Piper Nigrum (1999)
by Lorenzo Villoresi

I definitely detect the pepper from top to bottom, but as it drys down it just becomes a softer spice for me. My lady friend loves it. When I left the room she couldn't wait till I came back, she wanted to call me back because she liked it that much.

In general, intense peppery scents have either fanatic friends or fanatic enemies (I always try to be neutral in this war…). The untamed and non compatible nor with the summer weather neither with the daywear use, character of this note usually creates problems to many from us. Moreover the spicy and acid smell of pepper can, depending on the background, become tedious or even repellent. Being prepared for a heavy peppery-spicy scent, I was surprised by the light, bitter and herbal opening that was really pleasant and fresh. It was also great that I could accurately recognize each one of the notes that compose the top. The acidity of peppermint prepares you for the entry of black pepper, which along with the oregano dominate the spicy heart. The more you wait, the more pleasant and warm it gets, yet still bitter. For a spicy oriental, I would expect better longevity, but its mild quality make it vulnerable to time. Not my kind of scent but a must for the pepper lovers.

One of the most daring fragrance from one of the most innovative perfumer -- I haven't found a better rendition of black pepper. This is IT, period. Piper Nigrum is one of my favorite from the Villoresi line. I really like the way it diffuses on skin, cloaking the wearer with a dry and dusty aura reminiscent of a large wooden chest containing various spices, the spices disseminating in the air every time this chest is opened. Absolutely drool-worthy. Sheerly Nostalgic [to me].

The spicy aura in Piper Nigrum is done in an acutely vibrant manner with nary any "heaviness" to bring the composition down, which is an extremely positive characteristic. Granted, the heavily mentholated opening *may* smell heavy to some, but I don't perceive it as heavy -- I perceive it as a setting stage for the symphony that's to follow. To be honest I smell very little in the way of herbs in this composition, to my nose it's a pure spice-fest -- and I mean that in a very positive way. Highly recommended to anyone who has a fondness for spicy scents.

Spectacular combination of anise, pepper, mint and amber. I love this, but more importantaly, so does my wife. I can wear this anytime, anywhere, in any season. Great price for this outstanding fragrance. Excellent sillage and longevity. Five stars.

When I sampled this I had to ask myself.. why is it I like this one so much? At the time it was one of the oddest fragrances I'd ever worn, but I was really drawn in by the combination of the spice, pepper and mint.

This is part of Villoresi's "Fantasy Fragrance" line, which I think helped me a lot with falling for it. It's a dreamy fragrance that I can't imagine wearing often (and I don't). When I do I really enjoy it, and have received many compliments.

You can't go wrong with Lorenzo Villoresi, in that the quality is certainly there and the price is reasonable. I wouldn't recommend Piper Nigrum for a fragrance newbie or someone who doesn't have an open mind. The odd time I've sprayed it and then thought.. ah, that's not what I wanted today. I wish I could say I've fully figured this one out. It's been over a year now since my full bottle purchase and I'm still finding aspects of it I love more and more. A gem.

Lorenzo Villoresi Piper Nigrum

There are scents that come along and make a big splash. Usually it is because they have something new to offer. In 1999 Lorenzo Villoresi released Piper Nigrum and this scent still has something new to offer ten years on. Piper Nigrum is the botanical name for black pepper and this is what makes Piper Nigrum different. There are many scents out there that use pepper to effect to add a bit of slap and tickle to the olfactory development. Piper Nigrum puts the pepper front and center and leves it in place for the whole development. M. Villoresi chose some other herbs to join the pepper at the top namely anise, and mint. The pepper is what you smell when you are walking through the spice section and you get to the shelf holding the ground pepper. There is an arid airy quality to the piquancy of the pepper. Add to this the tang of anise and the zip of mint and the beginning of this comes off as a trip to the spice market. The mint pulls away first followed by the anise to be replaced by woods namely the cleanliness of cedar and the creaminess of sandalwood. This along with the pepper makes for a different take on the pepper as it brings out more of its resinous, almost incense-like, qualities and it tones down the spiciness of it all. This development of the pepper continues into a classic contrast of sweet and spicy as a sweet amber pairs with the central note in the base. This juxtaposition really brings out the resinous quality of the pepper to its fullest extent. I can see why Piper Nigrum was so popular when it first hit the scene. What I don't understand is why it still isn't talked about as it has a singular quality I haven't found in any other scent I've worn to date.