Nasomatto Black Afgano (U) Extrait De Parfum 30 ml

Nasomatto Black Afgano is one of the most talked-about niche fragrances ever released, and it earned that reputation by being genuinely uncompromising. Created by Alessandro Gualtieri after six years of development and launched in 2009, it opens dark and green, herbal and resinous, with none of the sweetness or freshness most fragrances lead with. The liquid itself is near-black in the bottle, under Nasomatto's hand-carved wooden cap.

The heart is where it settles into its character: tobacco, coffee, dark resins and woods, dry and smoky rather than sweet, before a base of incense and oud takes it deeper still. It is more atmosphere than perfume, dense, meditative, and unmistakable at a distance, which is why it has become a benchmark for anyone exploring dark woody scents.

Nasomatto works exclusively in extrait concentration, and Black Afgano is famous for its longevity, two drops last the day and leave a trail long after. This is the 30ml bottle, the only size Nasomatto produces. It is unisex, though it leans dark and masculine, and it suits evenings and cooler weather. At Konesseur, fragrances sit alongside the watches and leather goods, all stocked in Dubai. Explore more perfumes to compare.

• Fragrance and family: Nasomatto Black Afgano, Extrait de Parfum, 30ml, woody aromatic (2009, Alessandro Gualtieri)
• Notes: top green and herbal notes; heart tobacco, resins, coffee, woods; base incense, oud
• Best for: evenings and cooler weather, unisex with a dark masculine lean, exceptional longevity, apply sparingly