Piper Nigrum

This is no ordinary love as Sade would put it. True, this is obsession. Amazing scent that makes me swoon over the places where it's been applied, like a child excited about the promise of a new toy - no other niche perfume in many years made me salivate and simply want to run with ecstatic craving of telling "all the people" that with such a smell happiness is easy. I expected something violent and harsh, and awaited with trepidation the opening blast of eponymous black pepper and intensive herbs to cause my nostrils and brain ache, yet on me it presented a mellow and moderate side. Just a passionate mint kiss that promises a lot of sensuality and finally delivers. The most dominant notes on me are: mint, cloves, nutmeg, anise, some spices forming the curry mix and juniper. Pepper is there, but it does not pierce or force itself upon me at all. Perfect aromatic blend with ingredients of superior quality that I cannot stop inhaling. But the best is yet to come: with development to a warm, resinous, balsamic, almost smoky concoction of myrrh, benzoin and some ambery tones with... bay leaf traces, similar to those from Ambre Sultan, only ending up with ambery feel from Lubin Akkad and the fantastically sensual and enveloping aura of vintage M7. Don't know how, but this perfume carries best elements of my beloved scents, and additionally offers a unique outcome. Piper Nigrum is full of contadictions: it's cold, fresh, reserved, herbal, aromatic, and warm, sweet, salty, powdery dry, resinous, cozy and sensual at the same time. A longlasting spring/summer scent to die for and I'm so thankful I discovered it finally - with a little boosting help from a friendly and inspiring soul I simply owe a lot:)

Piper Nigrum was the first fragrance from Lorenzo Villoresi that I smelled while in a now sadly shuttered fragrance shop in Provincetown MA. I recognized the latin name for black pepper and had to give it a whirl, and I was impressed with its arresting freshness and "pop" upon application. Yes, black pepper, in spades, pungent and bracing, but invigorating to the nose. A supporting mint and clove are what elevate this effect, but do not fear: this isn't like a visit to the dentist's chair. A panoply of other spices reach through and grab the wearer lovingly, like a passionate dance partner. I also discern oregano and rosemary in the heart, lending to this showy two-step through Lorenzo Villoresi's herb and spice garden. The piquancy of Piper Nigrum may almost be too overwhelming for those who can only handle pepper, spices and herbs sweetened and softened into amber or vanilla rather than laid bare and raw. It does, however, satisfy my yen in a way that Serge Lutens Serge Noire did not, as I find that it transcends my threshold for acridness and comes off as unsettling (a review to come soon). Here, Villoresi does bring it to the brink, and those who are familiar with his perfumes know his knack for bringing on the spices. However, his works often have a rustic, rather than aloof character, and this is no exception, especially as the base of Piper Nigrum enters this phase of warm, dry balsams and incense. If you want a real "Spicebomb," you've got it here.

The "french lack of hygiene" is a urban legend . And reality is more complicated than the legend . In France we had public latrines since Louis XIII ( around 1610 ) .The Versailles smells was a mix of horses , goats , cows , knights sweat . To hide these smells , it was used bellows , pellets to burn , censers and perfumed gloves. At the Court , you had to change of clothes at least 3 times a day to be well seen .... Louis XIV possessed , not a bathroom but a full appartment with 5 rooms dedicated to his bathrooms. The bathrooms had 2 baths : one for soaping , one for rinsing. Louis XIV even had a depilated body ( an aristocratic beauty fashion canon , which was launched by Henri III , around 1570 ) Marie Antoinette took a bath everyday . Not naked .But once a day Kings had their service attendants servants only to bathrooms , they were called "etuvist swimmers" . Galimard was already making perfumes for King Louis XV in 1747 (to sum up ) There were stinky places like all around the world . Anywhere in Europe , in the 16th or 17th , 18th , 19th , 20th century , peasants and lower classes were less "clean " than aristocraty and "bourgeoisie": question of money . Paris under the Baron Haussman ( 1850- 1870 ) became one of the cleanest and modernest city in the world . It's more complicated than a legend ..

I love this fragrance especially in the summer when it manages to give its best even during the hottest ones. I consider P.N. as one of the most reliable and truly persistent fragrance so that you can successfully wear it even in the hottest August (do not forget that P.N. is only an E.d.T!) when the majority of the frags wouldn't be so 'efficient' while losing in the comparison. The starting is surprising because it explodes in a fresh/warm sequence of spices where mint and pepper are the main characters. When I say "fresh" I say so because you can feel the lowering of the temperature on your skin, a curious, mechanical effect that I couldn't stand in winter, for instance. Then, I can admire the rich number of ingredients, happily stitched together as spices, nutmeg being quite evident, herbs, woods and (.....) amber, the latest is so evident especially in the dry down when the mixture becomes "softer" like to show the other side of itself: two fragrances at once?! Not so sure, it seems that the creator has decided to "play" with the wearer... and he has done it since the very beginning: so, pay attention as it would be advisable to spry it while keeping your eyes shut. Try it, and enjoy yourself! I love P.N. Definitely. p.s. I love also the good quality of the ingredients here employed.

