Alexandria II Xerjoff 2012 Parfum

Weiblich, einhüllend wie eine träge Nacht, sexy bis zum Schwindel, ein starker Trank. Süßlich und verwirrend für alle, die vorbeigehen. Lässt dich zurückkommen und fragen: WAS IST DAS?!?!! Ein wunderbares Aniidepressivum. Die Bilder selbst sind übereinander geschichtet und lassen keine Zeit für Traurigkeit... Roofy, mega ungewöhnlich... Royal!

Alexandria II is a fragrance that blends oriental richness with a contemporary twist, anchored by a peculiar use of Laotian oud combined with a rather unusual lavender opening. In fact, the composition starts with a curious mix: lavender, apple, cinnamon and rosewood. The lavender adds a powdery lift that contrasts with the gourmand warmth of apple and cinnamon. In my opinion, this head accord is what sets Alexandria II apart... it’s rare to see lavender leading in an oud-centric perfume, and it lends a nuance of brightness to the otherwise deep and woody profile.

The heart reveals rose, lily of the valley and cedarwood, transitioning the scent into a floral-woody phase that feels quite elegant. The base is where the Laotian oud becomes more perceptible (but never dominant or overpowering), along with the sandalwood, vanilla and musk. The oud here is earthy and slightly hay-like, not really animalic nor stinky. IMHO it is vaguely reminiscent of Loudo oud (courtesy of Mr Maurice), but without the chococaramelly factor.

Performance is very good. It easily lasts 10+ hours on skin, and when applied to clothing, it maintains a consistent scent bubble throughout the day. Projection is substantial for the first few hours, then settles into a moderate but persistent aura.
Seasonally, Alexandria II is versatile. While it is an obvious option in cooler weather, wearability in warmer months is manageable by containing the number of sprays. Two-three spritzes suffice for a refined presence, without overwhelming.

In summary, Alexandria II is a well-structured, oud-forward (but not dominant) fragrance with a unique lavender twist.
Do I think it is overpriced? Absolutely yes, but we have discounters and/or people who are too afraid of the Laotian oud... and will be quite keen on getting rid of their bottles :)

A beautifully dry and spicy oud fragrance, that would suit women and men of all ages alike. Classy. Sillage and longevity are good.

Lasts well and be careful- it's probably kind of loud scent for a couple of hours.

Seems a bit to me like a very potent niche version of YSL La Nuit. Not that it really smells just like La Nuit, but it has that same sort "oh so sweet and really pretty" vibe. But still manly scent.

A good casual or romantic scent. Would be too weird at work for me.

Alexandria II has never needed trends to stay relevant.

Years after I first smelled it, I still consider it one of the finest rose-oud fragrances in perfumery and easily one of the top three creations Xerjoff has ever released.

There is something timeless about it.

The combination of rose and oud feels powerful and luxurious, yet beautifully polished. It has presence, elegance and a maturity that makes it suitable for far more situations than you might expect from such a rich composition.

And Alexandria II has another quality that shouldn’t be underestimated:

It wins hearts.

There is something incredibly attractive about the scent trail it creates. It’s the kind of fragrance people remember after you’ve left, and the performance is more than capable of making sure they do.

I actually recommend spraying it on your clothes as well. The longevity on fabric is remarkable, and smelling Alexandria II again the next time you pick up that jacket or shirt can genuinely put a smile on your face.

The funny thing is, considering how highly I rate it, I don’t reach for my bottle nearly as often as I should.

But selling it?

Never.

Alexandria II doesn’t need to be one of my most frequently worn fragrances to justify its place in my collection. Some bottles are there because you wear them constantly. Others are there because you simply can’t imagine your collection without them.

For me, Alexandria II belongs to the second category.

Trends will come and go.

This one will always be relevant.

Opens with a strong soapy lavender backed by a crisp, juicy apple dusted with cinnamon and a woody base. Base notes slowly become more prominent as it dries down, becoming sweeter with a lightly medicinal lift from the oud, blending in with but never completely overtaking the top/mid. Strong projection for 2-3hr, faint whiffs many hours later, longevity 12hr+.

I'd say this was nothing like I imagined, but to be honest I never actually bothered to read reviews and build any sort of image in my head of what this was "supposed" to smell like in advance. It's excellent. I think it's extremely versatile being a fairly fresh soapy scent, not something that needs to be particularly avoided in hot weather or daytime, but it's not as boring as something like a Prada L'Homme or the typical minimalist scent because the woody base is noticeable and there's a fair bit of sweetness permeating the composition. The oud makes its presence known with the way it lifts everything else but it always stays in the background, combining its woody element with the other woody notes present and never revealing its more typical earthy/dirty, strong spicy, or heaven forbid fecal facets.