Fuoco
Antica Farmacista

Of the ten or so Antica Farmacista fragrances I have tested, this is unquestionably my favorite. It shows my prejudice for spicy woods. Il Fuoco di Lustro (Lustrous Fire) is a warm spicy wood fragrance that seems to have thought about becoming a gourmand when it grows up. It's sweet and spicy and woody and (a bit) smoky and (definitely) dark. I don't care too much for the opening because it has an unusual slight synthetic undercurrent reminiscent of the metallicness of a marine accord. But the opening doesn't last long enough to worry. The mid notes are spice, or I should say SPICE. They are quite strong in proportion, but not in what I would call strong in delivery. The scent is actually more on the subtle side than not. Cinnamon and ginger dominate to my nose with a nutmeg background. It's a very sniffable accord, but, as nice as it is, it is not as good as the drydown. The drydown is wood and amber / musk… specifically sandalwood with a bit of aoud, cedar and patchouli… with just enough amber musk to keep it from going too dry. I love the drydown and it has good lasting power on my skin. My main annoyance is that I cannot find Fuoco in a size smaller than 250 ml.