# Crabtree & Evelyn — Black Absinthe

> Black Absinthe is a discontinued 2015 aromatic cologne built around fennel, star anise, wormwood, artemisia, licorice, and vetiver. It is an unusually dark herbal departure for a botanical bath-and-bo

## Essence
Black Absinthe is a discontinued 2015 aromatic cologne built around fennel, star anise, wormwood, artemisia, licorice, and vetiver. It is an unusually dark herbal departure for a botanical bath-and-body house.
## Scent Profile
Fennel and anise arrive with a sweet-bitter absinthe impression. Wormwood and artemisia make the opening greener and more medicinal than a candy-like licorice fragrance.
Lavender, licorice, and a dusty tonka-like softness develop through the middle. Vetiver and sandalwood keep the base light, dry, and faintly smoky rather than turning it into a heavy gourmand.
## Performance
The opening can be forceful, but outward presence often drops quickly. The lingering base can remain close to skin, making total longevity variable.
## Wearing Context
Cool weather and casual evening use suit its bitter, bohemian herbal mood. The licorice signature is too distinctive for a conventional office scent.
## Comparisons & DNA
Taste of Heaven and Memoir Man are useful absinthe-family references. Black Absinthe is lighter and more cologne-like, focused on literal herbal licorice.
## Reception
Its supporters prize a faithful, characterful absinthe treatment and its refreshing weight. The disagreement centers on inconsistent performance, synthetic facets, and the awkward splash presentation.
## Versions & Reformulation
This limited Heritage Collection release is discontinued, with no documented reformulation.
## Acquisition Notes
It was sold in a 100 ml splash bottle without an atomizer. Current acquisition is an old-stock or resale search, and careful application helps avoid overdoing the opening. A decant is the easiest way to test the unusual profile before committing to a full bottle.
## Notable Facts & Lore
- Its freshness is unusual for such a licorice-heavy composition, which is why the cologne frame remains important to its identity.
- Cyrill Rolland built the composition from licorice-adjacent materials.
- It was an award-recognized release during 2015.
- The spray-less splash bottle became its most repeated practical complaint.