Crabtree & Evelyn — Black Absinthe
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.