Piper Nigrum 
Lorenzo Villoresi (1999)

Piper Nigrum was the first fragrance from Lorenzo Villoresi that I smelled while in a now sadly shuttered fragrance shop in Provincetown MA. I recognized the latin name for black pepper and had to give it a whirl, and I was impressed with its arresting freshness and "pop" upon application. Yes, black pepper, in spades, pungent and bracing, but invigorating to the nose. A supporting mint and clove are what elevate this effect, but do not fear: this isn't like a visit to the dentist's chair. A panoply of other spices reach through and grab the wearer lovingly, like a passionate dance partner. I also discern oregano and rosemary in the heart, lending to this showy two-step through Lorenzo Villoresi's herb and spice garden.

The piquancy of Piper Nigrum may almost be too overwhelming for those who can only handle pepper, spices and herbs sweetened and softened into amber or vanilla rather than laid bare and raw. It does, however, satisfy my yen in a way that Serge Lutens Serge Noire did not, as I find that it transcends my threshold for acridness and comes off as unsettling (a review to come soon). Here, Villoresi does bring it to the brink, and those who are familiar with his perfumes know his knack for bringing on the spices. However, his works often have a rustic, rather than aloof character, and this is no exception, especially as the base of Piper Nigrum enters this phase of warm, dry balsams and incense. If you want a real "Spicebomb," you've got it here.

I had to go to LV in Italy for 4 samples.
Piper Nigrum arrived today. Fresh and minty and slightly powdery. Most reminiscent of Creed Viking in the opening then settles to a powdery barbershoppy powdery minty freshness. Almost medicinal but not terminally so. Longevity is good, Projection is C+. Lacks the smoothness and depth of Creed Viking. After 2.5 hours is a nice faint sweet skin scent.
Will test this on my wife as she likes the more subtle ones . Let's see if it topples Byredo's Super Cedar!
I also recieved Uomo which is a pleasant damp Vetiver. Nothing more.

Fragrance: 7.5/10
Projection: 6.75/10
Longevity: 7/10

The Procession of the Corpus Christi, Toledo BY
Arthur Melville 1890

This has the most refreshing opening I've had in ages. Pepper and mint, with some anise and clove. So it's spicy, but the mint makes it cool as well and a lovely wake up call. I cannot stand the smell of aniseed, probably due to Pernod and cider cocktails in my youth (sometimes I wonder how I made it this far...), and even the smell of anis or the taste of aniseed chewing gum sets me on edge. But when it's well blended in a perfume I've come to love it! And this is great - all of the components work together in a contrasting almost clashing burst. And it stays good, with some amber sweetening the clove. I'm still getting little bursts of peppery spice hours later. I find this one gives me the mind clearing space I often look for in more incensey scents.

It works so well on a sunny day that I'm very curious on how it will be in the middle of winter - I could be looking at this year's Christmas present to self!