Nero
Bruno Acampora (2011)

Genre: Woods

Nice, but not especially “nero” (black). With a name like that I expected something smoky, dense, or animalic, not a trim, transparent amalgam of saffron, cedar, and sandalwood, barely sweetened by a discreet touch of amber. The overall effect is relatively dry, suave, and sophisticated. My only beef with Nero is what smells to me like an overdose of a clean, white musk that wanders into territory long since occupied by household products like dish soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent. This particular musk smells out of place among the otherwise elegant and naturalistic composition, and I feel that it cheapens Nero unnecessarily. The basic idea is good, but I would have liked it better without that musk.

Nero from Bruno Acampora is a Tuscan themed interwoven blend of ambered woods and other traditional masculine essential oil essences. Nero, being an oil based fragrance needs a good swipe of the oil in order to activate the aroma which projects less but has more intensity due to its oil base which slows the explosion of aroma into a smolder. The well balanced harmonics of the ingredients yields a warm glow, almost a pearlescent dome of honed translucent but radiant spice, amber, patchouli, saffron, musk and cedar.

Named for darkness, Nero, isn't really that dark in smell. When I think of black for a fragrance, especially an oil I expect to find coffee, cocoa, birch tar, maybe anise any of which in combination with patchouli or an animalic woudl give a very dark effect. But none of that here. The notes as listed are pretty close to what I smell as the scent unfolds which are: Citrus, saffron, cedar, patchouli, sandalwood, amber, light musk. The musk is slightly powdery at first sniff, which reminds me of tonka or benzoin mixed with a light musk. The saffron, cedar and patchouli is noticeable also and throughout the development. This is followed by the ambered musk and soft sandalwood which is almost invisible and more for back up. This is a very pleasant smelling 4 or 5 part chord of odors made of saffron / cedar / patchouli / amber / musk. At times I think I smell hints of lavender, anise or other uplifting herbs but its a slight subtlety if there at all. The parts merge into a melange accord that is very warm and nice to smell. There is an illusion of leather from the scintillating polish of the notes, without leather being really a part of it.

I can think of no other fragrances that are similar to this. However, this scent is very similar to the dry down or base notes of the two Aramis fragrances from the 80's Devin and Tuscany. The base notes of these would end with beautiful combination of cedar, amber, musk, patchouli and this combination is noticeable here. Nero is a simpler blend, and not as dense as these blends from yesterday, but there are similarities in style.

Nero is pleasant, not striking or bold, but is a solid medium toned masculine oil blend fragrance. If I were rating it I would give it a 7 of 10 - personal preferences. The fragrance is overpriced in my opinion, at $200 for 10ml. but what price is appropriate if it's the perfect match for you?

Bruno Acampora Nero, as for a miracle, has jumped like a king on the stage of my absolute favorite "go to downtown dark venues" fragrances and it is probably among my top five of the general wish list at moment. Well, we exactly know that Bruno Acampora is a glorious italian niche brand which is unfortunately slightly neglected and underrated here on Basenotes. Each one of the marvellous perfumes/oils is artistic, artisanal, pure and appointed with the most natural raw materials of the market. Many worldwide famous characters enjoyed the Acampora's creations back along the times and still nowadays. I'm lucky to own the pure essences and dealing with those is a pure bliss. Bruno Acampora himself is a traveller driven by the obsessive research of emotions and new cultures. What about Nero? Well, Nero is a real bat, elusive and dangerous. This fragrance is indeed hypnotic, "club-prive" type, luxurious, refined, lounge in style, erotic, urban and dark as the darkest of the nights. Soft sandalwood, smooth vetiver, citrus, saffron, warm amber, beastly musk, may be violet leaves and dark patchouli represent the soul of this almost sinister fragrance. The top notes appears by soon slightly sparkling and fruity in a dry way (I detect lemon and probably grapefruit). May be secret hints of red/dark fruits from the forest are hidden in the blend together with barely hinted citrus. I suppose some well appointed woodsy/incensey resins and essential oils from the forest could be included in the recipe. The note of sandalwood is central for sure but it is not the arid "woody" sandalwood we find around sometimes but an almost creamy/berrish/violet-suede type one in effect. The intensely woody/oriental and spicy aroma (with a dark indiscernible ambery/resinous subtle spark) conjures me more than vaguely the Black Afgano's type of velvety darkness but while for many the Nasomatto's one fails in quality, balance and excess of gassiness and density this one keeps up and preserves in my opinion measure and absolute raw material value. The aroma is indeed never cloying, un-natural or overly rich (creamy/ gassy) but subtle, elegant and equilibrated with a touch of final suede. This little pearl of the night appears elegant and avand-garde at once (two concepts that not easily correspond). Excellent longevity and projection.