Nero was launched in 2011 by Italian apothecary Farmacia SS. Annunziata.

The inspiration was: ‘A licorice-flavoured fragrance, small shops full of goodies, the magic of remaining a child.”

It opens with sparkling, bright bergamot and herbaceous dill, creating a delicate, fresh, green opening. The dill has a spicy aspect that warms Nero. As it develops, a note of sweet basil joins the dill. Their anethole aspect creates the most evocative licorice accord I've ever experienced.  A touch of citrus keeps it bright. Slowly, a note of creamy, sweet vanilla makes its way up to the licorice, making Nero irresistible. It teeters on gourmand but is held in check by the green notes. As it settles at the base, the vanilla gets stronger. It's joined by patchouli, which is sweet and woody. Musk smoothens the blend.

In Nero, the notes are so well blended that it’s comforting and soothing without any sharpness and dries down to an aromatic, creamy, elegant seducer of a scent.

For me, Nero is not the literal smell of licorice candy, but a beautiful memory of it.