Black PepperOpens with
CypressHeart
VetiverDries down to
Irina BurlakovaThe nose · 5 fragrances · also made Ralph Fresh (2015)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Alfred Dunhill · Sold as masculine
Desire Black
The moment you step into a sleek, modern office — where zesty freshness meets warm, woody sophistication and every note feels intentional.
Full bottle: Mid-range tier, typically $40–100. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Desire BlackMid-range · $40–100
53%Similar accords, often for lessAristocrat Coastal · AjmalBudget tier, under $40 · shares 5 of its 8 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2014 by Alfred Dunhill, Desire Black is a fragrance that perfectly encapsulates the brand’s tradition of blending classic elegance with modern sophistication. Created by perfumer Irina Burlakova, this Oriental Fougere composition opens with the bright freshness of bergamot and grapefruit, followed by the warm spiciness of black pepper and saffron. The heart notes of rose and olibanum add a touch of depth and complexity, while vetiver and amber provide an earthy base that grounds the entire fragrance.
Desire Black has a strong opening that fades quickly, so aim for two sprays to ensure the base notes have time to develop. The composition is best suited for daytime wear as it balances bright top notes with earthy warmth without overpowering.
Fig. 01 — Desire Black, Alfred Dunhill
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Irina Burlakova
From Riga to a global fine fragrance careerIrina Burlakova is a perfumer born in Riga, Latvia, who studied chemistry in Paris before joining ISIPCA in Versailles and training at the Givaudan Perfumery School.
Designer Alfred Dunhill
More from the house · United Kingdom
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalDesire BlackAlfred Dunhill · Mid-range · $40–100Ajmal · 2024Aristocrat CoastalShares 5 of its 8 notesunder $40★ 3.71 (51)
With House Of Sillage Hufflepuff™ Parfum
Adds vanilla, coconut and sweet; shares one accord.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 31%, disliked or hated by 17%.