Stramonio

I just recently took receipt of a Paolo Terenzi frag haul, and this was one of the most anticipated of the haul comprised of 5 V Canto selections + XIX March from the Tiziana Terenzi branded fragrances. I have yet to get my nose on BR 540, though I do own a 120 ml bottle of Instant Crush by Mancera. Suffice to say, the many reviews I’ve seen comparing this to both BR 540 and Instant Crush had me quite intrigued, particularly where some had noted that it seemed like a more refined take on the DNA. I can’t compare to BR, but this is in no way a clone of Instant Crush and if BR and Instant Crush are as close to one another as some say, not a clone of BR either (though many reviews comparing BR and Instant Crush have noted that inspired by seems more apt due to the fragrances going in different directions after the opening). I normally try to avoid these sorts of fragrances with so many reviews comparing them to others, but I saw just enough differentiation noted by several reviews here, and on YouTube, to keep me thinking that I wanted to try it for myself. To me, this is somewhat similar to Instant Crush, but to call it a clone would be misleading. Sure, it shares some similarities to Instant Crush, but is more different than it is alike. To my nose / mind, this is like the older, much more mature, and intellectually refined sibling, whereas Instant Crush is the younger, louder younger sibling. Stramonio is the elder brother wearing dress slacks, dress shirt with cuff links, tie, and vest adorned with a pocket square, and with the signs of aged wisdom represented by crows feet around the eyes and a beard and hair speckled with silvers. He spends his Friday evening at a posh jazz bar sipping on a fine aged cognac, wondering if tonight is the night he’ll be graced with Mrs. Right, whom he’ll settle down and live out the rest of his life in unity with another soul. Alas tonight is not the night, and he retires to his home study to nourish his mind with reading classic literature or philosophy, because he’s been around the block a few times and has come to realize that love is more meaningful than lust, and it’s better to spend time feeding one’s mind with meaning than filling one’s bed with the meaningless. Meanwhile, Instant Crush is the younger sibling pre-gaming loudly with a bunch of friends before heading to the club loudly looking for a fun night with Miss Whoever. This selection is refined, so very smooth, and I’m so happy to have it. Mancera takes up the most shelf space of any one house, with 18 bottles, so it may be fair to say Pierre Montale is one of my favorite perfumers... and I’d not take anything away from he, nor Instant Crush. I am very new to V Canto but all in all, Paolo Terenzi is the perfumer who comes in second on my list of “most perfumers by perfumer” with 8 Tiziana selections and 5 V Canto selections. This is another level take on that DNA that categorically has these fragrances related. This is the fragrance I’ve wanted for when I want to wear Instant Crush to something more formal (when the world returns to normal post-pandemic), the office (if I didn’t work remotely), a more maturely adult, or in summer heat. Instant Crush is the fall / winter / spring (or cooler New England summer evening). The opening is very similar, to me I think that’s mostly the saffron. However, the note breakdowns contain some very different directions. Instant Crush takes a left turn to fruitier and sweet with performance that pushes strongly off string for hours on end. Stramonio takes a right turn to more floral, lacks that strong sweet edge, and is far more subdued. Instant Crush smacks everyone in the nose and demands they take notice. Stramonio is more self assured and confident, and frankly, doesn’t care if anyone notices, aside from Mrs Right, should tonight be the night she walks through the door, and the evening ends with the love of his life with her head resting on his chest where she can smell this intoxicating scent that she’ll remember forever as how the love of her life smelled on the first evening they met and they were both blessed with the chemistry that comes along with meeting your life partner. At least, that’s how this one caresses my nose compared to Instant Crush smacking me clear across the face. This isn’t someone playing a cover of their favorite song and trying to say they wrote it. This is someone inspired by their favorite song, who creates a new work of musical art that may be in the same style of their favorite musician... heck, it may even be the same chord progression... but the chords are so very different in respect voicings and where on the fret board they’re playe, and a vastly different time signature. It stands

Nose Note #1063 To me personally this is one of the better dupes of BR540. This has both the medicinal saffron and cotton candy - the two iconic features. It is different, sure, but very nice and close enough. What bothers me is performance. Immediately after you spray it on - you can freely put your nose to the skin and get no burning sensation, nothing. This has very little push. Longevity is alright, but little sillage - that's the big difference between this and OG. So, in terms of scent this is on par with Armaf Untold, but longevity-wise Untold blows this out of water. 8/10

A decent, nice floral scent with the top notes of jasmine, saffron, orchid and carnation, the heart is more of vanilla, musk and ambergris whereas the dry down is all patchouli, wood, musk and oakmoss. Truly a close one of BR540 with comparative low longevity and projection and so the price is cheap too. However, it is elegant, classy and all beauty. To me, the initial an hour is more of feminine feel and then finally the woody, amber notes take over to add some masculine feel to it. P.S- Bottle and packaging are also good enough. I like this one. Must try for once!

My bottle of Stramonio arrived today. It is very close to Baccarat Rouge 540, but less sweeter option. I now have BR540 and should say that Stramonio is a bit more wearable for me. I also have Ariana Grande Cloud, which is sweeter and cheaper alternative. It is also a good option (and very affordable and cute), but Stramonio smell more noble to me. Stramonio smells more clean crystal glass than BR540 and AG Cloud. Not sure if it makes sense that something can smell glass :-). Really like it! And packaging and bottle are just amazing!

I love this perfume! To me this is a feminine version of BR540. It’s so long lasting & I actually enjoy this over the original. When you spray on skin, you can see the oil shining on your skin. It’s so potent - I love it!