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What does Midnight Special smell like?

Midnight Special is a bold, nocturnal interpretation of the classic rose-oud profile, characterized by its "spicy sweet" classification. The opening is sharp and energetic, led by the heat of black pe...

Details

House: Ex Nihilo
Gender: unisex
Year: 2017
Longevity: 8.3 / 10
Sillage: 7.7 / 10
Scent Profile: Spicy, Floral, Sweet, Oriental, Woody
Best Seasons: Fall, Winter
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Olivier Pescheux

Community Insights

0

The consensus on performance is highly positive, with users noting that it delivers significantly better longevity and presence than many other releases from the house, often lasting well into the next day on clothing.
It is frequently categorized as an evening and night-out scent, with the community agreeing its dense, spicy profile is best suited for fall and winter temperatures rather than the heat of summer.
Many enthusiasts compare the scent profile to high-end oriental blends like those found in the Initio or Parfums de Marly lineups, specifically for its ability to balance animalic woody notes with intense sweetness.
While it is marketed as unisex, some debate exists within the community regarding its lean; the rose jam and vanilla elements attract those who prefer gourmand-leaning florals, while the oud and saffron appeal to those who favor traditional masculine woods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this fragrance handle longevity compared to other Ex Nihilo scents?+

While some fragrances from this house are noted for being lighter, Midnight Special is a notable exception. It is recognized for its strong performance, lasting through a full evening and often remaining detectable on skin and fabric for over twelve hours.

Is this suitable for the office or daytime wear?+

Because of its "spicy sweet" nature and heavy accords of oud and rose jam, most find it too potent for a professional office environment. It is primarily recommended for evening events, leisure, or cold-weather wear where the air can carry its density more effectively.

How prominent is the oud note in this composition?+

The oud is a foundational base note that provides a woody, slightly dark backbone to the scent. It is not overly medicinal or "barnyard," but rather a smooth, oriental woodiness that complements the sweetness of the vanilla and Turkish rose.

Can this be worn by both men and women?+

Yes, it is designed as a unisex fragrance. It balances traditionally feminine notes like rose jam and vanilla with traditionally masculine notes like black pepper, saffron, and oud, making it versatile for anyone who enjoys bold, oriental-floral perfumes.

Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Unisex Fragrances3693 2010s Fragrances3361 Fragrances Starting With M479

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from $356.29· Checked Jun 26 Compare

$356.29

Typical priceChecked Jun 26

FragranceNetTrusted

Buy now

We may earn a commission.

$356.29

Typical priceChecked Jun 26

FragranceNetTrusted

Buy now

We may earn a commission.

What does Midnight Special smell like?

Midnight Special is a bold, nocturnal interpretation of the classic rose-oud profile, characterized by its "spicy sweet" classification. The opening is sharp and energetic, led by the heat of black pe...

Details

House: Ex Nihilo
Gender: unisex
Year: 2017
Longevity: 8.3 / 10
Sillage: 7.7 / 10
Scent Profile: Spicy, Floral, Sweet, Oriental, Woody
Best Seasons: Fall, Winter
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Olivier Pescheux

Community Insights

0

The consensus on performance is highly positive, with users noting that it delivers significantly better longevity and presence than many other releases from the house, often lasting well into the next day on clothing.
It is frequently categorized as an evening and night-out scent, with the community agreeing its dense, spicy profile is best suited for fall and winter temperatures rather than the heat of summer.
Many enthusiasts compare the scent profile to high-end oriental blends like those found in the Initio or Parfums de Marly lineups, specifically for its ability to balance animalic woody notes with intense sweetness.
While it is marketed as unisex, some debate exists within the community regarding its lean; the rose jam and vanilla elements attract those who prefer gourmand-leaning florals, while the oud and saffron appeal to those who favor traditional masculine woods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this fragrance handle longevity compared to other Ex Nihilo scents?+

While some fragrances from this house are noted for being lighter, Midnight Special is a notable exception. It is recognized for its strong performance, lasting through a full evening and often remaining detectable on skin and fabric for over twelve hours.

Is this suitable for the office or daytime wear?+

Because of its "spicy sweet" nature and heavy accords of oud and rose jam, most find it too potent for a professional office environment. It is primarily recommended for evening events, leisure, or cold-weather wear where the air can carry its density more effectively.

How prominent is the oud note in this composition?+

The oud is a foundational base note that provides a woody, slightly dark backbone to the scent. It is not overly medicinal or "barnyard," but rather a smooth, oriental woodiness that complements the sweetness of the vanilla and Turkish rose.

Can this be worn by both men and women?+

Yes, it is designed as a unisex fragrance. It balances traditionally feminine notes like rose jam and vanilla with traditionally masculine notes like black pepper, saffron, and oud, making it versatile for anyone who enjoys bold, oriental-floral perfumes.

What are the main differences between this and a standard rose fragrance?+

Unlike a fresh or "green" rose, Midnight Special focuses on a "rose jam" accord. This makes it much sweeter and more syrupy, flavored by cinnamon and saffron rather than dew or leaves.

Does the grapefruit note make it smell like a citrus perfume?+

Not primarily. The grapefruit acts as a fleeting top-to-heart notes brightener. It serves to provide a brief acidity that prevents the rose jam and vanilla from becoming cloying, but the overall character remains woody and spicy.

Accords

Notes

TopSaffron//Black pepper//Cinnamon

HeartRose jam//Turkish rose//Grapefruit

BaseOud//Patchouli//Vanilla

Where to buy Midnight Special

from $356.29 (100ml) · 1 retailer

Every retailer shown here is a seller we’ve vetted.

100ml

Checked Jun 26

FragranceNet

$356.29Buy

Today's best price of $356.29 is about the typical price for this size, based on 14 days of tracking.

Price history

100ml price trendAt tracked low of $356.29

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Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.

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Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Unisex Fragrances3693 2010s Fragrances3361 Fragrances Starting With M479