Nio Xerjoff 2009

No, it's not quite as "bad" as that.. but that's what happens when you have the highest expectations for something.. the "disappointment" follows closely! I get along quite well with the style of XerJoff, whether it's 40 Knoten, Comandante, or Fars, I've found them incredibly enjoyable.. so the Shooting Stars collection shouldn't fall short.. or should it?!
So.. the top note is brilliant.. lemon and orange peels, herb-green, extremely zesty, slightly bitter, authentic.. and of excellent quality.. the wonderful neroli note adds to it! I didn't expect such a citrus bomb!!! No trace of spices (yet)... the freshly peeled and sliced fruits are just too overpowering! The extreme finesse excites me.. these are definitely "Fars genes".. insane.. from a perfumery perspective, Nio absolutely captivates me.
Unfortunately, the olfactory experience from an emotional standpoint leaves quite a bit to be desired. You simply recognize the top note from countless fragrances... and over time, a somehow light oriental note sneaks in, which creates a contrast and prevents the scent from appearing too fleeting... not unlike Sicilian Wood by Tom Daxon.. I prefer the contrast there as well.. 75€ less too;-))! It becomes increasingly floral, spicier... a touch exotic.
Yes, Nio is multifaceted and yet somehow not.. grandiose fragrances don't necessarily have to be complex, Aventus is a very good example of that, but especially with the Oud Stars and Shooting Stars collection, the expectations are simply higher.. perhaps that's also a bit due to the price. Not to be misunderstood, Nio is an absolutely wonderful scent, of the highest quality, but it never truly grabs me... only the technical side. The longevity beyond 6 hours can also convince me, the sillage is wonderfully strong, but the whole experience doesn't take me on a journey.. it doesn't let me indulge.. like, for example, with Fars.. Nio only creates weak images.
Conclusion: An extremely pleasant scent that doesn't do anything wrong.. but it doesn't push the right buttons for me to part with 215€... but that's something everyone has to decide for themselves!