potent...spicy opening. it grabs your attention. I was trying to figure out what this reminded me of. what It reminds me of is the way the original Pierre Cardin Pour Monsieur made me tilt my head back. that spicy crisp but somewhat sweet aroma, this is a different fragrance than that all in but just the initial impression I got from spraying this on my wrists, a bit darker perhaps and I could be all wet but that was the first fragrance that came to mind. I see this is listed as a unisex fragrance and I guess that is fine, but to me it is as masculine as they come. it really is quite powerful in it's presentation to the wearer. I like this!! The next time I wake up in one of those moods where I don't want to take any crap from anyone I am reaching for this. after wearing this for a couple of hours the aroma of this scent softens a bit but to me it is still not changing what I thought when I first put it on. classy and I guess manly.. well blended, all of the Lorenzo Villoresi fragrances I have sniffed have impressed me, not a inexpensive line though..i don't think they cut many corners I had always planned to get around to this one. I probably need to give it more time and check it later. I am hoping this can keep up the pace. it is worth checking out.. I would call it an ass kicker.

Piper Nigrum is a day in a Mediterranean dream world. We begin in the morning, the coolness of the night still blankets the fields of wild herbs and refreshingly welcomes you at the open window of your Tuscan farmhouse. Mint and anise enliven you and prepare you for the day. A day, rich and full of nature and culture intertwined as only it is in these old, old lands. As you stroll through the streets, across the markets, you recall the merchants bringing the invaluable pepper and other spices, like nutmeg, from afar, creating powerful dynasties in the wake of their success, to which the beautiful palazzo you now admire bears witness. Beside it stands and old woman selling local herbs, fresh and dried oregano, and with the oriental odours it blends into something both invigorating and soothing, like sitting in the cool shade of ancient ochre walls on a warm day, watching life on the piazza, the plaza, in the mdinas of the Maghreb. The day passes quickly and you retire to your fireplace, burning spicy woods, with a libation of wine and warm bread, and now the pepper embraces you, with styrax and amber, like a silk and cashmere blanket, like the glow of the embers, power in the service of tranquility.

There are a lot of notes listed in this perfume. And it's true, it does smell like a herbal concoction coming from an alchemist's lab rather than perfume. And this is why I love it so much. It's very crisp, different, aromatic. Is it beautiful? I don't know... but I love the energy it eludes. Is it feminine? No. Is it masculine? No. I think it's transcendental beyond humans. It's got a vibe that detaches the wearer from reality. It start pungent, almost piercingly spicy. Then it mellows down... it gets icy cold ( yes, a little camphorous, although, to my surprize, eucalyptus isn't a note listed ). Then it gets hot.... and cold.... it's a playful game that slowly looses intensity into a fresh woody skin scent. The silage, when sprayed generously, is good. Lasting power in my skin is a little above average, on clothes much better. The bottle? Well, nice, but suprizingly similar to the L'Artisan' s bottles. Actually, wow. I wonder who copied who. Becase obviously the juices inside those bottles bear no resemblance in style. Well, Piper Nigrum is a stunning experience guaranteed to get you a lof of ..."what in the world do you smell like"? Prepare your answer in advance...

I love the smell of black pepper. In real life and, when done well, in perfume. After falling head over heels for the black pepper in Bois d’Encens, I hunted down a couple of other black pepper perfumes. Among them, Piper Nigrum. Piper Nigrum is a weird one. The first seconds are a blast of citrus and mint quickly joined by strong spices, especially staranise and cloves. The spices in this stage remind me very much of the chinese 5-spice combination. Nearly too much for my taste. But the spices quickly mellow somewhat, still dominant, but softer. With my first test, the ‘too much stage’ took a bit too long for me. On second wearing it passes quicker and I am aware of the midstage much earlier. Thank goodness, because this part is beautifull. The drydown later becomes more woody and warm from the resins, even softer. All in all, Piper Nigrum is a weird combination of spice cabinet absolue with mediterranean freshness. But while weird, I think I’ll grow to love this scent, a lot. Oh by the way, the pepper is unfortunately not so evident to my nose.

A classy, masculine, fresh-spicy green scent. I must admit I do not find this fragrance to be strange or off-putting as many previous reviews have stated. The opening is mostly green, although not traditionally green in a piercing or balsamic way. It's unique (perhaps due to the interesting inclusion of watercress). The Star anise is also quite apparent in the opening. That quickly gives way to a beautiful blend of spices that revolve mostly around clove, but are never overpowered by it. The well rounded blend of clove, star anise, black pepper and nutmeg is supported by a woody, resinous base making for a pleasant modern nod to classic fresh spicy masculine fragrances. The performance is good, expect 6-8 hours of longevity with about 2 hours of solid protection. While more is better, at this price point I'm satisfied with that, especially considering the originality here. If you like fragrances like Costume National Homme, Clive Christian X, Creed Viking, or Ormonde Jayne Man, give this a try, you'll love it.

