Xerjoff describes Nio as “A refreshing walk through the south Italian countryside, ” and they couldn't be more right. Wearing Nio, we imagine strolling down a shady, cypress-lined lane in the height of summer, just before the sun sets. It's that special time between day and night, the time the French refer to as the blue hour. A slight breeze lifts from a nearby ocean, cooling the warm air and mingling with the fresh, herbal scent of the trees and their woody bark. Soon night will fall and the crickets will begin to chirp. We're thinking of the chilled Campari and good company waiting at the villa just ahead.
Nio opens with a mouthwatering blend of rich neroli and Calabrian bergamot before deepening into its resinous, green heart. Hints of spice, pepper, and dry cedar enliven the composition, and vetiver keeps Nio's refreshing fragrance grounded. Unlike many green, earthy fragrances, Nio doesn't fade into a vague woody shadow. Instead, it retains its refined vivaciousness for hours and hours, alternately showing its uplifting then mysterious aspects. Nio is the rare fragrance that is fresh without being jarring and elegant without being stuffy.
Neroli, Calabrian bergamot, cardamom, nutmeg, pink pepper, green leaves, cedar, gaiac wood, Haitian vetiver, Indian patchouli, amber
Perfume rating 4.37 out of 5 on Fragrantica