Bvlgari Man Wood Neroli, A Fresh Take That Won Me Over

Bvlgari Man Wood Neroli wasn't a fragrance I immediately fell in love with. I liked the idea of it, but I wasn't sure the fragrance itself had enough personality to keep my attention. With neroli, bergamot, orange blossom, and woods, the composition sounded like something I would enjoy, but there are plenty of clean citrus fragrances that smell good without being particularly memorable. After spending more time with Wood Neroli, though, I've come taround to it.

The opening is the reason. The neroli is bright, slightly bitter, green, and extremely clean, with the bergamot giving it a fresh citrus lift. There is something very Mediterranean about it, but it avoids becoming overly sweet or tropical. The orange blossom adds a softer floral quality, while the woods underneath give the fragrance enough structure to keep it from smelling like another basic citrus cologne.

What I appreciate most is how easy this is to wear. Wood Neroli is fresh enough for warm weather, polished enough for the office, and understated enough that you don't have to worry about overwhelming everyone around you. It isn't trying to be a huge projection monster, and I actually think that works in its favor. This feels more like a fragrance you wear because you enjoy smelling it rather than because you need everyone else to notice it.

I still think it could have a little more development. The fragrance stays fairly consistent from the opening through the drydown, so anyone looking for something dramatic may find it a little predictable. Personally, I've become less bothered by that the more I wear it. The combination of neroli and woods is good enough that I don't really need it to turn into something completely different.

That is ultimately why I've become a fan of Bvlgari Man Wood Neroli. I was skeptical at first, but the fragrance kept bringing me back. It is clean without being boring, floral without becoming too soft, and woody without becoming heavy. If you enjoy fresh fragrances but want something a little more sophisticated than the typical citrus-and-aquatic combination, this is one I would definitely recommend trying.

And that's exactly why decants make sense with a fragrance like this. Wood Neroli is easy to appreciate, but smelling it on your own skin is the best way to decide whether its particular style of neroli works for you. For me, it took a few wears to get there, but once I did, I understood the appeal. This is a fragrance I would happily keep around, and it's one I'd recommend giving a few sprays before making a decision.

-Will, your resident fragrance addict