HFC
SHADE OF CHOCOLATE

2017

PERFUMER
Vincent Ricord

Cacao
Pink Pepper
Bergamot

Coffee
Black Tea
Jasmine

Patchouli
Tonka Bean
Sandalwood

Shade of chocolate opens very nice. It’s like dark chocolate, ever so slightly fruity, but mostly a spicier one. The only spice listed is pink pepper, but you get a tingling, almost smoky sensation (perhaps bitterness from a coffee note has a hand in this).

It’s rather dry, almost powdery at first. I was quite surprised with the coffee coming through, because I often don’t detect that note and I was expecting a full on sweeter scent. Of course the coffee scent here is also sweet (with tonka and cacao), but overall it’s more bitter and peppery than I’d anticipated in the opening hour.

Texture wise it reminds me a bit of Spontaneous Generosity by State Of Mind, and actually, minus the cherry in that, the scent is in same broad direction. It’s dry, almost ozonic and smoky, but on the darker side and it isn’t as fleeting as the texture at first seems to me.

While it has a strong gourmand component, it’s not overly edible/drinkable; it’s clearly a perfume and there’s a traditionally feminine leaning tinge throughout.

The drydown is a bit more basic; somewhat reminding me of Kayali’s popular Vanilla 28. Overall, pretty solid release from HFC and one that I could definitely see as a huge crowd-pleaser.