Fragrance comparison

Java Wood vs Modern Classic Noir

Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.

Updated 9 Oct 2026 125 ratings analysed

Java Wood

Première Note

3.4654 votes

Rank #39,001 Soft SpicyFresh Spicy

Full profile Similar & dupes

33%scent match

Clearly different

5 wins

Modern Classic Noir

Brocard · 2015

3.6571 votes

Rank #30,653 WoodySweet

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Modern Classic Noir takes 5 of 5 categories.

Java Wood
Choose it for a soft spicy and fresh spicy character. Best in fall, daytime wear.
Modern Classic Noir
Choose it for a woody and sweet character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in fall, evening wear.

Java Wood0/5

Modern Classic Noir5/5

Ratings & consensus: Modern Classic Noir
Community sentiment: Not scored
Longevity: Modern Classic Noir
Sillage & projection: Modern Classic Noir
Value for money: Modern Classic Noir
Versatility: Not scored
Note pyramid (duration): Not scored
Fragranxe ranking: Modern Classic Noir

Head-to-head breakdown

Every category side by side, with the winner called out.

Fragrance

Java WoodPremière Note

Modern Classic NoirBrocard

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.46/ 5 · 54 votes

Have 51%Had 9%Want 40%

3.65/ 5 · 71 votes

Have 25%Had 16%Want 59%

Category winnerModern Classic NoirRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

17%Love

44%Like

11%Ok

24%Dislike

4%Hate

54 votes

8%Love

42%Like

8%Ok

33%Dislike

8%Hate

12 votes · too few to score

Category winnerNot enough dataMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity59

〰 Sillage57

♥ Love / hate62

⏱ Longevity60

〰 Sillage72

♥ Love / hate52

Category winners

LongevityModern Classic Noir

SillageModern Classic Noir

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value50

¤ Price value56

Category winnerModern Classic NoirBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

soft spicy100%

fresh spicy92%

anis84%

aromatic77%

woody69%

earthy61%

woody100%

sweet92%

fruity77%

soft spicy69%

Scent match33%Clearly different · both soft spicy and woody

Note pyramid (duration)

Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = shared

Top15-30 mins

Star AniseSichuan PepperBergamot

Heart2-3 hrs

TobaccoCuminViolet Leaf

Base5-7 hrs

Haitian VetiverJava vetiver oilLicorice

Top

BergamotSour Cherry

Heart

Woody NotesStar AniseDried Fruits

Base

PatchouliLicoriceVanilla

InformationalShared notesStar Anise, Bergamot and Licorice. Durations are only published for Java Wood, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring63

Summer50

Fall100

Winter63

Day100

Night73

Spring50

Summer50

Fall100

Winter100

Day50

Night100

Category winnerNot enough dataMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men50

Unisex36

Women14

Work 37%Casual 34%Date 18%Party 11%

Men50

Unisex50

Women0

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#39,001

PerfumerMelanie Leroux

Launched—

Reviews0

Overall rank#30,653

PerfumerNot listed

Launched2015

Reviews1

Category winnerModern Classic NoirHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Première Note Java Wood is an earthy, dry spice fragrance built around woody roots and herbal heat. The opening snaps with tart bergamot, tingling Sichuan pepper, and bitter star anise. It feels sharp. Soon, dried tobacco leaves and warm cumin bring a dusty, aromatic grit to the midsection. A foundation of dark Haitia…

Reviews →

A budget friendly take on dark fruity gourmands, this scent focuses on tart red berries and sour cherry over an earthy patchouli base. The sweet fruit blast feels fun and unapologetically synthetic before drying down into smooth vanilla and anise. It suits crisp winter days, leather jackets, and informal dinner dates.

Reviews →

InformationalRead bothTaste is personal

How we score: ratings blend public fragrance ratings with Fragranxe member votes; longevity, sillage, value and sentiment are community vote scores, and season bars are relative to each fragrance's strongest season. Categories with too little data are shown but not scored. The scent match weighs accord overlap (60%) and shared notes (40%). More in the FAQ.

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Java Wood or Modern Classic Noir?

Modern Classic Noir takes 5 of 5 categories. Java Wood is rated 3.46/5 from 54 votes; Modern Classic Noir is rated 3.65/5 from 71 votes. Choose Java Wood for a soft spicy and fresh spicy character. Best in fall, daytime wear. Choose Modern Classic Noir for a woody and sweet character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in fall, evening wear.

Which lasts longer, Java Wood or Modern Classic Noir?

They last about the same: Modern Classic Noir 60/100, Java Wood 59/100 for longevity in community votes.

Which projects more, Java Wood or Modern Classic Noir?

Modern Classic Noir projects furthest (Modern Classic Noir 72/100, Java Wood 57/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Java Wood and Modern Classic Noir smell similar?

Clearly different: a 33% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share soft spicy and woody accords. Common notes include Star Anise, Bergamot and Licorice.

Is Java Wood or Modern Classic Noir better for summer or winter?

Java Wood suits daytime wear; Modern Classic Noir suits evening wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Java Wood and Modern Classic Noir?

Java Wood has top notes of Star Anise, Sichuan Pepper and Bergamot, heart notes of Tobacco, Cumin and Violet Leaf, a base of Haitian Vetiver, Java vetiver oil and Licorice. Modern Classic Noir has top notes of Bergamot and Sour Cherry, heart notes of Woody Notes, Star Anise and Dried Fruits, a base of Patchouli, Licorice and Vanilla.