Notturno Fiorentino Bois 1920 2010

The fragrance pyramid looks so harmless, so simple, so unembellished, so structured. Fresh-berry opening, floral-spicy heart, sweet base. But what the contents of this bottle do on my skin and in my nose blows me away, knocks me out, and carries me off to a dreamland. By the way, it’s a bottle that I find stunningly beautiful: the typical Bois hand grenade in shimmering bright pink with a wooden cap, which is iconically and patinated painted in gold. Striking.

Unfortunately, this mini-series is also disappearing from the market: the Knockout Rose (Kimono Rose), the Knockout Vanilla (La Vaniglia), and indeed this Knockout Berry. Three very special fragrances that have created particularly beautiful and particularly excitingly wicked-sinful perfumes from a simple and rather traditional theme (rose, vanilla, berry).

The Florentine Night is my personal winner from the mini-series because these berries have been processed in such hypnotically delicious ways that I have never smelled before. It’s all so sweet and berry-like, a bit fresh and cool, and above all so deep and sensual that I suspect even more ingredients than those listed above. Freshly sprayed, I smell patchouli, which isn’t supposed to be there. Could it be the pepper that is responsible for this dark, mysterious note? In any case, this strong opening surprises from such an innocently pink bottle. A spiced sweetness is right there, black currants, juicy, full, ripe, lush. A fresh waft runs through the entire composition and prevents a sweet stickiness. Bergamot in the top note, dewy fresh flowers in the heart, and a fine wood in the base ensure that this berry sin always feels a bit fresh, airy, ethereal, and cool. Alongside all the depth, there is a three-dimensionality that never overlooks the airy spheres. Despite all the sweetness, the fragrance never feels heavy like compote, but airy and light like a mousse. Extremely fine amidst all the fragrance density and extremely high quality. I also suspect a bit of amber in the base, although the tonka bean already gives everything it has to offer. A creamy richness, through which a warm-amber note still flashes. The berry fruitiness remains until the delicious finish. Jasmine and especially the distinct rose in the heart are perfectly tuned supporting characters that set floral accents without the fragrance losing its gourmand character. There’s hardly any development in the scent, and it doesn’t bother me at all. Notturno Fiorentino is immediately there, right on point. Delicious-sensual-berry-light-deep-fresh-warm-silky and incredibly tasty. Grandiose.