I have smelled it a handful of times from a sample I have and I must confess I love this fragrance especially in the summer when it manages to give its best even during the hottest ones, I love also the good quality of the ingredients here employed, it is a truly niche perfume and it is perfect to summer night, the only bad this is: I just have a 1,5ml that has just finihsed. As it dries, the amber comes on board, and the scent smoothes out and sweetens. It gets richer and less "chaotic," but it never loses that raw and natural edge. It lasts almost days, really. The sillage is great - like a huge aura that surrounds the wearer. Not an overpowering presence, not one of those "wake" sort of fragrances that spew off beams of sillage, but rather a warm and slowly enveloping cloud of scent that intrigues and amazes everyone around. Try it, and enjoy yourself! Definitely it is another wonderful perfum from the house Lorenzo Villoresi.

"a rich Parisian putting on a handkerchief and using it to block out the stench of the streets." Mouarf...so cliché ...( we have water , in France, and even electricity ...since last year , you know . Well ,of course, maybe, we'll have cell phones in 10 years ...let's hope ) So , anyway , concerning Piper Nigrum . Very interesting headnotes , very spicy , invigorating ...but ..it becomes ,rather quickly, a ordinary woody masculine . Not that bad ( really , i find the headnotes wonderful , i would have liked this energy all way long. At this stage ,it looks like "Esprit du Tigre" Heeley ) but the basenotes are flat , losing their temper , the cedar becomes more and more important but it"s not a "sparkling" one , like "muffled" by the myrrh ... I tried it several times , always loved the beginning and always , was disappointed par our short love story ...

In my opinion, the perfume crafted by Villoresi has a magnetic and hypnotic allure. Piper Nigrum is undoubtedly a complex and intensely aromatic fragrance, almost dense, yet it never becomes overwhelming. Its spicy and resinous heart, in particular, evokes the Orient, a region on the olfactory map that has long held a special place in my heart. The composition is incredibly lively and dynamic. Despite its cool menthol opening, it quickly becomes warming, making it especially suited for autumn's gray, rainy days. It is also bold and, to me, very masculine. In summary, Piper Nigrum is a fragrance that you must experience! My rating: Highly recommended! (7/7)

A beautiful blend of sharp notes of Black pepper, clove and mint. Very refreshing, sets my head to a relaxed mood. I feel like walking trough a small garden with spices and green notes. In the drydown I smell sweet amber too. Excellent for warmer weather. Good sillage and longevity. An ultimately masculine scent in my opinion. I really like this! P.S.: I only have a 2ml sample, but planning to buy a 50ml bottle. After two full wears, I feel fresh and confident wearing this.

Some might say that this is too full on, too much plain spice. For me, that is exactly the appeal of this scent, it reminds me of travelling in Southern India and Sri Lanka, where a step in many recipes is to roast (and use) whole black pepper corns. I am glad it manages to capture that exact fragrance without adding heavy oriental notes. Sillage is very minimal, so you aren't going to offend random people by smelling like pepper. I only wish the staying power was longer!

This was the first Villoresi fragrance I bought. I enjoyed it from the first sniff onwards. It elaborates on both the sharp, lemony top notes of black pepper and the warm musky base. It's like putting a single peppercorn under a microscope, identifying the details, playing them back slowly, loud and clear, so each element can be savoured to the full. A hymn to pepper. And why not? Sadly, this is quite hard to find for sale in the UK outside of London.

This is beyond lovely. I don't know what it is about my skin, but with almost every scent I try it smells like the paper scent, plus a whole bunch of vanilla. Weird. With Piper Nigrum it turned into this smoky, green, peppery vanilla that's nearly indescribable. I never thought I'd love anything more than Tea for Two, but this comes very close. The cooling effect it has on the skin is an added bonus in the summer heat.

Aromatic and minty opening with spices like pepper, anise and clove Very strong aromatic notes the kind that clear your sinuses Reminds me of a medicine oil with different herbs my parents used to have when i was little As it dries it stops being so aromatic and spicy forward and develops more resinous and a bit sweet qualities Very nice and clean experience It's giving spa vibes, definitely relaxing to wear

love this perfume! i bought this for my husband last year, he loves it as well...I found it faboulos on a man, but surprising on a woman. whenever I wear it, somebody asks to me "what is it?" and wants to know. the beginning is fresh and balsamic at the same but not in the esperidate's mood. I love this perfum at the end of the day mostly, when it becomes sweet, ambery, more comfortable

This beauty has upended my ideas about which fragrances work in the summer heat. (It doesn't have to be a citrus freshie.) The opening burst of pepper cuts through the steambath of New York in July, and what follows stimulates, refreshes and, in the dry down, soothes. I haven't met a Villoresi perfume I didn't like; a full bottle of this is calling my name.

Milky peppery and very very cozy. Smell like something from childhood. Pepper is very prominent but is not sharp and spicy rather gentle and smooth more like sweet cream. It lasts long time. Used early morning is still detectable in the evening. I recommende it for everybody who likes comforting scents not very feminine or masculine. Buy it and enjoy.