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FRAGRANXE
Black Forest Bourbon by Elysian
11COMMUNITY BALANCE4
ELYSIANRANK #24,651 OVERALL

Black Forest Bourbon

★★★★★★★★★★
3.7117 votesUNISEX

Created for social gatherings, cozy dates, and late autumn nights, Black Forest Bourbon by Elysian delivers an intoxicating twist on traditional gourmand perfumes. Jessi Park composed this unisex release for wearers who prefer deep, boozy confectionery aromas over light florals or fresh citrus. The profile centers on ripe cherry steeped in sweet rum, paired against a velvety backdrop of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans. Creamy vanilla, caramel, and almond soften the deeper woody sandalwood undertones, making it a bold comfort scent during crisp fall and winter evenings. If you love rich dessert profiles that command attention in cooler air, this cozy blend provides an inviting and indulgent presence.

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BETA

Performance Metrics

62 VOTES
LONGEVITY
73
Long
11 votes
SILLAGE
64
Strong
9 votes
LOVE / HATE
68
Liked
17 votes
PRICE VALUE
60
Fair
8 votes
RR SCORE
59
Building evidence
17 votes
Ratings17
OVERALL64Well regarded62 votes
Open Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE

Community votes indicate moderate overall performance, with 6 voters reporting moderate longevity (3 to 6 hours), 3 voting long lasting, and 2 voting eternal. Sillage is likewise rated moderate by 6 voters, providing comfortable arm's length projection that gradually draws closer to the skin over wear.

Notes Pyramid

Search these notes
TOP 30 to 45 minutes
Cherry Rum
MIDDLE 2 to 3 hours
BASE 4 to 6 hours

Black Forest Bourbon presents an indulgent gourmand profile focused on cherry, dark rum, and rich dark chocolate. These boozy and cocoa elements are balanced by roasted coffee, delicate rose, and a creamy base of almond, vanilla, sweet caramel, and sandalwood.

Main Accords

10 MAPPED
Sweet
Cherry
Warm Spicy
Chocolate
Almond
Nutty
Fruity
Rum
Vanilla
Caramel

The scent begins with dominant sweet, cherry, and rum accords that evoke an alcoholic fruit cordial. Over the middle hours, warm spicy, chocolate, and nutty almond facets take center stage to create a confectionery aroma, eventually settling into a creamy vanilla and caramel woodiness.

Community Data

229 TOTAL VOTES

COMMUNITY SENTIMENT

OWNERSHIP STATS

GENDER APPEAL

9votes

REVIEW SENTIMENT

40%positive
Positive4
Neutral4
Negative2

When to Wear

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SEASONS · 20 VOTES

TIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE

OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE

It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward night.

Pros & Cons

Quick take before you sample

WHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT

+

Bold and recognizable opening note of boozy cherry liqueur

+

Deep heart notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee provide dessert-like richness

+

Comfortable moderate sillage that stays polite after the first hour

+

Warm base of vanilla, almond, and sandalwood extends the cozy gourmand feel

+

Strong community vote support for fall and winter wear

+

Rose note adds a subtle floral balance to the heavy cocoa accords

+

Unisex appeal that leans playfully into boozy confectionery themes

+

Solid value rating from wearers seeking independent gourmand perfumes

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

−

Multiple reviewers report a chalky chewable vitamin dry-down on skin

−

Some wearers find the initial cherry scent artificial and reminiscent of air freshener

−

Heavily polarizing overall rating sitting at 3.71 out of 5

−

Longevity votes lead with moderate rather than extended all-day wear

−

Too dense, boozy, and sweet for hot summer temperatures

−

Lacks versatility for professional or corporate daytime office settings

−

Extreme gourmand sweetness can become cloying if oversprayed

−

Not suitable for shoppers who dislike alcohol-tinged fragrance profiles

Fragranxe Review

EDITORIAL
“Elysian Black Forest Bourbon Review: Boozy Chocolate Cherries”

Black Forest Bourbon by Elysian opens with an unmistakable splash of dark fruit and sweet alcohol. From the very first spray, the top notes of cherry and rum deliver a syrupy, cocktail-like richness reminiscent of Luxardo cherries steeped in dark spirits. There is no subtle introductory whisper here; the fragrance announces itself immediately with a heavy dose of sweetness that commands attention.

As the initial alcohol flash calms down after twenty minutes, the middle notes emerge to reshape the scent. Dark chocolate and roasted coffee push to the front, giving the fragrance the unmistakable texture of a dense dessert. A gentle rose note weaves through the mid-phase, lending a soft floral cushion that prevents the cocoa from smelling purely powdery. As it transitions further into the dry-down, the base notes of almond, vanilla, caramel, and sandalwood wrap the blend in a warm, nutty, and woody confection.

Across several hours, the dominant accords shift from sharp boozy cherry toward an earthy, sweet pastry profile. The warm spicy and nutty facets become more pronounced as the rum subsides, while the caramel and vanilla maintain a lingering sugary baseline. Sandalwood grounds the mixture in dry woodiness, ensuring the chocolate and almond do not completely dissolve into syrup. The progression feels rich and indulgent, though wearers note that skin chemistry dictates whether it stays rich or turns dry and powdery.

Community votes place performance squarely in the moderate tier. With 6 votes for moderate longevity alongside 3 for long lasting and 2 for eternal, most wearers can expect roughly 4 to 8 hours of noticeable presence. Sillage follows a similar pattern with 6 moderate votes, projecting out to arm's length for the first two hours before settling into a closer scent bubble. Given its warmth and density, this fragrance thrives in cool autumn weather and frigid winter nights, making it an excellent companion for holiday parties, relaxed evenings, and intimate dinner dates.

