Tony Iommi Monkey Special Xerjoff 2021

Honestly, I don't even know where to start; this might be the first and only time that I just start writing aimlessly about a fragrance that I can happily say: I have found it.
I pondered for a long time whether and how I should describe/review this scent, but primarily I just want to write about this fragrance because I like it SO much that I can only warmly recommend to everyone out there: try this scent, smell it directly on your skin, and above all, give it multiple chances, because:

The opening is loud. VERY loud. It is so incredibly loud that my delicate nose was completely overwhelmed at first. I could now list all four top notes and say "Yes, this note is decisive for that, and that for this, etc.", but as I see (or smell) it, a combination of all four notes creates this aggressive, spicy, and above all piercing start. The Balkan Geranium is responsible for the spicy-aromatic mood, and believe me, it is very spicy! However, this spiciness shocked me so much because I only know or rather like sweet partners of spicy notes. The Geranium is spicy-bitter, and its partner is not sweet but piercing and masculine: the Rum.
And wow, what a Rum it is! Imagine you walk into a rum distillery at 40°C and hold your nose over a rum barrel (at least that's how I imagine it). The Rum thus takes on the piercing quality and is accompanied by a very light citrus note of bergamot. After a few minutes, the passion fruit also makes an appearance and rounds off the piercing initial experience together with the cinnamon.
In summary, I can say in retrospect that the opening of Xerjoff Tony Iommi really surprised me; the first time I sprayed it, I was even disappointed. However, I can only advise everyone not to leave the fragrance aside if the opening disappoints. I would describe this perfume like a person you can't stand at first, but then you get to know them better and a very nice friendship develops.

Alongside the cinnamon, which counters the piercing, spicy beginning so well, leather and patchouli now come into play, and there is a back and forth: The (?) patchouli brings back a bit of bitterness but at the same time something very sweet, reminiscent of bittersweet chocolate.