The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Nicolas Beaulieu released Black Wood N°28 in 2012. The number system was straightforward: a figure assigned to each composition rather than a poetic name. Black Wood focuses on cedar as the central material, treating it not as an accent but as the dominant presence throughout the composition. The lemon opening serves a specific purpose: it provides brightness and contrast against the wood, so the drydown feels earned and warm rather than simply sweet. The number designation signals a particular approach to the work, prioritizing the material over narrative.
The note structure is deliberately sparse. Lemon, patchouli, and cedar form the core, but the interplay between them suggests a richer foundation than simple linearity. This approach is somewhat unusual in woody masculine compositions, which often layer in additional elements to add drama. Black Wood N°28 takes a different direction. The lemon top note acts as a genuine counterweight to the cedar, creating an opening that feels crisp and deliberate. Patchouli provides continuity throughout, smoothing the transition from citrus to wood and preventing the shift from feeling abrupt.
The evolution
The opening hits clean and bright. Lemon arrives sharp and stays prominent for a significant portion of the wear, letting the fragrance announce itself before stepping back. Patchouli works alongside the citrus from the beginning, adding an earthy undertone that prevents the opening from reading as purely fresh. The heart phase is where patchouli takes over more fully. The citrus softens, the cedar builds underneath, and the composition settles into something warm and grounded. This is the longest phase, the part that carries through most of the wear. The drydown belongs entirely to cedar. Clean, slightly resinous, warm without being heavy. It lingers. The cedar maintains its presence as the focus of the final phase, with the patchouli continuing to support the composition as the drydown unfolds.
Cultural impact
The discovery story tells its own truth: found at Action in Belgium for under ten euros, it offers a clear cedar character that speaks for itself. That's the quiet argument at the heart of independent perfumery, the price tag tells you nothing about what ended up in the bottle.
