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Greetings, gentlemen. This week, I’ve been wearing Ralph Lauren’s Polo Black, a fragrance that often flies under the radar in the brand’s lineup. It was released in 2005 and composed by Pierre Negrin. It’s generally considered a tropical, woody, aromatic fragrance, which sounds promising, right? Especially as it is summertime.

Well, don’t get too excited just yet.

I also wore this fragrance a few weeks ago, intending to write a full review, but I never got around to it. Let’s just say my experience with it was not quite what I expected. In this article, I’ll explore the pros and cons that will help you make a more informed decision before you reach for your credit card.

Let me first start by saying that I am a dedicated fan of the Ralph Lauren brand and its fragrances. Polo Green is my favourite, and you can check out my full review of that little beauty here. I’ve also recently reviewed Polo Red Parfum, Polo Blue EDP and Polo Safari (Safari being my second favourite).

So, is Polo Black a fragrance that truly deserves your attention and time? Let’s find out.

Here’s my humble opinion.

Appearance and Presentation

The bottle design is the same as the other EDTs (Eau de Toilettes) in the RL lineup, except that it is black, of course. I like these designs; they are simple, elegant, and classy. They look fantastic on your shelf, especially if you have a collection.

It’s a thumbs-up from me, guys. You simply can’t go wrong with an RL fragrance bottle (most of the time).

Price and where to buy

Polo Black’s price point aligns with its counterparts, even though the quality is not entirely up to scratch compared to the others. Therefore, in my view, the price is unjustified.

You can find it online in most of the usual places without issue. The latest version on Amazon is below, and the current asking price may surprise you.

The note list

Mango, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Patchouli, Tonka Bean, Sage, Lemon, Wormwood

Thoughts on the scent

Now then, with a note list like this, you might be expecting something a little out of the ordinary (I know I was). However, while pleasant, Polo Black’s scent is not a departure from the familiar, I’m afraid. It’s fresh, with a hint of fruity sweetness and some exotic undertones, but it’s still one of those everyday scents we’ve all encountered a thousand times before.

The woods emerge as it transitions into the mid with some prominent sandalwood and tonka bean notes, yet it remains essentially a “linear scent” for the most part, which is disappointing.

This is a lazy attempt at making a mass-appealing product, relying on the brand’s good reputation to sell units. While Polo Black isn’t a “bad fragrance” at all, it’s not the same quality that I would typically expect from Ralph Lauren. Instead, it’s a fresh, generic ‘mall scent’—the kind of fragrance you’d expect to encounter while strolling through a department store. It’s acceptable, but it doesn’t stand out, and for me, it smells a bit like an annoying insurance salesman wearing a cheap, shiny suit.

It’s harsh, I know, but honest.

Performance

Let’s be clear about one thing: the performance is laughable. It projects for less than an hour, and after about 2 hours, the smell is entirely undetectable, even as a skin scent. This lack of longevity and projection is unusual for a typical Ralph Lauren fragrance.

To give you some idea, I sprayed this stuff before I left the house about an hour ago and can barely smell it all.

Compliments

If someone were able to smell the damn thing for long enough, you might be lucky enough to receive a compliment or two. However, it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression and won’t make you stand out in a crowd. This lack of a ‘wow’ factor may disappoint those seeking a fragrance that garners a lot of positive attention.

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When to wear

As we know, freshies like this can be worn all year round without causing any issues, although the best results will be achieved in the summertime.

Where to wear

As with most others in this category, Polo Black is well suited for casual day wear. If it weren’t for the performance issue, I would recommend it as an everyday office wearer, as it’s straightforward and inoffensive. That said, there are much cheaper and better-performing alternatives to consider here, such as Nautica Voyage, another freshie that blows this out of the water (no pun intended) regarding sillage and longevity.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Versatile and can be worn all year round for pretty much any occasion
• Inoffensive and pleasant-smelling
• Cool bottle design
• Fruity and tropical undertones

Cons

• Linear and generic
• Ununique
• Poor sillage and longevity
• Overpriced and not as good as other Ralph Lauren fragrances
• Overall, it is a weak and forgettable scent

Conclusion

So there you have it, gentleman. It was a mediocre release that, quite frankly, could have been much better. Given the asking price and the fact that you will undoubtedly get much more bang for your buck elsewhere, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

I put together The Ultimate Fragrance Cheat Sheet—a no-fluff guide that covers everything from notes and families to shopping smart and applying like a pro.

It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.