HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON · 2026
Man in Black vs Carlisle
Which should you buy? Full side-by-side breakdown of notes, performance, seasons, value, and our verdict.
QUICK VERDICT
Carlisle is the stronger performer, with better projection and longevity than Man in Black. Choose Carlisle when you want a fragrance that announces itself and lasts the full day.
PERFORMANCE METRICS
78/100
Longevity
86/100
72/100
Sillage
85/100
35%
Day Wear
35%
65%
Night Wear
65%
15%
Spring
15%
5%
Summer
10%
35%
Autumn
40%
45%
Winter
35%
182
Value (lower price wins)
43
Man in Black
Top
Spiced Rum, Tobacco, Bergamot
Heart
Tuberose, Iris, Leather
Base
Tonka Bean, Amber, Benzoin
Carlisle
Top
Apple, Nutmeg, Bergamot
Heart
Jasmine, Patchouli, Cinnamon
Base
Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood
Shared Notes (2)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Man in Black or Carlisle better?
Carlisle is the stronger performer, with better projection and longevity than Man in Black. Choose Carlisle when you want a fragrance that announces itself and lasts the full day.
Which lasts longer, Man in Black or Carlisle?
Carlisle lasts longer. Man in Black is rated long lasting (7h - 10h) while Carlisle is rated long lasting (8h - 12h).
Do Man in Black and Carlisle smell similar?
They share 2 notes: Bergamot, Amber. There is some overlap, but each retains a distinct identity.
AdeGbe is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission from retailers such as Amazon, FragranceNet, Sephora, and Lookfantastic. This never affects the price you pay, and it never influences our reviews, scores, or rankings — our editorial verdicts are independent.