The name Terroni, a not-so-cordial nod to southern Italy and its volcanic soil, couldn’t be more fitting... not only along the scent itself but also around Gualtieri's typical marketing levers. For starters, I'd define this as an elemental fragrance that feels like it was forged (macerated?) in the Vesuvius ash and aged in scorched wood. Just by looking at the bottle's cap, which portrays lava stone, you can get the hint: Terroni is not for the faint of heart... and I’m genuinely glad I didn’t test it during my early “showergel” phase.
The opening is smoky, like the charred edge of a Neapolitan pizza crust left just a second too long in a wood-fired oven. But beneath that burnt crust lies a resinous sweetness. Raspberry and earthy patchouli emerge early, giving the scent a "dark fruitiness" contrasting the smoke. There’s also a molten, almost metallic warmth that evokes lava cooling into rock. As the scent evolves further, the sweetness recedes and the earth takes over. You get dry woods, scorched soil, and a mineralic undertone that feels almost geological.
The drydown is smoother, but still grounded in that earthy DNA. A touch of vanilla and tonka adds a subtle warmth, but never tips the fragrance into a comfortable territory. Performance is exactly what you’d expect from Orto Parisi (a.k.a. Orto Pretzy): substantial. Like Megamare and Risvelium, Terroni projects assertively and lasts well over 10 hours on skin, way longer on fabric.
In terms of comparisons, Terroni shares some DNA with Black Afgano Extrait de Parfum, particularly in its smoky, resinous character. It also echoes the dark fruit and woodiness of Interlude Man, though it’s less baroque and more elemental.
I’d want to rate Terroni higher, but I always try to include a reflection on the scent's versatility, which is limited here - despite the evocative composition. For those who are emancipated from the clean and fresh and are ready to explore the raw and the rooted, Terroni is an (almost) necessary next step worth taking. Try "Maahir Black Edition | Lattafa / لطافة", if you want to preserve your wallet.