This perfume suits dedicated gourmand enthusiasts who want a rich, boozy cherry treat without medicinal harshness or sharp citrus distractions. However, shoppers who dislike overly sweet compositions or powdery dry-downs should be cautious. Multiple community reviewers note that the base can occasionally read like chewable children's vitamins or air freshener on certain skin types.

Ultimately, Black Forest Bourbon by Elysian accomplishes exactly what its name promises: a decadent blend of boozy fruit, cocoa, and warm amber-like sweetness. It is not an everyday office scent, nor is it designed for summer heat. Because the cherry and chocolate base can polarize wearers, ordering a sample before purchasing a full bottle is the wisest path forward.

FRAGRANXE EDITORIAL

FAQs

What does Black Forest Bourbon smell like?+

Black Forest Bourbon smells like boozy dark cherries dipped in rich dark chocolate with a warm vanilla finish. It opens with a potent blast of cherry liqueur and aged rum before transitioning into cocoa, roasted coffee, and soft rose. The base settles into almond, sweet caramel, and smooth sandalwood, delivering a dessert-like experience that gourmand fragrance lovers will immediately recognize.

How long does Black Forest Bourbon by Elysian last?+

Black Forest Bourbon typically lasts between 4 and 8 hours on the skin. Community votes show a majority of 6 votes for moderate longevity, with 3 votes for long lasting and 2 for eternal. Wearers find that the boozy cherry top notes fade within the first hour, while the chocolate, vanilla, and sandalwood base endures nicely.

How does the opening of Black Forest Bourbon compare to its dry-down?+

The fragrance opens with bright, boozy cherry rum but dries down into a warm chocolate and vanilla base. The initial spray is intensely sweet and liquor-forward. Over several hours, the boozy punch recedes, revealing roasted coffee, almond, and sandalwood, though several wearers note that the dry-down can develop a powdery or vitamin-like quality on certain skin types.

What is the sillage and projection of Black Forest Bourbon?+

Black Forest Bourbon projects with moderate strength, creating an arm's length scent trail. Six community voters rate its projection as moderate, while two rate it enormous and one strong. It projects noticeably for the first hour thanks to strong rum notes, but settles into an intimate scent bubble that will not overwhelm shared indoor environments.

Is Black Forest Bourbon by Elysian for men or women?+

Black Forest Bourbon is a unisex perfume that leans slightly feminine due to its intense sweetness. Community gender votes show 5 votes for female and 4 for unisex. The pairing of bitter dark chocolate, rum, and sandalwood brings balanced warmth, making it wearable for anyone who enjoys dark, liquor-tinged gourmand fragrances regardless of gender.

What season is best for wearing Black Forest Bourbon?+

Fall and winter are the best seasons to wear Black Forest Bourbon. Community seasonal votes strongly favor cooler weather, recording 8 votes for autumn and 6 for winter compared to just 3 each for spring and summer. The dense blend of caramel, chocolate, rum, and vanilla provides warming comfort that easily cuts through chilly air.

What occasions suit Black Forest Bourbon best?+

Black Forest Bourbon works best for evening dates, casual nights out, and festive cold-weather parties. Its rich, boozy gourmand profile feels celebratory and relaxed rather than formal. It is generally too heavy and sweet for professional corporate meetings, gym sessions, or warm daytime outings where lighter scents are preferred.

What perfumes are similar to Black Forest Bourbon?+

Black Forest Bourbon is frequently compared to boozy cherry scents like The 7 Virtues Cherry Ambition and Tom Ford Lost Cherry. Reviewers note it mimics the boozy cherry profile of Cherry Ambition without the heavy saffron, while adding chocolate notes reminiscent of a dessert. It also shares the warm liquor atmosphere of Kilian Angels' Share.

Is Black Forest Bourbon a good blind buy or should you sample first?+

You should definitely sample Black Forest Bourbon before committing to a full bottle. While fans love its decadent chocolate-covered cherry profile, multiple reviewers report that the dry-down turns powdery or medicinal, resembling chewable vitamins. Because skin chemistry heavily influences whether the base smells like creamy cocoa or chalky fruit, testing a sample is recommended.

How should you apply Black Forest Bourbon for best results?+

Apply Black Forest Bourbon with two to three sprays on clean pulse points like the neck and wrists. Because the rum and cherry top notes are strong and syrupy, excessive spraying can become cloying indoors. Letting it settle naturally onto warm skin without rubbing helps the dark chocolate and rose heart emerge smoothly.

Rankings

Full rankings
Overall#24,651
Top Rated#19,993
Most Reviewed#16,836
Best Longevity#74,772
Best Sillage#71,343
Price Value#70,415

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Dupes & Alternatives

COMMUNITY DUPESCORE

Wearers frequently compare Black Forest Bourbon to boozy or spicy cherry benchmarks. The 7 Virtues Cherry Ambition offers a similar cherry liquor sensation but leans drier with strong saffron spice. Tom Ford Lost Cherry shares the boozy almond aspect but lacks the rich dark chocolate and roasted coffee found here. Kilian Angels' Share captures a comparable liquor-soaked dessert atmosphere, though it focuses on spiced apple cognac rather than cocoa and cherries.

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Scent of the Day · Friday, Nov 13

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Black Forest BourbonElysian
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