1
A modern classic
I think in some ways the best compliment I can give this fragrance is that it's NOT overhyped.
And that's really saying something, because if you spend even a few minutes digging in to fragrances online, chances are you'll come across more than one reviewer, influencer, or passionate fan breathlessly singing Naxos' praises.
Naxos is simply sublime. If I had to pick one word to describe the overall effect of this fragrance, it would be "silky". It's smooth: so, so smooth.
The only aspect that bucks this trend is the opening, which is a little playful and sparkly with the citrus and lavender opening. Something about the mix of notes in the opening reads to me as a little bit anise-y: I get a hint of licorice, or basil, which fades within 10 or 15 minutes.
Once that hit of fruit and herbs in the opening starts to bow out, you sink into the heart and soul of Naxos: honey and tobacco. And what a mellifluous soul it is.
Neither note dominates in the blend, although I do think it leans a LITTLE more toward honey than tobacco. This is more like pipe tobacco without any smoke to it - jammy, vanillic, intoxicating.
Naxos is sweet, but not sugary. It's rich, but not cloying. It's deep, but feels somehow quite light. It dances on the edge of powdery without ever tipping too far in that direction.
It is, in a word, gorgeous.
The lightness of Naxos makes it surprisingly versatile. I can't think of a single other "honey and tobacco" fragrance that I would dare suggest wearing in warm weather, but Naxos has enough sparkle and loft that I think it can work (maybe not a boiling hot summer day, but certainly a warm evening).
Longevity, projection, and sillage are unimpeachable: it holds on for hours and projects a perfectly polite and ethereal cloud throughout. The bottle is beautiful and typically Xerjoff: a little over the top but in the best way.
The only knock I can give it is on cost, but honestly, I feel like it earns the price tag.
It's an absolute masterpiece and a cornerstone of my collection.
And that's really saying something, because if you spend even a few minutes digging in to fragrances online, chances are you'll come across more than one reviewer, influencer, or passionate fan breathlessly singing Naxos' praises.
Naxos is simply sublime. If I had to pick one word to describe the overall effect of this fragrance, it would be "silky". It's smooth: so, so smooth.
The only aspect that bucks this trend is the opening, which is a little playful and sparkly with the citrus and lavender opening. Something about the mix of notes in the opening reads to me as a little bit anise-y: I get a hint of licorice, or basil, which fades within 10 or 15 minutes.
Once that hit of fruit and herbs in the opening starts to bow out, you sink into the heart and soul of Naxos: honey and tobacco. And what a mellifluous soul it is.
Neither note dominates in the blend, although I do think it leans a LITTLE more toward honey than tobacco. This is more like pipe tobacco without any smoke to it - jammy, vanillic, intoxicating.
Naxos is sweet, but not sugary. It's rich, but not cloying. It's deep, but feels somehow quite light. It dances on the edge of powdery without ever tipping too far in that direction.
It is, in a word, gorgeous.
The lightness of Naxos makes it surprisingly versatile. I can't think of a single other "honey and tobacco" fragrance that I would dare suggest wearing in warm weather, but Naxos has enough sparkle and loft that I think it can work (maybe not a boiling hot summer day, but certainly a warm evening).
Longevity, projection, and sillage are unimpeachable: it holds on for hours and projects a perfectly polite and ethereal cloud throughout. The bottle is beautiful and typically Xerjoff: a little over the top but in the best way.
The only knock I can give it is on cost, but honestly, I feel like it earns the price tag.
It's an absolute masterpiece and a cornerstone of my collection.