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Post by Robert Herrmann
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Hi APJ,
I cannot help but notice the irony in this…..
Imagine you are the owner of a successful Espresso Bar, located in a highly trafficked tourist destination for 13 years. All those years you’ve been searching for the perfect coffee-centric perfume to wear in the Cafe to no avail. A perfume that won’t clash with the scents of the shop. You’ve tried them all from designer to niche to uber-niche to “they’re SO niche that nobody knows their name and they only answer their phone once every two months……”
Photo Stolen Pixabay
Finally it’s time to sell the business and kick back a bit.
Then and only then, after 13 years with only two weeks left of ownership, the perfect perfume comes along.
Well, of COURSE it does. (Cue gnashing if teeth and rending of hair)
Noir Exquis by L’Artisan Perfumes 2015
Noir Exquise by Bertrand Duchaufour
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Chestnut, orange
Heart: Orange blossom, coffee, maple sap
Base: Ebony, heliotrope, vanilla, tonka bean and sandalwood
From L’Artisan: Noir Exquis is a work of contrast and the unexpected. The addictive note of coffee, combined with the warm and comfortable notes of maple syrup, glazed chestnuts and orange blossom, brings an intriguing juxtaposition to this fragrance. Rich and velvety, Noir Exquis connects these two persons during this moment beyond time and place…… Opulent and gourmand, Noir Exquis is a fragrance with a warm and charistmatic aura. Notes: Glazed chestnut, Coffee, Maple syrup, Macassar Wood
Noir Exquis is beautiful, and everything you could possibly wish for in an espresso cafe-friendly scent. Lush, dark, and creamy. A mellow coffee note (dark roast clearly!), threaded with notes of vanilla, chestnut, spices, and a gorgeous hit of maple sap.
Photo Stolen Flickr
A perfume meant to bring to mind a tête-à-tête, a secret rendezvous for two lovers in a dark Parisian Cafe, windows steamed up and the low hum of conversation from the other customers. A mostly untouched meal sits on the table, the lovers too enchanted by each other to eat anything. Hands entwined, the screeching jet-roar of the espresso machine from behind the bar, the loud grating sound of the coffee grinder. The smell of steamed milk, cinnamon, and coffee permeates the humid air. On the sidewalk in front of the cafe, a man sells roasted chestnuts in newspaper coronets, and every time the cafe door swings open the nutty smell from the chestnuts comes inside.
All of this, bottled.
THIS is the heart of Noir Exquise. And it is gorgeous.
Further reading: Megan In St Maxime and Bois de Jasmin
LuckyScent has $120/50ml
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $5/ml
Have you tried L’Artisan Noir Exquis?
Robert Herrmann XX
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Hey there Robert,
Welcome to the APJ Family. I hope you enjoy your time here. You’ve picked one of my all time favourite houses to write about too.
Portia xx
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Thanks Portia! Glad you loved the review. I pretty much adore most of the L’Artisan line xoxo
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Love this review, Robert. well done my friend/
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Hi Joseph, thanks so much!
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Sounds gorgeous can’t wait to try this someday ?
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Welcome to the magnificent APJ, Robert!
Good to get a review of Noir Equise from a coffee aficionado. How typical that it comes out after your retirement. Such is life.
At least you can transport yourself back there whenever you like.
LOVED the story of the Parisian cafe. It reminded me of one of my favourite films – Amelie.
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Tara, I love Amelie too! Also Paris Stories, a series of short films built around a single theme, but all in Paris. And a star studded cast!
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Hi Robert!
If anyone would know a good coffee scent it would the owner of an Espresso bar, especially one here in the PNW! Now I’m wondering if you will actually have time to “kick back”. You may find yourself very busy writing posts 😉 That being said, I loved your review. I have not tried Noir Exquis but the maple sap note you mention has me very interested. A couple of years ago I made maple syrup from the sap of the big leaf maples on our property. I couldn’t believe how much maple sap (maple water) came from each tree when the sap was flowing.
Azar xx
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Thanks Azar! I already miss the coffee business more than I ever imagined. I hope you get to try Noir Exquise, people have mixed feelings about it, but for me it was instant love! xoxo
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Hi Robert. Thanks for the link. Loved your review – it is spot on with the imagery. I really like this perfume – and would love a bottle. It’s really easy to wear and you get nice whiffs all through the day.
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Thanks Megan, I adore your reviews and am honoured to have had you read mine. It IS a very easy scent to wear, and perfect for the cold dreary months ahead!
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What a lovely review, haven’t smelled Noir Excuise, but your imagery is powerful 🙂 hope you enjoy your time off and dive head first into writing perfume reviews like this one! Greetings from Europe
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Thank you Ula, I love writing and I love perfume, et voila!
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i had kind of given up on L’Artisan because they just dont produce the gems like they did in the past such as tea for two, timbuktu, and dzing…this one gives me hope because almost every review praises it
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Hi Robert and welcome!
This one has been on my radar since the press release. Thanks for the review, I’m even more excited & keen to try! Sounds fab.
Tina G xx
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Robert, a very evocative review! Like tobacco, coffee doesn’t entice me as a perfume scent. Then I read something like this and damn! dying to try it. You made it sound so exotic, but accessible. Looking forward to more from you! (reminds me, I’m out of coffee for the morning!)
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what a beautiful, enthralling review Robert! I want to BE that girl in that Cafe, consumed by the smells and atmosphere and the lover staring deep into her eyessss….Getting a sample NOW!
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