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!

A work of art. It's classy, elegant, and another quality is the performance: the scent lingers even after I shower. However, it is a sexy and heavy scent, suitable to wear in the evening, in my opinion.

This is for the musk lovers. It could definitely become my signature scent as I wear it all day everyday. Love this perfume and love this brand. Paolo Terenzi you are an artist!!!

What an amazing fragrance! That scent is magical! It takes you to the fairy tale and you feel like a queen!

Yes it's reminiscent of Baccarat Rouge, but not a dupe. It has the same airy but strong structure, and the ultra dry grating woodiness. Stramonio is only slightly sweet though, I absolutely hate caramel in any shape and form, including smelling it, and this has zero of the burnt sugar note of BR 540. Very very musky, which I like, but unfortunately it's also lacking the medicinal opening of Baccarat Rouge, which might be a plus for some, but I would love to have it. Most of the time I really enjoy wearing Stramonio, but sometimes I can't stand the screechy dustiness of the base notes.

I bought a sample to see how Close to BR540 it actually is. I can tell you that in my opinion, it is closer to Mancera Instant Crush (which is also said to be BR540 clone) that the actual MFK. Since I own both BR540 and Instant Crush, I will not be picking this up. But a nice scent indeed, if you like this type of fragrances.

A more Fem fruity floral version of BR50 , i prefer it over mfks , but still the DNA is good , just i smell it too much in my area lol

sprayed like 7 times cause of how little the atomizer sprays and still got no longevity. good scent but not worth anything over $75

Seconding @tots_Eminem - This is extremely, extremely close to BR 540 especially in the opening. Unfortunately the longevity and projection were a let down. Still on the hunt for a BR 540 comparable that hits you in the face and lasts on me! * I own both the BR 540 EDP and Extrait, I'd like a perfume with similar DNA that I can spray liberally instead of feeling like I need to save it for a special occasion *

I got the same thing initially as Semyonsemyoff...2-3 years ago about Stramonio. Lol.🙂 I still remember the day it came in the mail. I opened it parked at a Walmart before I went in. I was so excited to get it. I sprayed it on, sniffed my skin and smelled nothing and I do mean my nose was to.my.skin.😳 So I went HAM! I SPRAYED and doused myself in it before I walked into Walmart! Now, if I knew then what I know now about molecular perfumes like Stramonio...I know I was in there just killing noses!😷 I won’t mention the season it was...*cough* summertime.😵 All the years I’ve had it, I thought every now and again to toss it because I smelled nothing. I tested it here and there as I bought new perfumes, I still got nothing. I recently bought some new perfumes and saw the big, heavy bottle just sitting there, so I tested it last night and voilà...I.CAN.SMELL.IT. Clear as day now and it’s amazing to me.🌞 I’ve learned with this DNA if you don’t initially come off being able to smell it, give it some time and that time varies with individuals. Some smell it sooner, some smell it later than others, and some may never smell it at all. It’s the luck of the draw. But for me, I love it and I’m glad I hesitated and didn’t toss it.🥰 Either way, easy on the trigger.💯

Aha, my signature scent since past 2 years. I am in love with this scent. I do wear it to office, to parties, to mall, to get together and to every possible place. Be it summer, winter, fall, spring, day or night, I wear it. Though, there are other 50+ scents in my collection but as soon as I get ready to leave home, I feel urge to wear it. The saffron, orchid, jasmine and carnations notes with the opening makes me feel on cloud nine immediately bringing all the liveliness, joy and freshness to me. Soon, it settles to musk, vanilla bean and ambergris bringing the spiciness and warmth that brings coziness and self confidence in me with an elegance. Lastly, the patchouli overpowers with woody accords of ebony wood. Few but well blended and well performing notes on right time makes it a happening scent. Longevity is eternal, wear it once in morning and this is going to stay around till you go to bed. Silage is enormous and this is economical too. Love this gorgeous piece!

My best gift ever. Last month, a friend of mine gifted me this on my birthday celebration. First sniff gave me the feel that this one is kind of close to Baccarat Rouge 540 with less sweetness and more of wearability. Another alternative is Ariana Grande Cloud that is cheap and sweet. But whatsoever it is, the Stramonio by V Canto is more noble, more wearable and most perfect choice. Bottle and packaging are superb too just like the beautiful juice in it. The feel is elegant, classy and superb in this floral scent. Opening notes are saffron, jasmine, carnation and orchid that settles to musk, vanilla and ambergris. Dry down is more of wood, patchouli, oakmoss and musk. An amazing fragrance which is magical taking one to fairy tales making feel confident and beautiful. Definitely a blind buy, a great gift option and a must have on shelf.

I get a blast of citrusy notes at first(lemon, bitter orange) although not listed, so strong it smells like alcohol. Then some bitter almondy notes come through - so that is Baccarat Rouge extrait DNA that I have and love. From BR 540 you get whiffs through and through all day long and days on clothes - citrusy, bittery, flowery. So imo this is not as strong or as stable as BR540, but it's a good and cheaper dupe(half price). After an hour it becomes a skin smell, haven't tested it on clothes yet. I don't get jasmine, orchid or carnations. The drydown is a very delicate flower though.

Another dupe by the dupe master money grabber, Paolo Terenzi. Very similar to BR540, just poorer longevity. If creating perfumes was an act of art, he wouldn't be copying other scents. Tom Ford, Serge Lutens, Guerlain, ELDO, Kilian and a few others are brands that are worth the hype, not this one.

Firsf whiff of this juice came off identical to MFK Baccarat Rouge 540. However, this fades into a softer vanilla-patchouli blend really soon.

This is extremly close to BR540 EDP. But the projection and Longetivity way too low. 1hour on my skin. Disappointed :(

I have parted ways with this fragrance due to very poor performance after liberally spraying it.

@FragCam: Have you tried Pure Addiction by Franck Olivier or Armaf's Club de Nuit Untold?

Wow. In this one you get a double dose of the dreaded fart musk. Buyer beware.