Valentino
Valentino
164 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
The Calabrian bergamot arrives with sharp, almost zesty clarity, immediately reminiscent of pressed citrus pith, but within the first five minutes the coffee note begins its ascent, introducing a roasted warmth and subtle bitterness that grounds the brightness. There's a synthetic cleanliness threading through, creating an effect rather like smelling bergamot through a perfectly transparent pane of glass.
By the second hour, the coffee becomes unquestionably dominant, transforming the composition into something closer to an aromatic beverage than a cologne—you're aware of the citrus lingering in the periphery but the fragrance now smells distinctly of dark roasted beans with a whisper of herbaceous green beneath. The sweetness appears here, but it's restrained, adding roundness rather than sugaring the composition.
The vetiver finally asserts itself, though modestly, blending with what remains of the coffee into a somewhat austere, herbal-green signature that's pleasant but decidedly whisper-soft. By this stage, you're largely wearing an idea of the fragrance rather than its full presence—it's a gentle, abstract memory of bergamot and coffee rather than either note in its original form.
Uomo Born In Roma Green Stravaganza occupies an intriguing middle ground between fresh cologne and something with actual substance—though it doesn't quite commit fully to either direction. The Calabrian bergamot opens with genuine brightness, that particular citrus clarity that feels almost crystalline rather than juicy, but what makes this fragrance distinctive is how swiftly the coffee note elbows its way into the spotlight. This isn't a fleeting aromatic gesture; the coffee establishes itself as the fragrance's emotional centre, lending an unexpected warmth and slight bitterness that prevents the citrus from becoming merely refreshing.
The synthetic accord (64%) doesn't announce itself aggressively, but you'll notice it in the slightly airbrushed quality of the composition—there's a cleanliness here that feels contemporary, almost laboratory-precise. The vetiver base, whilst present, plays a supporting role rather than anchoring the structure, contributing herbal-green facets that reinforce the declared "green" element without providing the earthy grip vetiver typically offers. What emerges is something unisex in the truest sense: neither aggressively masculine nor particularly delicate, with an arid, almost austere character despite the sweet accord registering at 76%.
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4.0/5 (76)