Drakkar Noir Review – Everything To Know

Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche is an American staple among men’s fragrances. The scent has been around for decades making it’s lasting power undeniable and mostly, unrivaled. While it isn’t as popular as it was in its hey days of the 80s and 90s, it’s still an option for some men. Also, because of it’s extreme popularity in the aformentioned decades, Drakkar Noir is a favorite nostalgia gift or addition to a costume that’s reflective of the 80s and 90s.

Our Drakkar Noir review will break down everything you need to know about this iconic fragrance.

Drakkar Noir Review – The Basics

drakkar noir review

We can thank Pierre Wargnye for creating Drakkar Noir. The fragrance was officially launched in 1982 at which point it changed our culture. As one of the first mega-popular men’s fragrances, many subsequent launches would copy it’s scent profile and racy marketing.

Before we get too deep in this Drakkar Noir review, if you’re less interested in reading and more interested in trying, we’ve got Drakkar Noir samples in stock. Not only are these samples an excellent way to try the scent, but they can be the perfect gift for someone who’s still in love with the 1980s and 1990s.

Some might say that your dad used Drakkar Noir to entice your mom on that infamous first date. Drakkar Noir has legendary status in today’s world. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a serious scent. Many love this fragrance as a powerful, masculine scent with its old school play.

Drakkar Noir packaging is mysterious, dark, and although created in the 1980s, feels modern.

What Does Drakkar Noir Smell Like?

Drakkar Noir is an aromatic fougere fragrance. The top notes are lavender, bergamot, mint, rosemary, lemon, basil, artemisia. In the middle, Wargnye used coriander, carnation, juniper, wormwoood, jasmine, angelica/ He finished it off with leather, fir, sandalewood, oakmoss, vitiver, cedar, resins, amber, patchoili.

Already, we can visually see that Drakkar Noir offers a complex scent profile. There were no shortcuts taken with this one.

Our closest comparison would be Dior Sauvage Elixir.

Expect a spicey opening followed by woodsy accords peppered in with a mild citrus. Later on, the leathery, oak notes rise up to neutralize the opening.

Expect Drakkar Noir to last for around 6 to 8 hours which is not too bad.

Cost

And now for the really good news – Drakkar Noir can be picked up for around $25. Great price point for a legendary fragrance.

Drakkar Noir in Press, Commercials

This 1992 Drakkar Noir commercial features a fearless and sexy boxer about to take a step into the ring while his sexier girlfriend runs towards the ring. There’s a short training montage, because, of course there is. This is as 1990s of a commercial as they come. The music is equally 90s, maybe even 80s, feeling very Magnum P.I. If you grew up in the 90s, this Drakkar Noir commercial will take you down nostalgia lane, no doubt. If you didn’t, you’ll probably feel very out of place. But no one can deny this Drakkar Noir commercial’s sex appeal.

Final Notes

Drakkar Noir is an iconic men’s fragrance that remains popular today, both for its cultural impacts and for it’s scent profile. It last a decent while, it’s affordable, and its ultra-masculine. We definitely recommend trying it out or gifting it to that friend who misses the 80s and 90s a little too much.