Black Orchid Eau de Toilette (2023)

The Verdict

Tom Ford revisited the iconic Black Orchid in 2023 with this Eau de Toilette interpretation, offering a lighter doorway into one of the most recognizable fragrances of the 21st century. The original 2006 Black Orchid EDP was a polarizing tour de force -- opulent, dark, and overwhelming to many. This EDT distills that concept into something more accessible without abandoning the original's essential character of dark florals, warm spices, and earthy patchouli.

The community has received the 2023 EDT with genuine enthusiasm. Reviewers give it their highest recommendation, noting that the scent is relatively affordable by Tom Ford standards, extremely expressive in its individual phases, and performs well for an EDT. Where the original divided rooms, this version invites rather than confronts.

What It Smells Like

The opening creates enormous sweetness. Plum leads with dark, juicy fruitiness that borders on a chewing-gum quality in the first moments, but this fades relatively quickly. Patchouli appears immediately alongside the plum, providing earthy depth and a chocolatey richness that tempers the sweetness.

The heart is where the 2023 EDT finds its identity. Orchid provides the signature fantasy-floral accord, while tuberose adds a creamy, narcotic indole quality. Clove and pepper inject warmth and spice that prevent the florals from becoming too heady. Reviewers note this phase is darker and colder than the EDP -- where the EDP glows, the EDT chills. The tuberose in particular feels draped in shadow rather than bathed in light.

The base returns to patchouli, providing continuity from the opening. The drydown is sweet, floral, and powdery, with the earthiness persisting as a grounding element. After about an hour, the composition settles into a more fresh, floral character that makes it surprisingly suitable for warmer months.

When to Wear It

The 2023 EDT is significantly more versatile than the original. While autumn and winter remain its most natural seasons, reviewers note it works year-round with moderate application. Evening events, date nights, and dinner parties are ideal, but moderate spraying makes it appropriate for the office as well.

The EDT's lighter touch means it does not overwhelm in enclosed spaces the way the EDP can, opening up scenarios where the original would have been too much.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is impressive for an EDT concentration. Most reviewers report 6-7 hours of longevity, with some reporting all-day wear. The sillage is above average, commanding attention without aggressively filling a room. Several Fragrantica reviewers rated longevity and sillage at 8 out of 10.

However, it is noticeably lighter than the EDP, which is the intended trade-off. Those accustomed to the original's nuclear projection may find the EDT's reach modest by comparison. The trade-off is greater versatility -- what you lose in sheer power, you gain in wearability across more settings and seasons.

The Community Says

The community has embraced the 2023 EDT as a worthy interpretation. Fragrantica reviewers call it "intoxicating, elegant, sexy" and "absolutely unisex," noting the plum-heavy opening is amazing with the various spices and chocolatey patchouli. Parfumo reviewers describe it as sweet floral with earthiness in the background, becoming cozier near the end of wear. The Escentual blog noted it appeals more to younger women because it is floral, fruity, and sweet -- almost playful compared to the darker EDP or gourmand parfum. Some purists note the weaker sillage but acknowledge it is an EDT. Basenotes discussions position the EDT as the cooler, more shadowy counterpart -- darker, colder, more indolic. Fragrantica, Basenotes, Parfumo, and Escentual have all reviewed this release.

Who Should Buy This

The 2023 Black Orchid EDT is ideal for those who love the original's dark aesthetic but found it impractical for regular wear. If you want a sensual, earthy, floral-oriental that works across seasons and settings without overwhelming, this is the version to choose. It also serves as an excellent introduction to the Black Orchid universe for newcomers who might be intimidated by the EDP's intensity.

Purists who consider the original's overwhelming power to be the point, not a drawback, may find the EDT too tame. Those seeking a fresh or clean fragrance will still find this too dark and heavy.

The Bottom Line

Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Toilette (2023) succeeds in making one of modern perfumery's most iconic compositions genuinely wearable without stripping it of its essential character. The dark plum, earthy patchouli, and shadowy florals remain intact, simply rendered at a more inviting volume. For those who always admired Black Orchid from a distance, this EDT closes the gap beautifully.