both of them, of course!

Check out Midnight in Paris in our Shop.