Noir Supremacy Afnan: Humble Lover In The Night
Fragrance Reviews

by Sergey Borisov
02/07/22 11:30:01 ( 10 comments )

The Dubai perfume house Afnan Perfumes appeared in 2007 by the labour of Imran Fazlani, who managed to significantly develop the perfume business in a short time. Afnan fragrances are presented in 30 countries of the world now, and, apart from the Persian Gulf countries, they are represented in Europe, Australia, Africa, the Far East and Russia. Afnan has more than seventy fragrances in collections named Mirsaal, Ornament, Tribute, Naseej, Rare, Highness, Souvenir…

But of course, the brand's most famous collection is called Supremacy, and the most famous fragrances in it are Supremacy in Heaven and Supremacy Silver. Yes, yes, the very ones based on Silver Mountain Water and Aventus (Creed) success. According to Fragrantica readers, Supremacy Silver even enters the short list as an Aventus substitute on a Fragrantica Awards nomination in 2019. Today I'm going to talk about a lesser known fragrance in the collection, Supremacy Noir.

What surprised me on the official website of Afnan Perfumes is that the fragrances do not have a detailed description with all notes. The descriptions sound like this: "a teasing fruity beginning, a light floral-musky heart and pleasant woody and smoky notes in the base." Or in the case of Supremacy Noir, "fresh spicy opening, woody-musky heart, spicy musky base." Why so? Is it reluctance to impose one's own opinion on customers (let them feel familiar notes and put them into words themselves) or understanding that any descriptions could help competitors in creating similar fragrances (for perfume lovers to find which fragrance was copied from)? But you know, that's why Fragrantica exists and succeeds.

Supremacy Noir starts with a transparent freshness of spices. It seems to me that it's black pepper and coriander, plus a neutral freshness – what is sometimes called bergamot, sometimes lavender, and sometimes juniper berries. In addition, the resin of coniferous trees is evident in the initial chord, sweetish and warm, with a green tint of needles, so dear and Christmas-like. The start refreshes but does not sparkle. It seems to me that in the green part, Cashmeran makes its contribution, and there is a smell of wet stones and suede in the perfume.

It's a pity, but instead of developing, the aroma quietly fades away – bright spices are replaced by soft cinnamon, tinted white. For a fougere smell, the spice accord lacks geranium or rose, and in general emotions – it lacks courage. Supremacy Noir seems too quiet, indecisive and soft-hearted. A secret lover? Night moth? An inaudible little animal of a soft dark color? The soft heart leaves behind a smooth, woody-musky broth of Iso E Super, warmed by suede and something woody, most likely patchouli.

The sillage of the fragrance quickly sheds. You can smell it well for half an hour, and after a couple of hours you need to literally collect the fragrance with your nose from the skin. This is a first impression scent – to carry a bottle in your bag and apply it right before a date or job interview. Because after an hour or two, only traces of the smell will remain. It seems that Bottega Veneta Pour Homme, which Supremacy Noir really smells alike, is still more persistent.

The Supremacy collection has really good quality bottles (especially for the $33 100ml fragrances), with a kind of coat of arms on the mirror-polished glass, but this perfect black bottle is a bit annoying. Every time I pick up a bottle, I see my own fingerprints on it and feel my imperfection.

Supremacy Noir Afnan Perfumes

Top notes: Fir, Violet and Bergamot;
Middle notes: Pine, Leather and Lavender;
Base notes: Labdanum and Patchouli.