Fiero

Citrus-based fragrances rarely hold my attention for long. More often than not, I find them generic, hard to distinguish, and ultimately forgettable. But Xerjoff’s Fiero tells a different story entirely. For some context: Fiero launched in 2009/2010 as part of the Casamorati 1888 collection. The perfumer behind it is Chris Maurice (Christian Carbonnel), a name well-respected for creating richly layered compositions... he is the man behind Monkey Special, just to mention one. Fiero is a fresh, citrus-forward fragrance that blurs into the familiar contours of a barbershop scent, but then veers off into its own territory. It unfolds in clear, well-structured phases — a complexity that, in my view, earns it a firm spot in the “niche-worthy” category and justifies its (often discounted) price tag. One of Fiero’s standout qualities is longevity. This scent will stay on you, clinging to skin and especially fabric well into the next day. I usually go for 6 to 10 sprays. A very liberal hand isn’t offensive here, and it creates a comforting scent bubble that accompanies you throughout the day. Versatility is another strength. While leaning masculine, Fiero could be unisex. It’s perfectly office-safe yet playful enough to pair with jeans and a t-shirt on casual days out. The scent profile is a journey worth highlighting. It opens with a vibrant blast of lemon, not unlike a freshly uncorked bottle of limoncello. It instantly transported me back to my visits in Sorrento, standing inside true limoncello distilleries, where the zesty, sugared and creamy citrus fills the air. About 15 minutes in, the limoncello brightness mellows into a gently sweet lime accented by a smooth, tamed mint note. This middle phase is where Fiero leans most into its barbershop DNA: clean, classic, and elegant. This phase endures easily for 6+ hours. Assuming you’ve sprayed yourself in the morning, to start the day feeling as “Fiero” as possible, you’ll encounter the dry-down as evening sets in. A whisper of lime (lemongrass?) lingers, but gradually gives way to a comforting base of sandalwood and coumarin. This phase is creamy, lightly sweet, and quietly sophisticated, with remnants that cling to your clothes well into the following day. While Fiero can suit many, I particularly recommend it for those transitioning from mainstream designer scents... especially if you’re tired of the endless stream of D&G-style zesty flankers. Fiero has quietly been holding its own for 15+ years, and thanks to its age, discounters tend to be well-stocked.

Serendipty struck! I sought alternatives using the help of the forums here and elsewhere to replace my fave Versace Green Jeans. Partial success with Horizon and Pino Sylvestre (a horrid dated synthetic - sorry). This was a blind buy I threw in with an order from Parfum Raffy as they has a smaller 30ml version (like I need another full bottle Xerjoff lol) - WOW! SO happy! So, it is typical Xerjoff - a stinker (in a good sense) - I can't fathom the reviews below saying the new bottles are poor in performance - hmm - wonder where they got their bottles??? Gorgeous burst of citrus and herbs (notably the tarragon however this is where it reminds me of Green Jeans and I swear its coriander!?). After a few minutes on the dry down a slightly camphorous pine (maybe this is the top note of the lemongrass and vetiver?) comes out on top with the neroli and citrus just below with the lemongrass and herbs just on top on the beginnings of a woody note. 30 to 60 minutes in and a succinct clear fresh top note with the vetiver, thyme, neroli (I am sure there is camphor and pine in here still though not listed) and citrus start settling down and fading and the nutmeg that has always been in the background comes to the fore gradually bringing the sandalwood and soft woody vibe into prominence as the base note. The tonka and patchouli start kicking in beyond this giving a slightly powdery feel helping the neroli give a soapy but not to soapy feel and giving the slightly old school barbershop fougere feel - all this and yet it feels refreshingly modern. Well I guess its so good I would say if you like citrus/aromatic/fougere this is the one you have to try or have. Its great for a refresh in summer or easily used in winter the powerful citrus great for a refresh but the soft herbs and woods great for warmth. Male orientated. Looks like a full size bottle purchase soon to add to my Xerjoff shelf... Happy New Year and Happy Smelling for 2019

I’m surprised that Fiero is not more popular here and on social media because it’s as good as other Xerjoff freshies and performs impeccably! While Torino 21 is literally in everyone “Top 10 best summer fragrances” quite often, I haven’t heard anyone mentioning Fiero as a Top 10 worthy contender! And it was released way before Torino 21 was launched... Fiero is not as lemon/mint heavy as Torino 21 is, because tarragon, thyme, lemon grass, neroli and nutmeg are very present in here, but it gives Fiero more depth and complexity. I think Fiero would work better in spring than Torino 21, which truly shines in the high summer heat. I have bought a bottle of Fiero recently because my husband got a crush on it after trying it in store, but the more I smell Fiero on him, the more I grew to love it. If you like a strong grassy, herbal, aromatic, slightly woody, slightly citrusy sweet perfume, I think you should get a sample of Fiero because it’s really nice and not that many people seem to have it. You’ll still have the classic Xerjoff citrusy, fresh scent but with a hint of uniqueness. I think tarragon and lemon grass are making Fiero stand out in the Xerjoff collection. So good and so underrated! More masculine leaning than Torino 21 for instance, but for those wearing unisex dominant perfumes, Fiero will work perfectly in the warmer months. Side note, I am realising that really love Chris Maurice’s work for Xerjoff! This, Lyra, La Capitale, Tony Iommi and Decas are some of my favourite Xerjoff and all done by him.

Disclaimer: I've never smelled Eau Savage (which apparently this smells like), so I might make some comparisons in on here that might upset people as there is a clear inspiration. I love lemongrass and citrus, and that is exactly what this opening note is. A lemongrass and citrus bomb that is so amazingly bubbly and refreshing. I know this is supposed to be based of older colognes/perfumes, but citrus' are super young and fun to me. Smells like a beautiful, fresh and juicy citrus that you can't help but smile at. With that though comes some "restrictions" with when you can wear this as it clearly is designed for spring and summer, but I can see anyone wearing this throughout the day time. As it dries down it becomes more about the lemongrass, mint, thyme, and vetiver: so a super citrus/fresh/green scent. I really really enjoy this, especially since I got the 30 mL on sale for like $45 on jomashop when they were hosting a sale. If my love for this scent continues to grow as I lather it on this summer, I might buy a full bottle once the seasons begin to change once again. For now though this is a staple and in the rotation for a chill and uplifting summer. Also, I get ridiculous performance out of this on clothes for a citrus scent. On my skin it lasts for a staggering 5 hours, but on my clothes its there for 24+ if not washed.

I nabbed a decant of this in a bulk auction and by golly did this one blow me away. I chewed through the decant and just HAD to pick up a full bottle. As of editing this post 4 months later, I have used half a bottle because I cant get enough of it... I've really got to stop doing this to expensive fragrances. As far as Citrus barbershop style stuff goes, I think this takes the cake for me, followed hot on its heels by Roja Scandal Parfum Cologne (which is more like eau sauvage than this is, this isnt really similar) I can't emphasize enough how amazing this smells to me and I highly recommend a decant to anybody reading. The citrus comes across green like a lime, the lemongrass compliments this perfectly. As it dries down you start getting some of the neroli and what smells like real sandalwood (literally the same sandalwood as my mysore soap) with a tiny bit of coumarin sweetness the whole way through. I'm surprised this isn't more popular. Renaissance always get the spotlight as a summer rec but smells nowhere near as nice to me. This fragrance does have evernia punastri/oakmoss in it. Not sure I really pick it out thought. It doesn't seem to fall fully into Chypre nor Fougere. EDIT: I have used 60mL of it so far.... I might need a backup. Loving it so much.