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kenneth-cole Black
Kenneth Cole

Black

Citrus
Fresh
Floral
Green
Aromatic
Woody
Earthy
EDT · 2003 · mens

Kenneth Cole Black is an amber woody fragrance from 2003 that represents the designer's more understated approach to masculine scent. The house has long positioned itself as accessible luxury with a focus on clean, wearable compositions rather than avant-garde experimentation.

The fragrance opens with bright aromatic and green notes, leading with basil and ginger alongside a hit of mandarin orange. The heart shifts toward woodier territory, layering cedar and exotic woods with incense, lotus, and nutmeg for warmth and spice. The base anchors everything with amber, musk, and suede, rounded out by violet leaf for a softer finish. It's fundamentally a warm, woody amber with aromatic and spicy character throughout, hitting that sweet spot between fresh opening and cozy base without veering into either extreme.

This reads as a reliable everyday fragrance for someone who wants something more interesting than a basic cologne but isn't looking to make a statement. It works well for cooler months or office settings where restraint matters. If you gravitate toward The Homesteader, The Mystic, or The Sensualist, this will likely appeal to you.

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ModerateLongevity
$70Best · 100ml
$4230d Avg
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Price Comparison1 retailers · updated daily
SizeUpdated 23147m ago
$69.95
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Price History · 100ml
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Main Accordsreported by community
Citrus
33%
Fresh
67%
Floral
58%
Green
92%
Aromatic
100%
Woody
100%
Earthy
33%
Musky
58%
Powdery
58%
Amber
80%
Warm Spicy
92%
Spicy
67%
Balsamic
33%
Sweet
33%
Leather
58%
Smoky
60%
Fragrance Notesbrand verified
Top · 0–30 min
Basil
Basil
Sweet, spicy, and vividly herbal, basil has a green freshness with slightly anise-like and peppery facets that make it more complex than most culinary herbs. In perfumery it adds a lively, Mediterranean quality and pairs beautifully with citrus and woody notes. An underused note that rewards those who seek it out.
Ginger
Ginger
Warm, zesty, and slightly medicinal with a bite that sits between spice and citrus. Ginger root adds a lively, invigorating quality to fragrances, it energises rather than soothes. Depending on how it's used, it can read as fresh and zingy or warm and earthy, making it unusually versatile across fragrance families.
Mandarin Orange
Mandarin Orange
Heart · 30 min – 3 hrs
Cedar
Cedar
Exotic Woods
Exotic Woods
Incense
Incense
The dry, smoky, slightly woody scent of burning resin, incense in perfumery usually means frankincense or similar resins, adding a contemplative, almost spiritual quality. It creates distance and mystery, making fragrances feel larger than they are. A hallmark of niche, serious perfumery.
Lotus
Lotus
Serene, aquatic, and faintly sweet, lotus sits between a water lily and a white floral, with a cool, meditative quality. It's simultaneously clean and warm, suggesting the scent of still water and temple incense. Frequently found in Asian-influenced and spa-inspired fragrances for its calm, contemplative character.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg
Warm, woody, and softly spiced with a slight sweetness that makes it gentler than clove or pepper. Nutmeg adds a quiet, autumnal warmth to fragrances without sharpness. It blends seamlessly into woody and oriental bases, acting more as a supporting character than a lead note.
Base · 3–12 hrs
Amber
Amber
A warm, resinous accord rather than a single ingredient, amber is typically built from labdanum, benzoin, and vanilla to create a rich, honeyed, almost solar warmth. It's the quintessential base-note family, adding a comforting richness that makes fragrances feel complete. The difference between a fragrance feeling cold and feeling alive.
Musk
Musk
The base layer of almost every modern fragrance, a soft, warm, skin-like scent that extends longevity and bridges other notes together. Natural musk was once derived from deer (now banned); today's musks are synthetic and range from clean and soapy to dark and animalic. The right musk makes a fragrance smell like 'you.'
Suede
Suede
Soft, slightly powdery, and skin-warm, suede accord in perfumery captures the scent of fine-grained leather without the raw animal quality of heavy leather notes. It's simultaneously woody and musky, creating a second-skin warmth that feels intimate and tactile. The note that makes certain fragrances feel like cashmere.
Violet Leaf
Violet Leaf
Who Wears ThisScent DNA matches
🏡
The HomesteaderBest match85% match
Rooted, warm, and entirely self-sufficient.

Warm skin musks, sandalwood, soft cedar, clean vetiver. Grounding, intimate, unhurried.

🌙
The Mystic83% match
You wear what others can't place — and that's exactly the point.

Warm incense, dry resins, airy woods, smoke with softness. Never obvious.

🔥
The Sensualist83% match
You fill the room without trying.

Warm, smooth, projecting. Leather, tobacco, dry amber, bold woods.

Based on this fragrance's accord profile · Find your Scent DNA →
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Rate this fragrance
0255075100
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Most Popular with this Scent DNA Type?
🏡
The Homesteader
Rooted, warm, and entirely self-sufficient.
Warm skin musks, sandalwood, soft cedar, clean vetiver. Grounding, intimate, unhurried.
Discover your type →
Scent Profile
Citrus33%Fresh67%Floral58%Green92%Aromatic100%
Fragrance Family
Amber/Woody
EDT

kenneth-cole Black— Prices, Coupons & Buying Guide

Best price today: Black is $69.95. Without a coupon the lowest price is $69.95. Gush tracks 47+ retailers updated every 2 hours.

Are grey market retailers authentic?

Yes. Jomashop, FragranceNet, and MaxAroma sell 100% authentic kenneth-cole fragrances through unofficial distribution channels. The fragrance is identical to department store stock. Grey market refers to the supply chain, not product quality. The price difference comes entirely from the distribution channel.

Frequently asked questions

Cheapest price for kenneth-cole Black? +
$69.95 at Perfumania. Gush compares 47+ retailers updated every 2 hours.
What does kenneth-cole Black smell like? +
Kenneth Cole Black is an amber woody fragrance from 2003 that represents the designer's more understated approach to masculine scent. The house has long positioned itself as accessible luxury with a focus on clean, wearable compositions rather than avant-garde experimentation. The fragrance opens with bright aromatic and green notes, leading with basil and ginger alongside a hit of mandarin orange. The heart shifts toward woodier territory, layering cedar and exotic woods with incense, lotus, and nutmeg for warmth and spice. The base anchors everything with amber, musk, and suede, rounded out by violet leaf for a softer finish. It's fundamentally a warm, woody amber with aromatic and spicy character throughout, hitting that sweet spot between fresh opening and cozy base without veering into either extreme. This reads as a reliable everyday fragrance for someone who wants something more interesting than a basic cologne but isn't looking to make a statement. It works well for cooler months or office settings where restraint matters. If you gravitate toward The Homesteader, The Mystic, or The Sensualist, this will likely appeal to you.
What are the notes in kenneth-cole Black? +
Top: Basil, Ginger, Mandarin Orange. Heart: Cedar, Exotic Woods, Incense, Lotus, Nutmeg. Base: Amber, Musk, Suede, Violet Leaf.
What fragrance family is Black? +
kenneth-cole Black belongs to the Amber/Woody fragrance family. It is an EDT.
What is a grey market fragrance retailer? +
Grey market retailers sell authentic fragrances sourced through unofficial distribution -- typically excess inventory from authorized distributors. The product is real and identical to retail. FragranceNet (est. 1997), Jomashop, and MaxAroma are well-established with millions of verified reviews.

Gush earns a commission on purchases at no cost to you · Prices update every 2 hours · Coupon success rates based on affiliate feed data · Grey market = authentic, unofficial supply chain