Reviews of Lorenzo Villoresi Uomo (1993)
by Lorenzo Villoresi

After reading AnthonyDG's review, I find it redundant to add my own opinion. ADG basically nailed this fragrance.

Effervescent in the opening, the champagne-like citrus is coupled with earthy and spicy notes from the juniper and sage. Florals are very background, but the vetiver is up front and center to me with it's buttery charm and hints of nut.

Once settled with woods, this flat out rocks.

I am very captivated by LV Uomo, and I think it is one of the best mens fragrances on the market. It is, I guess, a citrus fragrance, but the vetiver, neroli, patchouli; as well as seductive layer/s of rosewood and/or sandalwood, add incredible complexity, depth and an incense-like haze that is IMHO unheard of in a citrus fragrances. It is very interesting to study what Maestro Villoresi did in developing the fragrances he created in the "blue bottle" line. Hein started with Uomo and then subsequently mae the other creations in this classic line. Uomo has all the elements that he later singled out in his those creations such as Sandalo, Incensi and Vetiver, etc... There were all in that first great fragrance as an astonishing burst of creative energy with all the essential notes he loves, then inspired by Uomo, he broke them down, and singled out certain of those notes for discrete renditions in his later fragrances in this line. Most creators would make the individual fragrances and then later on in a career, add them together as a summation of the creative experience-- the final statement. Villoresi did the opposite. It is fantastic! Yet, this fragrance will not startle one; it doesn't shout its special-ness. It awaits recognition of its unique qualities. I usually associate citrus frags with the warmer months, but I think Uomo would honor the wearer anytime of the year, it is such an amalgamation of hot and cold elements, but perhaps it would be best in the variable climate of the transitional seasons, Fall and Spring. Highly recommended and treasured, now, in my collection for years.

I believe one reviewer used the word "sparkling" for this fragrance. Absolutely bang on. I think of it as a complex, much superior Acqua di Parma Colonia. This says a lot seeing how AdP is a classic. LV Uomo is a classic as well, through and through. In my wardrobe it has replaced AdP and I won't look back, personally. Very Italian insofar as the citrus/spice combo with the subdued herbal element.

The first sprays give way to herbal/citrus - verbena/lemon? Very, very nice. Then I detect the vetiver and woods, which really hold the fragrance together. Vetiver is the key player and to have the other beautiful ingredients blended with it so nicely gives Uomo complexity and class. Sandalwood, is that you? Gorgeous.

When I was sampling this fragrance at first the spice turned me off a bit. I guess it was before I understood the Villoresi "trademark" spice notes you find in most of his fragrances. I could see how someone might dismiss this fragrance because of the spicy aspect.

I purchased Uomo after purchasing LV Vetiver and can honestly say that both of these really deliver. Longevity on Uomo isn't fantastic on my skin, whereas Vetiver is above average in terms of lasting power. This isn't a concern for me. Once you wear Uomo you'll understand what I mean - it's perfectly balanced and very nicely put together. I find it's glorious in the summer.

My search for the perfect citrus fragrance continues, though I think I use Uomo as a benchmark as I continue sampling. It's something I will replace when I run out. I can also say that fans of this fragrance who use shower gel MUST try the shower gel. It's the highest quality shower gel I've ever seen - a thick, luxurious treat.

Lorenzo Villoresi Uomo lands on skin with a celebration of freshness. Smells as if one has slid thru a open lawn of freshly cut grass just before noon with the crispiness and cool nature of morning still present. in a way, it reminds me of the legendary Penhaligons release, English Fern. very similar green accords over a base of musk laden citrus. for those who have tried English Fern would know how the green notes has a kind of "bite" to it...a sort of spiky nature...which is very true to the smell of freshly mowed grass. by mid notes, mildly peppered herbal notes adds to the bite of green notes signaling a farewell to citrus notes. it’s just a pleasure to note how these notes hangs on for a long time with the oakmoss smoothening things up with woody notes over a base of Vetiver. LV Uomo is ideal for summers(all whether?) and could be a great daily wear scent.

