Xerjoff Naxos is one of the most admired niche fragrances of the last decade, and one of the most expensive to buy blind. It was presented at Esxence in Milan in 2015, as part of Xerjoff's XJ 1861 collection celebrating the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, and is named after the Sicilian town of Naxos.
The notes
- Opens: lavender, bergamot, lemon
- Heart: honey, cinnamon, cashmeran, jasmine sambac
- Dries down: tobacco leaf, vanilla, tonka bean
How it wears
Naxos starts like a classic: bright Sicilian citrus and lavender, clean and almost barbershop. Within minutes the honey arrives, and that is what people remember — golden, sweet and slightly waxy, spiced with cinnamon and softened by cashmeran, a soft woody-musky material. The base is tobacco leaf, vanilla and tonka: warm, rich and long-lasting.
It is sweet, but the citrus and lavender keep it from being heavy, which is why it works for more occasions than most honey-and-tobacco fragrances. It is shared — worn by men and women — and it lasts well into the evening.
When to wear it
- Best: autumn, winter and spring; evenings; anywhere air-conditioned.
- Egyptian summer: possible in the evening, with a light hand. Midday heat makes the honey loud.
- If you like: Guerlain Habit Rouge Parfum, Spicebomb Extreme or Noir Extreme, you are in the right territory.
Why a decant makes sense here
A full bottle of Naxos is a serious purchase, and honey divides people: some find it glorious, some find it too sweet. A 4 ML decant gives you a week or two of wear — enough to know whether it is for you on a hot day as well as a cold one — and a 10 ML lasts most people a season.
Questions
What does Xerjoff Naxos smell like?
Lavender and citrus at first, then honey, cinnamon and jasmine, drying down to tobacco, vanilla and tonka. Sweet, warm and polished.
Is Xerjoff Naxos for men or women?
Both. It is a shared fragrance.
Is Naxos good for summer?
It is at its best in cooler weather. In summer, wear it in the evening and lightly.
Is the decant original?
Yes. It is poured in Cairo from an original Xerjoff bottle when you order.