Alexandria II XerJoff 2012 Parfum

Disclaimer: I am an older gentleman of advanced retirement age who has applied fragrances for personal pleasure all his life. I have neither an analytical nose and professional background knowledge, nor the urge to remain as objective as possible in evaluations, as far as this seems at all possible with fragrances.

Some things in life should be encountered at the first time preferably blind, so as not to cloud your own judgment a priori by personal resentments.
On the table in front of me is a bottle of 1964 Château Margaux - a spontaneous purchase from a wine auction - and truly no special Bordeaux vintage. No 1945 or 61, and only not the legendary Margaux from the year 1900. Hadn't I already read several times that in particular the 64 is supposed to seem completely untypical Margaux?
And yet the great name remains...
On the other hand, Margaux reds in particular can develop surprisingly well, but it was too late for a blind tasting now anyway.

In other words, I was once again on the verge of pouring a veritable dose of "neurosis" in my old Moser glass. Actually, an objective assessment seemed beyond my grasp.

It's a similar story with good fragrances. If name and reputation are big enough, and far ahead, then the own expectation completely clouds any senses - which is even more valid with a higher price tag.
Disappointment and enthusiasm then usually play music in similarly rapturous realms.

Clarity, however, is gained by returning. If one returns again and again to an object of desire, then it really belongs to one. Xerjoff's Alexandria II has become such a creature for me in recent years. Its powdery sweetness comes across as anything but burdensomely heavy. Rather, it wraps the wearer in a warm cashmere blanket under which all the problems of the world seem forgotten. Xerjoff has really succeeded in transporting well-being into a bottle. If no time for a wellness day remains, or gray clouds press on the mind, then a spray is enough to smile again.

Yet Alexandria II feels familiar from day one.

I would find it idle with this fragrance to philosophize about the individual ingredients.
Each individual is undoubtedly of high quality, but more important is their interaction as a whole composition.
Yes, you can perceive the rose in the heart note, but it blends just so subtly into the amber vanilla Nirvana that any comparison with a usual flower bouquet must seem completely out of place. Like the individual instruments of a good orchestra, the ingredients play together harmoniously perfect.

Equally unfair would seem the comparison with an average designer fragrance.
They are simply different worlds.
Power, sillage, durability, expression, sensory appeal play here in a completely different dimension.
The fragrance itself becomes the protagonist. And yes - you can indeed smell the price tag.

Furthermore, you can not point out often enough that of such a fragrance a single spray is enough, while you have to respray some designer several times a day vigorously, because its durability and sillage mock any description. This relativizes the higher acquisition costs immensely.

In particular, you get with Xerjoffs Alexandria II but undoubtedly a perfume with which you can present themselves regardless of their own gender without shame at any evening gala event. It is a masterpiece of perfumers art, which I may recommend regardless of my introductory words unreservedly.

Personally, I prefer the Xerjoff Discovery Set III since its release, because in addition to Alexandria II with Naxos and Golden Dallah two other favorite fragrances from the same house are included.

Finally, I would like to mention the beauty of the Xerjoff flacons may. The sparkle of the golden caps works namely similarly enchanting as the content, and provides a real eye catcher in your own bathroom or dressing room.

Xerjoff's Alexandria II has become a part of my life, which I would only reluctantly miss, which I can not say of the aforementioned 1964 Margaux truly..