Uomo is a very comfortable fragrance .The sweet and spicey notes

complement each other and the the woodsy warm finish lasts and lasts.

A wonderful warm weather juice which I intend to acquire post haste.

With Piper Nigrum and Yerbamate squarely in the category of olfactory parlor stunts, it's easy to slight this perhaps unremarkable but elegant and comfortable fragrance. Well-balanced between a citrus cologne and a light chypre, with an interestingly shifting incense kicker. Not the sweet incense of No. 88 but the resinous frankincense of Diptych's L'Eau Trois. Companionable but gentlemanly like an old, perfectly fitted blue sport coat. When the hand reaches in the perfume cabinet absently on the way out the door, looking for something thoughtful and comfortable, it often comes to rest on this small, blue bottle. Which, I notice, is nearly empty. Although Uomo doesn't inspire wonder or raptures, I wear it more often than anything else, especially in warm weather.

Villoresi’s Uomo! This is mind-bogglingly good. It produced an immediate DNA-lock on my system. Do you ever try a scent like that? You try it and say, “that’s exactly right! It is so satisfying, so ME!” Well that is what I’ve found here. There are two phases, each of them is excellent. The first is a very green/citrus tone. Both the top and mid notes have citrus and herbal components, and they are complex, invigorating and very appealing. They meld into phase 2, the base notes of vetiver and sandalwood. At first woody sandalwood appears, and it is dry and exotic. Then superb vetiver concludes the show, aided and abetted by musk and a bit of patchouli. I classify this as a vetiver scent, and I’d say it is one of the best I’ve tried. It captures the spicy-grassy “comfort zone” of well-done vetiver.

This is the second Villoresi I have tried and I am most impressed. There are 21 ingredients, only hinted at by the breakdown at the top of this page. From the Villoresi site:

Top: Bergamot, Petitgrain, Laurel, Lemon, Orange, Coriander, Lavender, Elemi

Middle: Neroli, Sage, Juniper,Clove, Pepper, Thyme

Base: Vetiver, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk, Oakmoss, Cedarwood, Rosemary

There is a citrusy, woody opening and then a long, light, clean, citrusy dry down that goes on and on. I am unable to discern any of the ingredients other than the orange/lemon opening mix and the cedarwood, but no matter. This is classy, sophisticated, and a perfect summer cologne.

What makes it special for me is that the citrus doesn't fade and doesn't come on strong in order to last - it lasts while being very subtle.

After a few hours I detected something like black currant, although there is no such element in its makeup.

For his debut scent, Mr. Villoresi had a real winner.

A very fantastic fragrance. Masculine and magnetic. The warm citrus neroli opens the door for deep and varied green scents that pull you up and down through a deep woodland. The vetiver/sandal/pathcouli and musk finish give an ethereal and incense like mystery to the green notes. The finish is magic. The best Villoresi so far. Like Czech and Speake's no. 88 this one has a classic men's aura about it (w/o the roses) - a great fragrance!

I had avoided Villoresi fragrances for a few years because I was unimpressed by the first one I tried: Piper Nigrum. In the last year I have been so totally impressed by the other LV fragrances I’ve tested, and LV Uomo is no exception. The opening is an excellent citrus / green accord that is clear and pure and bright. I think it’s the petitgrain that makes the citrus opening so special. The greens are there in the top and middle, and they provide a rich depth as well as a gorgeous citrus / aromatic accord—truly magnificent. The heart notes last for an impressive length of time before the rich woody base notes take over with their long lasting dry down. Lorenzo Villoresi Uomo offers delightful accords throughout its tenure—refreshing and rich with impressive longevity. What’s not to love?

Smells very similar to the original Armani pour homme but lasts longer and skips the sour (and sweet) lemon note. A sound fragrance but to my mind not as fascinating or compelling as Villoresi's later masterpieces. The main plus are the extra body products (lotion, bar soap, etc) that are available, all of excellent quality.

I own few citrus scents as I typically find them too ephemeral; however, LV's Uomo is a fantastic citrus blend that combines the herbal nuances and citrus notes perfectly to result in a long-lasting citrus scent that has unbeatable character.