21 vs Encre Noire

Costume National 21 is a highly regarded but underappreciated fragrance featuring a distinctive milky saffron spice composition. Community members who own it consider it an excellent daily driver and personal favorite, though it receives limited discussion overall in the r/fragrance community.

The r/fragrance community views Encre Noire as an excellent value niche fragrance with distinctive character, praised for its woody, cypress-driven composition and quality at its price point. However, it's highly polarizing due to its dark, dry, and uncompromising nature that appeals primarily to fragrance enthusiasts rather than mass audiences. The flankers (Sport and A L'Extreme) offer more wearable alternatives while the original remains the most character-driven option.