Bruno Banani
Bruno Banani
199 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Nutmeg and black pepper detonate immediately, their sharp bite tempered by a resinous frankincense that grounds the chaos. Within seconds, cardamom rounds the edges, creating a grey, smoky opening that smells vaguely medicinal—less cologne, more old spice rub.
As the spice settles, cocoa wood and pecan emerge with surprising softness, introducing a bittersweet nuttiness that actually plays rather well against the remaining pepper. Tagetes introduces a subtle floral dryness—almost soapy—that prevents this phase from becoming saccharine, whilst pimento rekindles the spice conversation without overwhelming it.
By the fourth hour, what remains is largely synthetic woody notes and amber, the patchouli reduced to a whisper. The fragrance clings thinly to the skin, a pale echo of its opening bravado—present if you're searching for it, entirely absent from a distance. It fades rather than evolves, ending as quietly as it began loudly.
Magic Man Bruno Banani opens with an aggressive spice cabinet turned inside out—nutmeg and cardamom form a peppery, almost medicinal preamble, whilst frankincense adds a church-like solemnity that prevents this from becoming mere cologne barbershop. There's something deliberately confrontational about the composition, as though the fragrance is announcing itself to a crowded room before anyone's asked it to speak.
The heart reveals what passes for tenderness here: cocoa wood and pecan create a nutty sweetness, though it never coheres into gourmand comfort. Instead, tagetes—that peculiar marigold note—introduces a faintly floral counterpoint that feels at odds with the woody framework, creating an interesting tension between warmth and astringency. Pimento adds another layer of spice, ensuring the composition never settles into predictability. This is a fragrance for someone who mistrusts straightforward pleasures.
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3.6/5 (130)