Piper Nigrum (1999)
by Lorenzo Villoresi

Masterpiece by LV. Pepper, spice and everything nice. Smells very unique, but in a very comforting And invigorating way. I find it difficult to find occasions to wear Piper Nigrum, but when I do, it is always a special event. Great stuff!

30th July, 2011.

It's late august and we are going swimming. Our bags in one hand, cone of mastic flavored ice cream in the other, we climb over the rocks, wiggling our tiny bodies once in a while to keep our balance. As we begin leaving the crowded beach behind and beneath us, a most welcome wind carries to me the scent of the island. A goat's bell tinkles up the hill.

As I finally reach atop the hill, I wait for the ones behind to climb up and I watch the island below and around me. On this hill where only goats and children walk, I feel like a conqueror. The trail ahead is long and is riddled with wild plants. Some prickly, some like velvet, some parched and dry and some green. I don't yet realize how much I like them, except for the oregano bush.

As a dozen feet kick up dust in the misty air, I bite the last piece of the icecream cone, as it runs down my mouth and stickies up my hand. I run my hand over the oregano bushes as I walk by, and take it to my nose habitually.

Walking towards the hidden cove without a care in the world, I feel warm and cool. Not knowing it is soon to be a bittersweet memory.

25th April, 2011.

I first sampled this fragrance years ago at a dear little boutique in Toronto that sadly no longer exists...which is even more disappointing given that it was the only one here that carried Lorenzo Villoresi's brilliant masterpieces. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a bottle of Piper Nigrum while in Italy last year, and there is an interesting story behind it. I travelled to Lorenzo's headquarters on Via de Bardi in Florence, expecting it to be a sales boutique. What I did not know was that it was more akin to his private office space, where he has a workshop and also a sitting room for his customers with a stunning view of Florence proper and the Arno River. It was one of the most unique perfuming experiences that I have ever had! I also bought Alamut for my mother. With respect to Piper Nigrum, it is certainly one of his best, although it must be said that all of his fragrances are pure genius! This one opens with a hit of herbs and spices, settles into a heart of more herbs and spices, and dries down to an incensy-ambery base. It truly does provide the mental imagery of being in an Arabian marketplace when one wears this fragrance...extremely exotic! It is also very subtle, as opposed to loud or overpowering, which I appreciate from this genre of scent. At times, I detect a faint aroma of being in a sauna, with the steam emanating from the rocks creating a unique scent, but more often I am provided with that wonderful Arabesque market vibe, or of being in a very old church with incense being dispensed. A true work of art in perfumery--utterly timeless!!!

24th April, 2011.

I quite like Piper Nigrum but I've a big problem with it in the drydown. It opens with an HUGE amount of pepper, mint and citruses for an almost breathtaking quasi-balsamic effect. I also get anis and rosemary somewhere. It's a good start, definitely. After a few minutes you realize there's a fight going on between pepper and mint to lead the drydown but a consistent dose of other spices and resins (helped by a tiny amber) make sure the scent turns to a warmer state and give a break to both mint and pepper that can easily take their seats in the first row. I keep on appreciating it. Suddendly "the big problem" shows up. I don't know what's responsible for that but I guess Peru Balsam together with Mint, Citruses Nutmeg, Clove and Pepper give birth to a kind of Tiger Balm atmosphere I can't stand. I don't like the "Real" Tiger Balm as I don't like any other reproduction / imitation / or kind of things. That's a real pity as the beginning was absolutely promising. I rate it good anyway as the Tiger Balm thing is very personal and someone could instead like it.

13rd March, 2011.

I don't understand that kind of scents. What's that "want to smell like a kitchen drugs?" issue?

3rd January, 2011.

For me, piper nigrum has the smell of ginger tea with cloves. Is that hot, spicy, fresh, smoky aroma that uplifts you in colder days. Maybe the weather must be very cold to appreciate this one properly.

14th June, 2010.